Meet the 16-year-old Nigerian from Akwa Ibom who made 9 straights As in his West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Achieving straights As in senior secondary school leaving exams is not an easy feat. Our Teenspiration did exactly that and more! He had 9As in the WASSCE exams and a score of 343 in the JAMB University Matriculation Exam. In this interview, he shares his motivations for excellence and shares his secrets on how to replicate that feat!
Can we meet you?
My name is Valour Mbre Inyang, from Eket LGA in Akwa Ibom State. I was born on 15th May 2006. I am the second child and first son in a family of four children. I have an elder sister and two younger brothers. I had my primary education at Dove international nursery and primary school, Uyo, and then proceeded to Topfaith Secondary School, Mkpatak, Essien Udim L.G.A. I grew up in Akwa Ibom state and both schools are situated there.
How did you feel when you learnt that you had aced your WASSCE examinations and had an outstanding score in WAEC?
I was elated when I got the news of my outstanding result. That morning, I got several calls from my colleagues and class teacher congratulating me. My Dad then checked it online and confirmed it. That was one of the most exciting news for me. I was so happy that my efforts paid off.
Was making 9As in your WAEC, a goal you set for yourself? Or it just happened?
Yes. Making the 9 As was actually a goal I set for myself right from when I started secondary school. I was very intentional about it and I worked seriously towards achieving it.
What were the sacrifices you made to achieve those goals?
I made several sacrifices. First and foremost, my parents used to tell us that there is time for everything. They taught us how to prioritize things and always say we need to know what is important per time. I love football and enjoy playing it but I had to put my academics first knowing that I will play when I am through with my exams.
When we were growing up, my mum used to tell us to make friends with the high fliers and that was one of the first things I did. My close friends were mostly people that challenge me academically and we used to study together.
I was in a boarding school, and I had a personal timetable for study. I made sure I revised every topic taught in class before the end of the week, no matter how trivial the subject. I will also read them in textbooks and get more knowledge on it so that when I am writing a test, I will answer the questions and add a little more than what was taught in class. Though I had a flair for some subjects, I considered all subjects as important. I prepared for each test the same way I would prepare for an exam because I knew that everything would add up as part of the continuous assessment towards the final score.
What are your thoughts on practice (e.g., for exams) and how vital is it?
Practicing for an examination is very vital to success. You will never know how much you have retained from studying unless you challenge yourself by attempting to answer questions. Past questions also help you to simulate exam situation by timing yourself and seeing how many questions you can answer within the time frame. My parents made it a priority in getting the past questions for me and I believed they helped me achieved the level of success.
Make friends with like-minded people. Remember the saying, “show me your friends and I will tell you who you are?” It is very true.
Valour Mbre Inyang
Who would you say has had the most impact on your life till date and why?
I would say my parents. They have had a very huge impact on my life. Apart from taking care of me and my siblings, they have also constantly encouraged us. They have taught me that nothing is impossible for a determined person, and I can be whoever and whatever I set my heart to become. They taught us the fear of God and how to trust Him. My faith was a key factor to my success in the exams. My parents are believers, and my father is a Pastor. We were brought up in the ways of God and my Dad always taught us to study the Bible every day to help our mental capacity to retain knowledge. Before any exam, I pray and ask God to give me wisdom, speed and accuracy and He has never failed.
Set your priorities right. Whatever you do, let your academics be at the fore front of your mind. Study to understand every subject and prepare for each test as if it was the final exam.
Valour Mbre Inyang
Are there any projects you are currently working on? If there are, please tell us about them!
I am currently working on myself, reading books, building up my knowledge base and learning new languages.
So, what’s next for you? Have you started applying to universities? How has the experience been?
Yes, I have started applying to several universities and it is a new experience as I learn to navigate through brochures to get something tailored to my inclination.
Can you tell us some of the most impactful books you have read?
There are several authors that have inspired me. We have a huge library at home and during holidays, my mother will make us read some self-development books. The ones that really impacted me are books by Ben Carson like Gifted Hands, Think Big and The Big Picture. I have also read No Excuses by Brian Tracy and Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.
There is a growing alarm on the use and abuse of social media by teenagers. How do you manage attention to social media?
My parents made us understand that there is time for everything. While in secondary school, I only used my phone during holidays. We had what my mum called ‘Screen time’. During the holiday periods, after morning chores we will first read either our school books, novels or self-development books usually assigned by my mum. Thereafter, we will have screen time where we will have access to our phones or watch television. This has taught me some form of self-discipline especially towards social media.
Know that there is time for everything. Social media can be very distracting so don’t let it overwhelm you. Stay off social media especially when school is in session
Valour Mbre Inyang
Where do you draw inspiration to study from?
I draw inspiration to study from my parents. Both are professionals. My dad is a computer scientist, and my mum is a medical doctor. They love reading and taught us same. Sometimes when I feel tired and discouraged, I will remember my mum and how she reads and this will spur me up. Also, I heard of a Nigerian teenager who got all A1 and had several scholarships, Miss Yinka-Banjo and this really motivated me to study more.
Besides studying, what other things interest you?
I love playing and watching football. I also love word games like Scrabble
What are your future ambitions?
I want to be a mechatronic and robotics engineer in future. I know I have so much to offer to my generation and I believe that the Almighty God will guide and lead me to fulfil this mandate.
What is your advice to other teenagers who are aiming for great academic results?
My advice for other teenagers who want to achieve academic excellence are these; First and foremost, acknowledge God in all that you do. He created you and knows your capacity. Secondly, set your priorities right. Whatever you do, let your academics be at the fore front of your mind. Study to understand every subject and prepare for each test as if it was the final exam. Know that there is time for everything. Social media can be very distracting so don’t let it overwhelm you. Stay off social media especially when school is in session. Most especially, make friends with like-minded people. Remember the saying, “show me your friends and I will tell you who you are?” It is very true.
