•Henry Akahara Photo: Sun News Publishing

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At a time when the image of public schools is at its lowest ebb, a Lagos State pupil, Henry Akahara has done Nigeria proud.
Which was why every one was in a happy mood that Thursday morning when Daily Sun visited his school, Government College (senior), Eric Moore Road, Surulere.

The principal, teachers, students and others were all happy that Akahara, a-17-year-old SS3 student of the school won a youth parliamentary debate in the House of Commons in the United Kingdom, which featured 200 students from 60 countries.

Akahara, who is the school’s social prefect and hails from Ikeduru-Amasa Local government Area of Imo State, participated in the debate through the British council’s project:

Dreams and Teams
Giving an insight into the project, Mr. Olatunji Mustapha Ogunbambi, the Dreams and Teams tutor in the school, said the project took off in the school in 2004 with the aim of inculcating leadership qualities in young people through sports.
He explained that the pilot project started in the school with 20 students who were given leadership training and in turn asked to train those in the junior school and primary school.

According to him, last August, the 20 young leaders were given the opportunity to participate in an essay competition with the topic, Modern slavery. He said: "They got the topic, wrote and sent the essays on their own, later, the officials came to the school and asked them to write on the spot and speak about it too. Eventually, the best essays were picked. The project is also run in some selected schools in Lagos and in other schools across the country. And the members also participated in the competition. Henry and another girl from a school in Lagos had the best essays in Nigeria, so they had to represent the country."

Expectedly, it was not a smooth ride. Explaining how he put the winning essay together, Akahara, who is the first of his parent’s two children, said: "I went back home, carried out some research, went to the net and got some points and built on those points. I was always on the net to the extent that I was branded a yahoo boy.

I was not sleeping when my mates were sleeping, I was trying to get all the information on earth on modern day slavery. Sometimes, I would stay without food just to make sure I gather more materials. The first week, I lost some weight and I told myself I had to do this thing. Some of my friends were telling me to take it easy. But something kept pushing me on to work hard and I told them I wanted to win."

On his experience in the United Kingdom, he said: "It was challenging because most of the students over there have big stature. What we hear is that they are also very good, it almost made me intimidated, so I had to look for ways to make an impact too. They gave us an impromptu topic to speak on and by the grace of God, I came out tops".

Akahara says he is overwhelmed. "If I say I am happy, it is going to be an understatement. When I was announced the winner, I would say I died because I could not believe my eyes, ears and everything. But all the same, I know it is the Lord’s doing and I am grateful."
The handsome boy, who intends to study food science and technology, advised other students to always pursue their dreams and work hard.

His words: "No matter where you are or the situation you find yourself, hard work will always bring out the best in you."

The principal, Mrs. Betty Folawiyo Adepoju could not hide her joy. Beaming, she said: "I feel highly delighted and fulfilled.

Mrs. Adepoju said the news did not come to her as a surprise because "the boy is highly talented and unassuming in his academic abilities. He has been a bright boy right from his SS1".
According to her, achieving success in the public school system depends on the child and the calibre of teachers on ground. Her words: "The best of the best are in public schools. What has happened has shown that the private schools are no better than the public schools in Lagos State." She urged parents to allow their children to engage in extra-curricular activities after school hours.

His class teacher, Mr. Olamide Oladipupo Salako spoke in the same vein. He said he was not surprised at all "because Henry has always shown leadership qualities and is multi-talented. Mr. Salako, who was one of the recipients of the National Bournvita Teachers’ Award for 2007, said: "I feel on top of the world. I am happy that the best teacher has produced the best student."

He debunked the claim that private schools are better than public schools. His words: "To be candid with you, it is absolutely wrong to say that private schools are better than public schools. If you check the records, the teachers in the public schools are better qualified. They are trained teachers, you hardly find an unqualified person in the teaching profession in public schools and that you find in abundance in private schools."

Akahara’s classmates also spoke glowingly about him and are proud of him for bringing honour to the school.

Nnoyelum Chinedu said:
I feel happy for him and he deserves it. In class here, he has performed excellently and we are all trying to emulate him."

He described him as a very intelligent and quiet boy.
He said the award has brought recognition to his school and he is happy about it.
Christopher Akpan Idongesit, 16 years and in SS3, also described the award winner as a nice person to be with. He said the award means a lot to him and the school.

Before the finals in the United Kingdom, in October last year, Akahara and his co-contestant had defeated other participants drawn from the three geo-political zones across the country. He left with the school’s blazer which was provided by the old boys’ association. After winning the competition, he presented it at the British House of Commons.

While receiving Akahara in his office penultimate week, Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunji Fashola, SAN described the award as a great feat which should be celebrated throughout the world. The governor said he had expected the foreign media to celebrate it on the pages of their newspapers as they have always done with negative reports.

His words: "If he had broken a law in the United Kingdom where he won the competition, he would have made headline news. We have not rolled out the drums to dance and make merry at this exemplary demonstration of innate Nigerian genius. However, he has done our nation proud, he deserves to be celebrated"

The governor announced a scholarship award up to university level for the student. He also presented a lap top to him.

Akahara, whose father, a police Inspector accompanied him to Alausa, presented the gold medal he won to the governor.