Six young Bayelsans who were chosen in 2016 for a scholarship program run by Her Majesty, Dr. Josephine Diete-Spiff, the Queen of Twon-Brass Kingdom in Brass LGA, have emerged as the top graduating students in the 2022 West Africa School Certificate (WASC) exam.

In 2016, the following children were enrolled in the scholarship program: Ifiemi Ayebanengimote Bonnie; Ogbulu Wanaemi Fiberesima; Seigha Abraham Ingonabo; Augustine Preye Paige; Ababo Naomi Ota; and Azazi Peter Kingsley. These pupils were admitted to JSS 1 at Titare Academy in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

It was learnt the six students won the scholarship after participating in a keenly contested examination for primary school children who were drawn from each household in Twon-Brass and desirous for academic excellence but are hindered from furthering their education irrespective of their level of intelligence.

This was one of the many accomplishments Mrs. Diete-Spiff has made over the years in her unwavering efforts to combat issues of gender-based violence, cultism, and poverty by empowering and educating boy and girl children through increased possibilities for nurturing gifted pupils.

Speaking to the rising stars at their graduation ceremony, Queen Josephine encouraged them to represent themselves well in all of their endeavors and expressed hope that their accomplishments will push them to new heights and allow them to support the development and prosperity of Twon Brass Kingdom.

The Queen of Twon Brass Kingdom, in her humble words, said, “This year is special for us and my kingdom because among the graduands here today are five children from each house, taken six years ago, and trained with full educational scholarship, inclusive of free transport, boarding, and medicals.”

They arrived here as teenagers and are going as grown teens who are more enlightened, fearless, courageous, and confident in themselves, so I’m happy to say that I kept my word. I hope your accomplishments here inspire you to reach new heights so you can support Twon Brass Kingdom’s expansion and prosperity. I miss you all.

In an interview, the 17-year-old overall top student, Ifiemi Ayebanengimote Bonnie, stated that she learned about the scholarship program through her sister, who failed the exam, and that the chance was truly a blessing from God.

Ifiemi described what happened, saying, “That morning, I was sleeping in the house when my sister came back and asked my father to buy her math set.” When my father asked her what she intended to do with it, she replied that she wanted to go take the scholarship exam. My father then instructed her to get me up so that my brother and I could accompany her.

“We made the purchase of the math set. I therefore wrote the exam in this manner. When the results were announced the following day, I was among the qualifying, but my brother and sister weren’t. In the entire Brass Kingdom, there were about five candidates who met the qualifying requirements.

I’m glad I was chosen out of the three of us, and they didn’t get upset about it. I’ve had a positive experience. For me, everything has been going nicely. Her Majesty has been supplying me with almost everything I needed, therefore I have been studying well and have not been lacking anything.

Ifiemi, who is extremely passionate about her studies in mass communication at the university, also said that she set specific goals and prayed to God to help her reach them, which is how she was able to outperform the other students.

“I was working hard, I will always be in the line and I always attend classes, do my homework; that’s how I was able to do that. Ifiemi exclaimed, “I want to give other Bayelsa students advice to keep pushing, to be focused, to keep striving, and to pray to God for them to locate their destiny helper.”

Furthermore, Azazi Peter Kingsley of the Ekeremor Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, who was identified in 2016 for his exceptional aptitude in building structures out of locally available materials like cardboard, gum, and paint, stated that he had never imagined receiving a scholarship until fate brought him to Queen Josephine Diete-Spiff.

“I never knew I would get a scholarship that day,” he remarked on a Saturday that was a faithful day. A man I worked with on a project for instructed me to take it to a hotel. I took it there without realizing that Her Majesty was staying at the same hotel for an enlightenment program. I stood at the gate because there were a lot of people at the hotel when I arrived.

“I was approached by some journalists who thought I had a skill after they saw the home building I built. They escorted me to the Queen. After asking me a few questions, she offered me a scholarship to her university. She has helped me greatly, and I am really appreciative. The  school has imparted so much to me. I have gained more experience in my building construction and they have uprightly brought me up. My moral life has changed since then.”

The chance was undoubtedly a blessing in disguise for Ogbulu Wanaemi Fiberesima, who had hoped to go from the shores of Twon-Brass to a more promising setting where he would face off against smarter people.

He claimed that on test day, as he was going about his daily business, a family member called to tell him about the scholarship exam. He added that he had never heard of it before but was ready and sure he would pass if given the chance.

“I was getting ready to write another school entrance exam, so I was more prepared when the chance arose. I put all my thoughts into it, I kept every other thing aside; I was persistent concerning the whole exam. When I saw how many community members showed up for the exam, I had a small issue because I hadn’t realized there would be so many, so I wasn’t prepared. Thus, I was relieved to hear that I had passed.

“So, when they informed me of the outcome, I was overjoyed that I had been selected—at least among all the children in the town. It was more of a privilege and an opportunity. Although I was good, bright, and smart, I wasn’t the social type before I started school. I wasn’t more of a brave child either.

However, as soon as I arrived, I realized that this was a different setting where I had the freedom to speak up in front of the group and not feel the slightest bit afraid. They gave me this inner confidence that I can achieve whatever I want to do; it’s just within my thoughts. At least for now, I am where I am, and because it has given me the courage, I can talk whenever I am asked to. It has only strengthened my personality, and I am incredibly appreciative to God and Her Majesty for providing me with this chance.

Mrs Ogbulu Favour Fiberesima, the mother of Wanaemi, while expressing appreciation to God and the Queen on behalf of the parents said the whole process was a big relief for her and other parents, adding that “for good 6 years now Her Majesty came to Brass and took these children under scholarship, we did not spend a dime.

“From their uniform to their exercise book, food, and lodging, to the surprising part is that at the end of each term, she will still give them a transport fee to return to their destination for these six wonderful years,” the speaker stated.

This woman has not voiced any grievances. Not that these kids aren’t misbehaving in any way, but she made accommodations for them and tried her hardest to make sure they graduated with excellent minds and could benefit their families and the community.

“In actuality, we can’t even begin to repay her for what she did, nor do we have silver and gold to show our appreciation for her, but one thing I know for sure is that God Almighty will line her pockets wherever she must have taken this money to care for these kids.

“In his boundless compassion, God will provide for her and her children at a time when she doesn’t expect it, just as we didn’t bargain for it when we arrived on that particular day. She never separated the rich from the poor when we were there to take the exam.

“She selected them from each of the several Ama/compounds without knowing any of the kids; they all took the exam. And now look at them; they’ve completed secondary education and brought us pride.