This flagship award, which is so dear to the bank, was held at a colourful ceremony held at Dunas Hotel formerly TRRC Venue in Kotu. The annual award celebrates excellence, discipline, perseverance and the limitless potential of Gambian youth.
Of the top-ten student performers in this award, six comes from Mansa Colley Bojang UBS with others from Bright Star Basic Cycle, Ann Mary Revier Basic Cycle School, and Charles Jaw Memorial Academy.
Each of the students received a cheque for D20,000, a tablet, T-Shirt, a diary book and pens. The school with the highest number of students in the top ten also received D20,000. In addition, students with overall best receive D15,000 from the bank. Other cash prices were given to deserving students.
Addressing the event, Muhammed Jabbie, a prominent Gambia educator who was a member of the Gambia Conference of Principals, on behalf of the chairperson of Conference of Principals, spoke highly of the initiative, expressing appreciation and thanking the bank for the initiative.
Mr Jabbie also acknowledged that it was a rare event for the Conference of Principals, saying the bank could have chosen students who have finished grade twelve.
He also made an overview of the students who passed through the initiative, some of which, he said, are excelling in their various fields across the globe.
He commended the awardees and encouraged other students to aim bigger and higher and to help contribute to the socioeconomic development of the country.
Sang Gomez, representing the West African Examination Council (WAEC), expressed appreciation on behalf of WAEC and to be associated with this annual event in which excellence in education is celebrated.
On behalf of the registrar and the head of National Office, he commended Trust Bank Plc for its continuous recognition and celebration of excellence in education.
To this end, Mr Gomez spoke about the criteria for selection of the 10 best performing students, saying it is divided into three stages; stage one, candidates must have start the examination for the first time; stage two, candidates must obtain grade one in at least seven subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, science, Social and Environmental Studies and that one subject in each group of B and C.
‘‘Subjects under group B are general subjects and they comprise French, literature and literature in English, Christian Religious Knowledge, Islamic Studies, and Physical Education. Subjects under group B are Technical and Vocational subjects and include Agricultural Science, Home Economics, Arts and Crafts, Woodwork, Metalwork and Technical Drawing.”
This, he said, actually shows that awardees need to have a holistic education and the need to incorporate in them all those subjects.
The WAEC official spoke about the need to nurture and celebrate excellence in education, saying it makes these young boys and girls dream big, making them aspire to become great scientists, innovators and engineers that the country need to drive society forward.
He also spoke about the need to take a stance against examination malpractices in the country, noting that the menace is criminal and that those found wanting should be prosecuted.
In her remarks, Trust Bank Plc Managing Director Njilan Senghore described the day as one of the most meaningful days in their calendar of events at Trust Bank as it allows them to celebrate something truly priceless, with excellence, discipline, determination, and the limitless potential of young Gambians.
“To our awardees seated here today, congratulations! This moment belongs to you. Every late night of studying, every sacrifice, challenge overcome, and every amount of effort has brought you here and that today the entire Gambia celebrates you,” she said.
To this end, she salutes the tireless efforts of parents, guardians and teachers, saying that behind every outstanding student there is a village of people who believed in them long before the awards.
“Your patience, guidance, and unwavering support made this moment possible. When I look at these young awardees, I do not just see students with excellent grades but the future of The Gambia.”
This year’s result, she said, once again tells a very interesting story and that out of the top performers on the 2025 GABECE, girls continue to dominate the scene.
This, MD Senghore explained, shows remarkable achievements and strong trend of female academic excellence in the country.
Ousman Bah, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, on behalf of the Minister, extended congratulations to the award recipients for their exceptional academic achievements.
“Your hard work, discipline, determination and commitment to excellence have earned you this well-deserved recognition,” he said. “Today’s ceremony is not only a celebration of academic success, but also a reminder that excellence, perseverance and integrity continue to be rewarded in our society.’’
To this end, DPS Bah extended special commendation to parents, guardians, teachers, principals and school authorities, whose guidance, encouragement and sacrifice, he added, “contributed immensely” to the success of these brilliant young learners.
“Your support continues to shape the future leaders of tomorrow of our country,” he said.
DPS Bah also spoke about the Ministry’s appreciation, saying it values the longstanding partnership and commitment demonstrated by Trust Bank towards the promotion of quality education in The Gambia.
For over two decades, he maintained that this Excellence in Millennium Awards has remained one of the most consistent, respected private sector initiatives supporting academic excellence and motivating students across the country.
This initiative, he added, clearly demonstrates that education is a shared responsibility and that sustainable national development can only be achieved through strong partnership between government, the private sector, development partners, communities and families.
The event also saw cash presentations to individuals who contributed to the growth of the annual initiative.
The event was punctuated with entertainment by sibling stars -Barhama and Maryan Cham and fast-rising star – Molze.
