Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In recognition of outstanding academic achievement and dedication, Trust Bank yesterday honored Suwadou Jammeh, The Gambia’s top West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) student for 2024, with its 12th Excellence Millennium Award. The ceremony, held at the Trust Bank head office in Banjul, celebrated Jammeh’s exceptional accomplishment of scoring A1 in all her subjects.

Jammeh was awarded a certificate of excellence, a cash prize of D25,000, and various other gifts. Omar Mboob, speaking on behalf of Trust Bank’s Managing Director, praised her for embodying the qualities of brilliance and determination that the bank values.

“Suwadou’s remarkable feat underscores not only her academic brilliance but also her relentless pursuit of excellence,” Mboob stated. He recalled that Suwadou first came to Trust Bank’s attention three years ago when she topped her Grade 9 exams, demonstrating early on that she was destined for greatness. “Her outstanding performance earned her the top award in the prestigious Excellence Millennium Award from Trust Bank, an accolade given to those who exemplify exceptional talent and commitment to their studies,” added Mboob.

Demba Sawaneh, a representative from the West African Examination Council (WAEC), emphasized the significance of Jammeh’s achievement, noting that it is the result of countless hours of hard work and determination. “Suwadou’s resilience in overcoming distractions and societal influences sets her apart as the overall best student in this year’s WASSCE for school candidates in The Gambia,” Sawaneh remarked.

He also highlighted that her success is a testament to the support she received from her family, school administrators, and teachers. “Greatness is never attained in a vacuum; every successful student has a strong support network around them,” Sawaneh said, praising the moral principles instilled in her by her parents and educators.

In her acceptance speech, Jammeh expressed deep gratitude to Trust Bank, noting that this was her third time receiving the award, having previously been recognized as the best student in Grade 7 and for achieving the top result in the 2021 GABECE. She credited Trust Bank for playing a crucial role in her educational journey and expressed hope that other banks would follow Trust Bank’s example in supporting education in The Gambia.

Jammeh also thanked WAEC for their commitment to upholding high standards and her parents, Malang and Amie Khan Jammeh, for their exceptional parenting. She expressed appreciation to her principal, Mrs. Hannah Harding, and her teachers at Gambia Methodist Academy (GMA) and Deeper Life School, whose guidance she described as instrumental in her growth.

Muhammed Jabbie, Chairperson of the Conference of Principals, praised the academic achievements of girls in The Gambia, noting that Jammeh represents not only girls but also women across both rural and urban areas of the country. He expressed gratitude to Trust Bank for their unwavering support in celebrating the remarkable performance of students over the years.