By: Augustine Koroma
In a year marked by exceptional academic performances, Abubakarr Kpaka has risen above the horizon as a remarkable symbol of brilliance, perseverance, and youthful discipline. Today, he graduates from the University of Sierra Leone’s Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) as the Best Male Graduating Student for the 2024 – 2025 Academic Year, a prestigious honour earned through steadfast commitment and intellectual distinction.
Representing the Department of Procurement, Logistics and Supply Management, Kpaka completed his academic journey with an extraordinary Final Grade Point Average (FGPA) of 3.92, positioning him among the most outstanding students in the history of the program.
His achievement is a direct reflection of the countless sacrifices, focus, and determination that shaped his university experience.
Beyond the lecture halls, Kpaka serves as a vital member of the Procurement Department at Sunbird Bioenergy Company (formerly Addax).
His professional exposure at Sunbird greatly contributed to his development; combining corporate discipline with academic excellence.
The company’s robust training culture, aligned with the rigor of IPAM’s academic standards, molded him into a sober-minded, ethically grounded, and professionally polished graduate.
This synergy between industry and academia has equipped Kpaka with the practical wisdom and technical expertise needed to thrive in competitive global spaces.
His outstanding performance earned him a constellation of high-profile awards, underscoring the depth of his capabilities:
Best Male Graduating Student: IPAM, USL
Africell Sierra Leone Award for Excellence
Vision Digital Tech-Hub Distinguished Student Award
Maallam O. Bongolistic Achievement Award
Multiple Certificates of Academic and Leadership Recognition
Each award reflects a chapter in his journey; a journey defined by diligence, humility, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. His colleagues describe him as hardworking and focused, while his lecturers speak of a young man with a sharp analytical mind and an unbroken drive for excellence.
As Kpaka steps into the next phase of his professional and academic aspirations, his story resonates far beyond IPAM’s corridors.
It represents the untold stories of many young Sierra Leoneans who fight daily battles, financial, emotional, and societal to secure their dreams through education.
Abubakarr’s achievement is not simply a personal victory; it is a national inspiration.
His story calls upon the Government of Sierra Leone, private institutions, and development partners to pay closer attention to exceptional students like him across all universities.
The nation thrives when it invests in its brightest minds.
Empowering top-performing graduates through scholarships, mentorship programs, graduate internships, and national development initiatives will not only strengthen Sierra Leone’s human capital but also make education a true home of hope for the next generation.
Congratulations to Abubakarr Kpaka IPAM’s finest, a national pride, and a rising global asset.
His journey is a powerful reminder that with focus, discipline, and opportunity, excellence is not accidental; it’s earned.