GYB Model Science Secondary School (GYBMSSS) in Lokoja, Kogi State, has received an award from MTN Foundation and NDLEA for emerging runner-up in the 2025 MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) School Quiz Competition Grand Finale.
The event was held live on YouTube on November 18, 2025.
The students received Samsung Galaxy Tabs each, their teacher got an HP laptop, and the school received an HP Laptop, Projector, and Projector Screen as part of the awards.
Speaking during the award presentation on Tuesday at the school, Mr David Ochada, Senior Lead MTN Lokoja, stressed that MTN Foundation prioritizes the youth segment as one of their core values in humanitarian operations.
Ochada urged the students to maintain their academic excellence, and continue to be good ambassadors and advocates against drug and substance abuse.
“I urge the students to cascade what they’ve learned to other students towards building a sustainable anti-substance nation,” he said.
Mrs Zuwaira Abdullahi, the Deputy State Commander (DSC), Drug Demand Reduction (DDR), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), congratulated the students and the school for their remarkable performance.
“We commend MTN Foundation for partnering with us to organize this quiz competition, and we urge them to continue doing more,” Abdullahi said.
The GYBMSSS Principal, Chief Ajofe Yakubu Godwins, expressed gratitude to the Kogi State government, led by Gov Ahmed Usman Ododo, for their support, which has led to the school’s impressive performance in national competitions.
He also thanked the school’s stakeholders, including Dr Habiba Suleiman, Chairman, Kogi State Senior Secondary Education Board (KOSSEB), and Commissioner for Education, Hon Wemi Jones.
“Today is a momentous day, and I’d like to share our achievement with those who may not be aware. At GYBMSSS, we’re quietly making waves in secondary education.
“I’m not surprised we’re receiving awards; it’s part of our daily life here. This MTN Foundation award is our third this term alone. We’re driven by results, and we’ll continue to excel.
“The governor has given us a new momentum. He visited our school on January 4, 2025, and discussed our challenges. Today, the school has transformed, thanks to his efforts.
“We’ll continue to deliver academic excellence, as GYBMSSS stands for. Emerging second nationally is not enough; we aim to lead. We thank God for this feat,” Goodwins said.
The Principal urged his students to remain studious and calm, emphasizing that the school aims to lead in academic excellence.
The students’ teacher, Mrs Gloria Ekeh Enejoh, expressed her gladness over the award, saying, “I’m thrilled to receive this HP laptop, and I commend the organizers for bringing this life-changing initiative to our students.”
Mr Abraham Achimugu, speaking on behalf of parents, appreciated the organizers for giving their children the opportunity to explore their talents.
He extolled the sterling qualities of the management represented by the principal as catalyst to the wonderful achievement so far and appreciated government for believing in him.
Achimugu thanked the state government for remodeling GYBMSSS, saying the school has been transformed in both infrastructure and academics.
The students, Shiloba Goodnews, Rex Abraham, and Medinat Isah, expressed their gratitude to the organizers and the school for the opportunity to showcase their talents.
“It wasn’t easy, but we’re glad we made it,” Goodnews said,
The students promised to continue encouraging their classmates to stay away from drugs and make their parents, school, and state proud.
The 2025 MTN ASAP school quiz competition, a nationwide contest brought together 51 public and private secondary schools from the six geo‑political zones of Nigeria.
The program unfolded in three stages: 31 schools competed at the State level, 11 advanced to the Regional round, and the final nine (9) battled it out at the National grand finale.
The Government Day Secondary School, Borno State, topped the leaderboard, GYBMSSS Lokoja, came 2nd Position, while Yerwa Government Girls Secondary School, Borno State, clinged 3rd Position.