Nigeria’s education sector is best by a myriad of problems. One of the plagues is examination malpractice, which seems to have gained a stronghold in our schools. But with the likes of Babatunde Tamilore, there may be silver lining in the horizon after all. The little junior secondary school girl hates cheating in the exams and counsels fellow students to desist from same because of the the ugly consequences.
Good morning, fine girl.
Good morning, sir.
How are you?
I am fine.
What is your name?
My name is Babatunde Tamilore.
How old are you?
I am eleven years old.
What class are you?
I am in JSS1
What is the name of your school?
The name of my school is De Global Passion School.
Do you like going to school?
Yes, sir.
What makes you like school?
Because my school is good and I love to come to school everyday.
What do you like in school?
I love learning, I love reading my books and I love to read ahead of class/
Are you a Muslim or a Christian?
I am a Muslim.
Do you go to mosque?
Yes.
Which mosque do you attend?
I attend Mafoluku Central Mosque.
What do you do in the Mosque?
I pray.
Who do you pray to?
I pray to Allah.
Who is Allah?
Allah is our God, who created us. Allah is the creator of everybody and everything.
Who tells you that Allah is the creator?
My mum.
Your mum! How did your mum know that Allah is the creator?
She told me that the Quran tells her that Allah is One and the Creator of everything.
How many times do you pray a day?
Five times.
Why do you pray five times a day?
So that God will protect me from evil, and for God to give me knowledge and understanding.
So, what do you like doing; what is your hobby?
I like reading.
Which kind of book do you read?
Storybooks.
Can you tell me some kinds of storybooks that you have read?
I have read the book, titled, ‘Lessons from young girls’.
Do you love Nigeria?
Yes.
Why do you love Nigeria?
Because it is my country
Do you love our president?
Yes.
What is his name?
His name is his Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari.
Why do you like him?
Because he provides new things for us and he lets us have good roads; he provides new phones.
What would you like to become?
I would like to become a medical doctor
Who is a doctor?
A doctor is a person that treats people who are sick.
Why do you want to become a doctor?
Because my mummy is a nurse and she takes care of us; she buy things for us.
What is your favourite food?
My best food is noodles.
What is your favourite colour?
My favourite colour is green.
You just finished writing your examinations right; how was your last exam?
It was fine and interesting.
Did you involve in any form of cheating?
No.
Why?
Because I don’t like examination malpractice.
What is examination malpractice?
It is when you sit beside someone and copy his or her answers or you come into the exam hall with already written answers.
What is your advice to those who engage in examination malpractice?
It is not good and it is also dangerous and it can lead you to jail and so they should read their books very well and pray to Allah for help. They should start reading their books and concentrate on their studies.
Do you have friends?
Yes.
What is the name of your best friend?
Ok, my best friend name is Bintu.
What makes her your best friend?
She is so kind.
Do you have a brother or sister?
My brother’s name is Malik and my sister is Hikimot.
Who among them do you love more?
The two of them
Why do you love them?
Because they are kind and loveable to be my brother and sister.
