Omar awarded Ernest Bevin College Naz Bokhari Award 2013
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Imran Sanaullah the inaugural winner of the Naz Bokhari Award presented the Ernest Bevin College Naz Bokhari Award 2013 to Omar Ouladissa.
Imran gave an inspirational speech to the sixth formers, before announcing the winner, he talked how the Naz Bokhari Award had changed his life and said anything is possible if you work hard enough. He then presented Omar with a crystal award and cheque for £500 to support him in his first year at university.
A surprised Omar Ouladissa said:
“I would to thank everyone for the support they have given me, the staff at Ernest Bevin College and my peers. I am not use to winning awards, this is a surprise, a pleasant surprise and I hope to do this award, the foundation and the previous winner justice.”
HRH Princess Badiya bint El Hasan said:
“I hope you will make the most of all the opportunities that come your way, both for academic and personal development and future success in and out of the classroom. Of course, there will be challenges too, but you have good people believing in and supporting you.”
Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP said:
“The (Naz Bokhari) award is named after Naz Bokhari OBE, my former headteacher at Ernest Bevin, and the first Muslim headteacher in the UK. The award symbolises the values that Mr Bokhari promoted in his life, excellence in education and positive integration into British society.”
Imran Sanaullah said:
“It is often said that ‘the youth are our future’, but the Naz Legacy Foundation is one of the few organisations that actually aims to invest in the future by proving young people with the support when they really need it, thus continuing the legacy of the late Mr Bokhari. Having been in Omar’s shoes just a year ago I can say that he will gain an abundance of benefits from this award and as I said tonight , this award can change your life, as it has mine. It was also pleasing to see so many students from Bevin, my former school, going forward in their careers. Tonight the next chapter of the foundation was written and I am looking forward to see how Omar progresses in the future and he has my complete support.”
The Ernest Bevin College Naz Bokhari Award is an annual award for students who achieve university acceptance despite adversity, who had to strive harder than others due to personal or social issues. This award recognises resilience and perseverance, qualities that Naz had and promoted. Nominated by their peers and teachers at the College, the winner is chosen by the Principals each year.
Secretary State for Education, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP said:
“You (Omar) have a great deal to be proud of in your academic achievements to date. I am sure that this award represents only the first stage in a long and distinguished professional career.”
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said:
“I would like to congratulate you (Omar) on winning the Ernest Bevin College Naz Bokhari Award 2013. I had the honour of hosting the Naz Legacy Foundation annual reception earlier this year as the Foundation promotes the spirit of London of which I am very proud – London’s diverse and welcoming character”
Naz Bokhari’s daughter, Hina Bokhari said:
“The Naz Legacy Foundation is looking forward to working with Omar. We hope that he, like last year’s winner, will feel like we can change his life for the better. The foundation aims to continue our father’s work by inspiring others to be the best they can be by mentoring and providing opportunities that will help our winners succeed in life.”
Cllr Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council said:
“This award is an honour, and quite rightly acknowledges all your hard work and dedication throughout the sixth form, which has impressed your peers and teachers. Your work ethic impressed your principals, Mike Chivers and Rukhsana Sheikh who have chosen you from a competitive short list for this prize.”
Jonathan Freeman, National Director of HRH Prince of Wales’ Mosaic initiative:
“This is tremendous achievement of which you (Omar) can be very proud.”
