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WAEC Withholds Results of Over 200,000 Candidates, Records 79.81% Pass

by By Mariam Ileyemi

The WAEC boss, Patrick Areghan, said candidates are no longer ready to study, noting that they lack self-confidence "and preparations for examinations are poor."

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), on Monday, announced the release of the results for the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.

The examination body said out of a total of 1,613,733 candidates that sat the examination, the results of 262,803 candidates are being withheld "due to reports of cases of examination malpractice."

The Head of Nigeria's Office (HNO) of WAEC, Patrick Areghan, who made the announcement in Lagos, also hinted at his exit from the examination body as he is set to retire in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, Mr Areghan announced an improvement in pass rate by candidates as a total of 1,361,608 candidates, representing 84.38 per cent, obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects with or without English Language or Mathematics.

Also, 1,287,920 candidates, representing 79.81 per cent of the total candidates, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects including English Language and Mathematics.

In 2022, 76.36 per cent of the 1,601,047 candidates that sat the examination, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

The release of the 2023 results would offer a ray of hope for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions.

Some of the admission seekers who sat the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) did not provide the required SSCE results in their application forms but declared they were awaiting their results.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) conducted UTME for admission seekers nationwide in May, and many tertiary institutions have since commenced admission processes.

Breakdown

Giving a further breakdown of the 2023 examination, Mr Areghan said out of the candidates that sat the examination in Nigeria, only the results of 1,476,565 candidates, representing 91.5 per cent have been fully processed and released while 137,168 candidates, representing 8.5 per cent have a few of their subjects still being processed.

He explained that the delay is due to some "shortcomings, nonchalant, lethargy, incomplete CASS upload, disobedience of rubrics, etc associated with the schools and candidates concerned."

Of the 1,613,733 candidates that sat the examination, Mr Areghan noted that 794,280 were males while 819,453 were females, representing 49.22 per cent and 50.78 per cent respectively.

He added that 70,794 of the candidates were with varying degrees of special needs: 109 were visually impaired, 386 had impaired hearing, 33 were spastic cum mentally challenged and 34 were physically challenged.

"All these candidates were adequately provided for the administration of the examination. The results of these candidates have been processed and are also now being released along with those of other candidates," he added.

Cashless policy, other challenges

During the conduct of the 2023 WASSCE, Mr Areghan said the council was faced with financial constraints "orchestrated by the cashless policy and the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as a result of fuel subsidy removal."

He noted that disruptions were experienced in some parts of the South-east due to the enforcement of a sit-at-home order by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and also some insecurity concerns in parts of the North-west.

Mr Areghan also recounted how the council lost a vehicle and its contents to an armed robbery attack at Okigwe, on the road to Enugu on 4 June 2023.

"The armed robbers took away our vehicle and the contents, but to the glory of God, no one was harmed. The vehicle was found after two days, with all the contents intact," he said.

"However, we had already reprinted the codes involved at an extra cost that was not budgeted for. This incident disrupted our logistics and scheduled operations."

Examination Malpractice

On examination malpractice, Mr Areghan said the figure of 262,803 withheld results, representing 16.29 per cent of the total number of candidates that sat the examination in 2023, is lower than the 22.83 per cent recorded in 2022.

"The reasons for this are not far-fetched. Candidates are no longer ready to study, they lack self-confidence and preparations for examinations are poor," he said "There is over-reliance on the so-called 'expo', which is non-existent."

He reiterated that the council will continue to sanction all cases of examination malpractice while noting that all the reported cases of "organised cheating" are being investigated.

Access to Digital Certificates

Mr Areghan further noted that the results of candidates who sat the 2023 WASSCE are being uploaded on the results website and that the candidates can access their digital certificate simultaneously.

He said: "The digital certificates of candidates who sat the WASSCE for school candidates 2023, and who have no pending issues, by way of unresolved queries or hanging cases of examination malpractice, are ready on the digital certificate platform.

"Printing of the physical (hard copy) certificates will commence 90 days from today. This is an innovation that will make admission processes seamless and with a high level of mobility."

He added that the result checker PIN and serial number required by candidates to check their results online are on the candidate's smart identity card used during the examination.

Highlighting the achievements recorded in WAEC under his stewardship as the HNO of WAEC, Mr. Areghan said apart from the digital certificate, the council launched Educational Statistics (EDUSTAT) platform that enables stakeholders to access statistics online.

The council also established a functional WAEC Nigeria Digital Printing Press (WNDPP) after 71 years of existence, and other digital platforms.

Culled from Premium Times

Education, Infant mortality, Poverty worsened in Zamfara Under Matawalle

Governor Matawalle promised to tackle unemployment and poverty as well as revamp the education and health sectors by By Mohammed Babangida.

Bello Matawalle, the outgoing governor of Zamfara State, was lucky to become governor in the first place. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 governorship poll, he did not become governor because he won the majority of the votes cast in the election. He was made governor after the Supreme Court ruled that the All-Progressives Congress (APC), which polled the majority of votes, did not conduct primaries for the election of its candidates in Zamfara State as a result of the in-fighting in the party at the time. The court voided all the APC votes and ordered that the candidates of the parties with the next highest votes should be declared the winners of the elections.

But Mr Matawalle could only manage to stay in power for one term. After defecting from the PDP, he faced the 2023 election as the APC candidate but was defeated in the 18 March governorship election by the PDP candidate, Dauda Lawal.

During the campaign before the 2019 election, Mr Matawalle promised to fight unemployment and poverty and revamp the education and health sectors.

Poverty rate, internal revenue and debt management

Mr Matawalle spoke passionately about fighting poverty during his campaign, which he said was spurred by insecurity in the state. In 2019 when he was sworn in, Zamfara State was worse than the national average "poverty headcount rate" as 73.98 per cent of the state's population was considered poor while the national average was 40.1 per cent. The state had a higher percentage of poor people than Sokoto, Taraba, Jigawa, Ebonyi and Adamawa states, according to a report by the Statista.

The multidimensional poverty index released in November 2022 stated that 78 per cent of Zamfara people are poor, meaning poverty worsened under Mr Matawalle, from 74 to 78 per cent.

Mr Matawalle also performed poorly in debt management In 2019, data showed the state had a combined domestic and external debt of N103.35 billion. The debt rose to N130.1 billion in 2020 and N130.94 billion in 2021. The state currently has the second-highest debt in the North-west region and occupies the 15th out of the 36 states of the federation.

However, from 2019 to 2021, the state witnessed an increase in its internal revenue generation (IGR), In 2018, it generated N8.21 billion, while in 2019 when Mr Matawalle took over, the state generated N15.42 billion. By 2021, the last year the data was provided, Mr Matawalle's administration had increased the internal revenue to N18.50 billion, according to NBS data.

The multidimensional poverty index released in November 2022 stated that 78 per cent of Zamfara people are poor, meaning poverty worsened under Mr Matawalle, from 74 to 78 per cent.

Mr Matawalle also performed poorly in debt management In 2019, data showed the state had a combined domestic and external debt of N103.35 billion. The debt rose to N130.1 billion in 2020 and N130.94 billion in 2021. The state currently has the second-highest debt in the North-west region and occupies the 15th out of the 36 states of the federation.

However, from 2019 to 2021, the state witnessed an increase in its internal revenue generation (IGR), In 2018, it generated N8.21 billion, while in 2019 when Mr Matawalle took over, the state generated N15.42 billion. By 2021, the last year the data was provided, Mr Matawalle's administration had increased the internal revenue to N18.50 billion, according to NBS data.

In 2021, the state chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Mannir Bature, lamented the concentration of health workers in the state capital as well as the general decay of hospitals in the state.

"The level of decay is disheartening. Only the General Hospital in Gusau has the facilities required for a decent health facility. In the remaining

13 local government areas, General Hospitals don't even have facilities for neonatal care..... 78% of the human resources in the health sector is

concentrated in Gusau, leaving just 22% to be shared amongst the remaining 13 local government areas," he said

Mr Matawalle also performed poorly in tackling infant and maternal mortalities in the state. In 2018, months before he took over, the child mortality rate stood at 130 deaths per 1,000 live births. The national average is 62 deaths. The rate increased to 136 deaths per 1,000 births in 2021, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey of the NBS.

Despite most of the development indices getting worse during his tenure, some residents of the state believe Mr Matawalle stole billions of naira meant to develop the state, a matter currently being investigated by the anti-graft agency, EFCC, although the governor has denied any wrongdoing.

                                                               - Culled from Premium Times

UNESCO unveils new AI roadmap for classrooms - UN News

 UNESCO unveils new AI roadmap for classrooms - UN News

The UN convened the first ever global meeting with education ministers from around the world to explore risks and rewards of using chatbots in classrooms, announcing on Friday a new roadmap to chart a safer digital path for all.

Less than 10 per cent of schools and universities follow formal guidance on using wildly popular artificial intelligence (AI) tools, like the chatbot software ChatGPT, according to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which hosted more than 40 ministers at an groundbreaking online meeting on Thursday.

The ministers exchanged policy approaches and plans while considering the agency’s new roadmap on education and generative AI, which can create data and content based on existing algorithms, but can also make alarming factual errors, just like humans.

“Generative AI opens new horizons and challenges for education, but we urgently need to take action to ensure that new AI technologies are integrated into education on our terms,” said Stefania Giannini, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education. “It is our duty to prioritize safety, inclusion, diversity, transparency and quality.”

Institutions are facing myriad challenges in crafting an immediate response to the sudden emergence of these powerful AI apps, according to a new UNESCO survey of more than 450 schools and universities.

Rapidly Evolving Landscape

At the same time, governments worldwide are in the process of shaping appropriate policy responses in a rapidly evolving education landscape, while further developing or refining national strategies on AI, data protection, and other regulatory frameworks, according to UNESCO.

However, they are proceeding with caution. Risks to using these tools can see students exposed to false or biased information, some ministers said at the global meeting.

The debate revealed other common concerns, including how to mitigate the chatbots’ inherent flaws of producing glaring errors. Ministers also addressed how best to integrate these tools into curricula, teaching methods, and exams, and adapting education systems to the disruptions which generative AI is quickly causing.

Many highlighted the vital role teachers play in this new era as learning facilitators.

But, teachers need guidance and training to meet these challenges, according to UNESCO.

Adding to Existing Frameworks

Teachers need guidance and training to meet these challenges. — UNESCO

For its part, the agency will continue to steer the global dialogue with policy makers, partners, academia, and civil society, in line with its paper, AI and education: A guide for policy-makers and Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, as well as the Beijing Consensus on Artificial Intelligence and Education.

UNESCO is also developing policy guidelines on the use of generative AI in education and research, as well as frameworks of AI competencies for students and teachers for classrooms.

These new tools will be launched during Digital Learning Week, to be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 4 to 7 September, the agency said.

Princeton College, Benue Varsity Students Emerge winners of NTEC 2022

Akamelu Somtochukwu of Princeton College, Surulere and Nater Paul Akpen of Benue State University have both emerged as winners at the Grand Finale of the 11th National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC) 2022.

The duo emerged winners from a shortlist of top 10 and top five finalists from a pool of entries in the Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions Categories, respectively.

The topics for NTEC 2022 include: ‘Ground Accident Prevention In Air Transportation,’ for the Secondary Schools; and ‘The Role of Biometrics and Mobile Technology on The Future of Air Travel,’ for Tertiary Institutions.  

A statement by Mr. Ewos Iroro, the Editor, Travel & Business News stated that the gathering attracted youths from secondary schools and tertiary Institutions across the country and was part of the air transport Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES), organised annually by Travel and Business News (TBN).

This year’s event was held at the Training Centre of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, over the weekend and was with the theme: ‘Securing The Future of Aviation in Nigeria.’

Eminent personalities who graced the occasion and also doubled as members of the Panel of Independent Assessors include: the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu who was represented by Mrs. Oyetoun Adegbesan, Deputy General Manager, Economic Regulation & Facilitation and the Managing Director, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), Mr. Basil Agboarumi who Chaired the occasion and was represented by Mrs. Christie Oseghale, General Manager, Safety & Quality.

Others were the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Rabiu Yadudu who was represented by Mrs. Victoria Shin-Aba, the Regional Manager South West; Ag. Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Matthew Pwajok who was represented by Mr. Gabriel Akinlade; and Engr. Ifeanyi Ogochukwu, former General Manager, ICT, NAMA represented by Ms. Ene Onyeke, Technology Advocate, Debbie Mishael Consulting; and among others.

The event also witnessed excellent presentations and robust engagements with students from participating schools delivered by seasoned industry professionals.

Following a rigorous session of oral presentations in defense of entries by the finalists in the secondary schools category, Miss Akamelu Somtochukwu of Princeton College, Surulere, Lagos emerged as the Grand Prize Winner of N100,000 cash and a free ticket sponsored by DANA Air.

Second place went to Bamigbade Aneefah of Murtala Muhammed Airport Secondary School (MMASS), Ikeja with a cash prize of N60,000 and a free ticket courtesy of DANA Air; while third place went to Igweonu Praise also of MMASS with a cash prize of N40,000.

In the tertiary institutions category, Mr. Nater Paul Akpen of Benue State University, Makurdi came first with a cash prize of N150,000 and a free ticket to Nairobi sponsored by Kenya Airways.

Miss Nwafor Merciful of University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus came second with a cash prize of N100,000 and a free ticket courtesy of DANA Air; and the third place went to Mr. Oyedele Philemon Oluwakyejo, of the University of Ibadan with a cash prize of N50,000.

As part of the Youth Empowerment initiative of the forum, five Training Scholarships in Ticketing & Reservation were also given to young graduates courtesy of Sabre Travel Network West Africa,.

Beneficiaries of the scholarships selected via a raffle draw include Miss Olamide Shobowale, Mrs. Peace Akinsulire, Mrs. Grace Akinwumi, Miss Okosesi Esther, and Mr. Emmanuel Anigbo.

The Managing Director of Aviatrix Hub, Mrs. Victoria Adegbe also offered a Training Scholarship in Flight Dispatch for one student.

Other sponsors of this year’s event include the NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, EgyptAir, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and OCP International.

NTEC was established in 2009 with a view to discovering hidden talents and encouraging young Nigerians to follow a career in the aviation and travel & tourism sectors of the economy.

It is also aimed at drumming up greater awareness and support for the air transport industry, and is geared towards raising future aviation professionals in an effort to bridge the skills gap and address the challenge of ageing workforce currently being faced in the sector.

Scoring 360 in UTME wasn't a Surprise

Calm, cool, composed and confident are some of the adjectives to describe Umeh Kamsiyochukwu Precious, an SS 3 pupil of Deeper Life High School, Lagos campus who scored an aggregate of 360 in recently released University Matriculation Examination (UTME) of May 2nd, 2023, to pursue Chemical Engineering. She score 99 over 100 in Chemistry. Umeh Kamsiyochukwu was just five marks behind Maduafokwa Egoagwugwu Agnes, another girl from Anambra who chose to study Industrial Production Engineering at the University of Ibadan.

In this interview with Olugbenga Adebiyi, Editor of School Connect Magazine, this Chemical Engineer in the making revealed that she hardly burn the midnight oil as it is the norm of other hardworking student like other student to make the second highest score in UTME, but made use of past questions, some preparatory materials, textbooks and spell-checking her answers before submitting during the exam. She attributed her success to being blessed with a good brain and the commitment of her teachers at the school. The School Principal, Pastor Michael Ajala also gave a good commendation about Precious saying that she was of good because and takes her studies seriously.

Her plan is to get scholarship and study abroad. Below are excerpts.                                                     

I heard the news that you did excellently well in this recent UTME which was released about a week ago. How did you do that? How do you get 360 in UTME? 

My name is Umeh Kamsiyochukwu Precious, and I had 360 in UTME the score came as a surprise to me because it was my first time writing the exam. I didn’t believe that I would have such score. It was just although I put in my own effort by reading, studying and preparing for the exam. I practiced a lot of past questions and also made use of study app in preparing for the exam. The App is called Texula, Texula helps prospective candidate to prepare for the exam, grade them and also show them corrections. Besides I used another study guide called, ‘One time success’ I complemented this with text books along with past questions.

Before you scored 360 in UTME do you have some set goals in mind that you would exceed 360? What preparation exercise do you put in place while preparing for the exam? 

When I was setting my goals for UTME, what I first set or wrote down was 350 and then I changed it to 363 afterwards and then 360. 

Which subjects did you enroll for in UTME?

I enrolled for Chemistry, Mathematics, Use of English and Physics.

What course are you planning to study?

I am planning to study Chemical Engineering.

Why did you choose chemical Engineering? I choose chemical Engineering because I like Chemistry and I wanted to do something in line with chemistry. I am not too good at biology or else I would have chosen course / disciplines related to that. For me, chemistry is as east as a pie and that is why studying chemical engineering is appealing.

What do you intend to do with chemical Engineering? I intend to work in a production company or oil Service Company or any organization that this course will be useful for. I am not too clear about where I want to work. But any good organization or company that would value my degree qualification. 

What can you say aided your score? Can we say is a result of your hard work, friends, peers, teachers, or mentor or just anything who have actually influenced this in one way or another? What can you say about this? Yes I have friends whom we do group study together. Well, surprisingly I don’t burn midnight oil. I am not a bookworm, I am just blessed with a good brain and memory. Once I read or attend classes, the whole thing just sticks. Going the extra mile by staying up late reading or burning the midnight oil as you say, is not really my type of person. I study, I read books, but I don’t really love reading that much. This is just me.

What is your advice for students especially those who do not believe in using their brain to pass exams, but like to take the short-cut of exam malpractice? I would advise students to be determined- to go for what they want. I feel that some students don’t really know what they want and they are satisfied with anything that comes their way in terms of achievement. Some of them have the attitude that if they fail UTME this year, they can still enroll for another one next year. If you want to achieve anything in life, you have to be determined. If you are not you can’t achieve anything.

I think what is also responsible for the success in this exam is because you make use of pass questions, textbooks, and other preparation materials. Apart from all this do you have encouragement from your teachers, mentor, parent, and so on?

At Deeper Life School the teachers are very committed and dedicated, they give in their best to every student and always want the best for us. They spur us, motivate us and give us the enthusiasm to succeed. Sometimes, they give us inspirational quotes by great leaders /achievers. We also receive mentorship from them.  All these are some impetus or motivation for us at DLHS courtesy of our teachers and administrators. The moral aspect is another aspect responsible for our grooming and development. Rules are set here- there are Dos and Don’ts, there is appraisal and reward or commendation for anything done right. There is also penalty or punishment for violating rules here. To me, I think these things add to our wholesome development in the academic and moral aspect. Another thing is that we have amiable environment for learning. The teachers are accessible and available. Whenever any student /pupils don’t understand anything in the class, such student can go to meet the teachers privately. Sometimes, some shy students might be ashamed to ask questions in the classroom for the fear that they would be laughed at, ridiculed by their mates. The open-door policy by our teachers here gives students the opportunity to ask any question whether it is foolish one or intelligent one from their teachers in the staff room. The teachers listens attentively to give answers to our questions and guide us where we need guidance.

I think all these are success catalysts at DLHS. I can proudly and confidently say it that we have good teachers here. 

Which subject did you have the highest score in UTME? That was chemistry, I scored 99.

How did you maximize the time in the examination hall working under exam tension to still score 99 in chemistry – remember, this is not moi-moi like Use of English or CRK? 

While using the laptop to do the exam, I didn’t waste time on questions that I don’t know. I will skip them and come back to them later. I go through the instructions and then look at the question. When I had no clue to the question or it is plausible, I skip them. After finishing all the question I came back to the unanswered questions. By this time, I was sure that the job is almost done having satisfactorily answering all the questions that I know and since there was time, I can spend more time with the difficult questions. For chemistry I went through it for about 3times, just to ensure nothing was left amiss. It was a surprise to me actually when I saw 99 in chemistry because that was actually the goal I set for this subject.

Did any of your parents study any of the science?

No, my Dad is a businessman - an entrepreneur. My Mom is an accountant.

So where on earth do you have this DNA in you to be good at chemistry? 

I have no idea. 

So who do you think you are looking up to as a mentor propelling you to achieve your goal as a student? The person that I look up to is actually my proprietor, pastor (Dr.) W.F Kumuyi. I admired his quintessential leadership style, his contagious academy successes which is robbing up on us his children in the school here, I think in every sense of the world, he is an achiever and he has made his mark in the academia and Christendom. He made a first class in mathematics and we are also seeing the impact and effect of his pragmatic leadership in the education sector. And that is why we are all here. So, that is why I look up to him and he has influenced me in no small measure by shaping my academic excellence. Another mentor I have are my parents. They guide me and motivate me.

Are you a bookworm? Do you like reading books? I have said this before, I am nor a book worm. I am just blessed with good brain. Once I attend classes the whole thing sticks. I don’t have to do more of extra reading. Although I do that sometimes, but not like pouring over book. I actually enjoy reading novels and my textbooks.

Which higher institution in Nigeria are you planning to go? I actually want to study abroad that is if my parent could afford that or I get a scholarship to fund my studies.

What are your hobbies?

Reading Novels.

Buhari Appoints Ochi’Idoma Chancellor Federal University Otuoke

By Chidimma C. Okeke - Daily Trust

President Muhammadu Buhari has presented letter of appointment to the Paramount Ruler of the Idoma Kingdom, His Royal Majesty ( HRM) Agaba'Idu, Dr Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John as the New Chancellor of the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State.

The presentation was done on Friday, 12th May, 2023, at the Och'Idoma Palace Otukpo, according to a statement from Federal Ministry of Education.

Speaking during the presentation, Buhari, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Arc. Sonny Echono, stated that Och'Idoma's appointment was based on his enviable track records, leadership qualities and integrity.

Mr. President commended his commitment to the development of Education and the sustenance of peace and stability of the country.

Responding, Agaba'Idu Elaigwu Odogbo thanked the Federal Government for finding him worthy of the prestigious appointment, assuring the president of his total commitment in the discharge of his responsibilities.

While thanking Echono who is also a son of the Idoma Kingdom, for doing so much for Nigeria, particularly Benue State, he expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria study centre at Obagaji, Agatu LGA, and promised that he will continue to support the Buhari led Administration.

In her goodwill message, the wife of the Och'Idoma, Her Royal Majesty, Mrs Martha Elaigwu, the Agab'Anya K'Idoma, appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his love for the Idoma people and the rare privilege accorded the Och'Idoma, wishing him long life and God's guidance as he prepares to handover to the incoming administration.

By Chidimma C. Okeke - Daily Trust

President Muhammadu Buhari has presented letter of appointment to the Paramount Ruler of the Idoma Kingdom, His Royal Majesty ( HRM) Agaba'Idu, Dr Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John as the New Chancellor of the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State.

The presentation was done on Friday, 12th May, 2023, at the Och'Idoma Palace Otukpo, according to a statement from Federal Ministry of Education.

Speaking during the presentation, Buhari, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Arc. Sonny Echono, stated that Och'Idoma's appointment was based on his enviable track records, leadership qualities and integrity.

Mr. President commended his commitment to the development of Education and the sustenance of peace and stability of the country.

Responding, Agaba'Idu Elaigwu Odogbo thanked the Federal Government for finding him worthy of the prestigious appointment, assuring the president of his total commitment in the discharge of his responsibilities.

While thanking Echono who is also a son of the Idoma Kingdom, for doing so much for Nigeria, particularly Benue State, he expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria study centre at Obagaji, Agatu LGA, and promised that he will continue to support the Buhari led Administration.

In her goodwill message, the wife of the Och'Idoma, Her Royal Majesty, Mrs Martha Elaigwu, the Agab'Anya K'Idoma, appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his love for the Idoma people and the rare privilege accorded the Och'Idoma, wishing him long life and God's guidance as he prepares to handover to the incoming administration.

JAMB to Extend Registration for Direct Entry

 

By Mojeed Alabi - Premium Times

The source said the extension would be by one week, but if the crisis persists, the examination body may consider a further extension to accommodate every legitimate willing applicant.

Beginning from Monday, 15 May, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) may have concluded plans to extend the registration for candidates seeking direct entry admission to universities nationwide.

The deadline for registration had earlier been fixed for Saturday, 13 May. Still, the rowdiness consistently experienced within the past week at the Lagos office of the examination body informed the latest decision.

The new development was confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday evening by a highly placed JAMB official who does not want to be named for lacking the authority to give the information.

But the source confirmed that the management of the examination body had at the weekend deliberated on the challenges being faced at its offices, especially in Lagos, and decided to extend the deadline to "ensure that every qualified and willing applicant is duly registered."

However, the Head of Public Affairs and Protocol for the examination agency, Fabian Benjamin, neither confirmed nor denied the information.

But Mr Benjamin said he was sure that every candidate willing to register for the direct entry application would be allowed to do so.

Registration challenges

JAMB recently barred privately-owned computer-based test centres from participating in the registration for direct entry applicants and instructed applicants to approach any of its offices nationwide for registration.

The centralisation of the process, according to the examination body, was aimed at curbing the use of fake A-level documents for registration.

JAMB said it had been inundated with complaints of fraud allegedly by applicants, citing the case of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), which it noted expelled about 140 students for presenting fake A-level results.

JAMB said the centralisation of the application process is, therefore, to guide against such fraudulent practices and to set a template for private CBT centres' participation in subsequent years.

But this decision has left many applicants stranded with the examination body's office in Lagos recording rowdiness, especially within the last one week.

Disturbing images of applicants sleeping on floors at the Ikoyi office of JAMB in Lagos had consistently surfaced on the internet, forcing the leadership of NANS to visit the scene and demand immediate resolution.

But JAMB has blamed the applicants for adopting a last-minute rush, saying for the first few weeks of the registration period, it recorded low patronage.

Speaking earlier on the development, JAMB's spokesperson, Mr Benjamin, told PREMIUM TIMES: "When we started the registration, the offices were nearly empty, and candidates were not coming. Don't forget; the DE registration is not a high-tech registration; we usually have just about 100,000 and sometimes 200,000 candidates registering for the whole year.

So, you can imagine where these people are coming from at this particular point in time. But as a responsible organisation, we will do everything possible, especially for candidates who have purchased the PIN to register."

Deadline extension

Speaking with this newspaper on the decision to extend the deadline for DE registration once again, the JAMB official confirmed that the management took the decision at the weekend.

The source, however, noted that the examination body is reluctant to announce the extension so that candidates would not go "and relax again, and then wait for the last minute rush."

"So I can confidently confirm that any candidate that visits JAMB offices from Monday will be attended to, though it ought to have closed on Saturday. But this may not be announced publicly," the source added.

The source said the extension would be by one week, but if the crisis persists, the examination body may consider a further extension to accommodate every legitimate willing applicant.

"But we cannot foresee a situation that would warrant another extension after this. This is based on the calculation of the annual DE registration figures and what has been recorded so far this year," the source added.

JAMB keeps mum

When PREMIUM TIMES called the JAMB spokesperson, he said he could not comment on the lingering issue. Still, he insisted that "as a responsible organisation that values its integrity and the dignity of every single student, the best decision would be taken."

He said: "I have no doubt that every willing applicant who may have vended PIN would be allowed to register for the DE. The difficulty is just part of the measures to address the malpractice identified with the process of registration and we can assure Nigerians that JAMB is too responsible to willingly subject applicants to the unnecessary challenges currently being witnessed."

He said the examination body is already achieving the desired result, saying it is embarrassing that candidates screened for admission are later found to have used fake results by the universities.

Acceptable A-level results

JAMB had at different times listed acceptable A-level results for this year's DE registration, warning candidates against fraudulent practices.

The listed A-level results include a university diploma, Ordinary National Diploma (OND), National Diploma (ND), Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), Higher National Diploma (HND) and a university degree.

Others are Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB), Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPED), NABTEB Advanced National Business Certificate, NABTEB Advanced National Technical Certificate, NABTEB GCE-A' Level (2015 - 2021), Higher Islamic Studies Certificate by NBAIS, International Baccalaureate and the National Registered Nurse/ Midwife certificates.