Metro
Play by the Rules, WAEC Tells Parents, Stakeholders, Students As 2023 SSCE Begins
By Eric Elezuo
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has told parents, students, stakeholders and every one involve to play by the rules of the body as the 2023 Secondary Secondary Certificate Examinations begin on May 8.
The charge was given on Thursday by the Head of National Office, Nigeria, Patrick Areghan, while addressing the press on the conduct of the 2023 West African exams.
“We shall do our best to monitor and inspect the conduct of the examination at all centres. We appeal to all schools, authorities and supervisors to co-operate with us,” he said
Flanked by Senior management staff of the Council, Areghan noted that the exams have finally adjusted to the May/June Period for which it is known, stressing that on inception by Monday 8, the exams will end on Friday, June 23, spanning seven straight weeks.
“This is remarkable. The significance of this landmark is that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the various member States, with the exception of Ghana, have now again found a common ground in respect of their academic calendars. This shows a massive recovery from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Areghan noted.
Stressing that a total of 76 subjects, spread into 197 papers will be tested this year, Areghan also informed that “a total of One Million, Six Hundred and Twenty-one Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-three (1,621,853) candidates from Twenty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-one, (20,851) secondary schools have registered for the examination. Out of this number, Seven Hundred and Ninety-eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ten (798,810) are males, amounting to 49.25%, while Eight Hundred and Twenty-three Thousand, and Forty-three (823,043) are females, which is 50.75% of the total candidature.”
The Council has also set aside 30,000 practicing teachers drawn from across schools as supervisors, adding that all teachers will function as invigilators in their various schools throughout the seven weeks duration of the exams, just as a self-service system for candidates, through the CHATBOT Platform, to enable them access their entries, which in most cases, the schools do not allow them to see, contrary to instructions, have been established.
The Candidate Self-Service allows students to confirm data uploaded for them by schools in order to make necessary corrections (if any) on such data. It provides two key services on the Request Management System which include Confirmation of Entry/Registration and Confirmation of Continuous Assessment Score (CASS).
The Council also warned schools on the importance of CASS, saying it is a major component in the computation of grades for candidates in the WASSCE (SC) examination. It added that no school will have any result without complete CASS upload.
WAEC also explained that considering the insecurity situation in the country, it has liaise with the Inspector General of Police, Brigade Commanders, other security agencies and the various State governments as well as the intervention of the Hon Minister of Education, to provide security in order to ensure that the examination is conducted under a secure and safe environment.
The Council read the riot act to perpetrators of exam malpractice and ‘miracle centres’, saying they will be decisively dealt with while also rolling out several awareness campaigns to sensitize stakeholders on the evils of malpractice.
“The penalties for involvement in examination mal practice will always, without compromise, be meted out to erring candidates, invigilators, supervisors, schools, WAEC officials, etc, as would be approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC), which is the highest decision-making organ of the Council that sits on examination matters in Nigeria,” Areghan said.
The Council assured that results of the exam will be released 45 days after the last day paper while printed certificates will be released to schools 90 days after the release of the results.
By Eric Elezuo
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police have debunked reported assassination attempt on the life of Naval Lt MA Yerima, the soldier, who stood to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over a disputed land.
In a statement by the FCT Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the command insisted that no such incident happened or was reported anywhere around Abuja, asking residents to ignore the reports as fake.
The statement further advised the public to ‘disregard the false information, and desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary panic’.
Recall that it was reported on Sunday night that Lt. Yerima escaped assassination after black hilux trucks trailed him. This reported escaped is coming on the heels of a heated altercation the Naval officer had with Wike over a parcel of land said to belong to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
The Presidency has since welded into the matter, ordering a stay on the demolition plans.
The statement in full:
The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to publications circulating on social media alleging an attempted assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima. The Command wishes to categorically state that no such incident has been reported or recorded anywhere within the Federal Capital Territory. The public is advised to disregard this false information and desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary panic.
For the safety of all residents, the Command urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest Police Division. You may also reach the Command Headquarters through our emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08068587311 for prompt response.
Nigerians were last night divided over the report that Navy Lieutenant Ahmad M. Yerima narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja, with many now questioning whether the incident happened exactly as described.
Initial reports from multiple news platforms claimed Yerima was trailed by two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates, prompting a high-speed chase and a “tactical manoeuvre” that allegedly saved his life.
The report quoted military sources who said the vehicles allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way at about 6:30p.m.
The source added that the matter is under investigation and is receiving “the seriousness it deserves,” noting that further details are being withheld so as not to compromise the process.
The development comes days after Yerima, while on duty with other security personnel, engaged in a tense confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed land site in Gaduwa District. The clash, captured on viral videos, sparked widespread public debate and prompted intervention from the Presidency, which subsequently halted the demolition exercise at the site.
But as the story spreads, so do doubts. Critics argue that the details remain vague and rely heavily on Yerima’s personal account, with no confirmed CCTV footage, eyewitness statements, or official security briefings to back the claims. Some security analysts say the descriptions sound “too cinematic,” raising the possibility of misinterpretation or exaggeration.
Adding to the skepticism is the timing of the report, coming just days after Yerima’s viral confrontation with Wike over a halted demolition exercise. While social media users have tried to link both events, officials insist there is no evidence connecting Wike or any political figure to the alleged chase.
Already, military veterans nationwide have criticised Wike for verbally insulting the officer and rejected calls for disciplinary action against Yerima. Spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, warned that ex-service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if the officer faced any punishment.
Many others want clarity: Was the officer truly targeted, or is this a case of panic amplified by public emotion and online speculation? Investigators are yet to provide answers.
Adron Homes set the stage for a remarkable sporting experience by hosting the Adron Cup Golf Tournament, bringing together golf enthusiasts, industry professionals, and distinguished guests for a day dedicated to excellence, competition, and camaraderie.
The tournament was officially declared open by the Chairman of Adron Group, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, who earlier this year received the first-ever Nigeria’s Noble Golfer Award, reflecting his growing influence and passion for the game of golf. In a moment that drew applause across the course, he performed the ceremonial tee-off, symbolically setting the tournament in motion.
Following the opening, the Chairman embarked on a tour of the golf course, delighting participants and spectators alike. He played several holes, showing his enthusiasm for the game, while also taking time to engage, encourage, and cheer on the competing golfers.
Players described the experience as inspiring, noting that the Chairman’s presence elevated the spirit of the competition and reinforced the values of sportsmanship and unity that the tournament represents.
As the tournament concluded, Mr. Sunday Aderibigbe, representing the Chairman of Adron Homes, officiated the presentation of awards and the official unveiling ceremony. His presence added prestige to the event and affirmed the company’s continued commitment to celebrating excellence within the golfing community.
The inaugural Adron Cup Golf Tournament marks the beginning of what promises to be a premier sporting event in the region, reflecting Adron Group’s commitment not only to excellence in real estate but also to promoting recreation, community engagement, and healthy living through sport.
The event concluded with commendations for the organizers and enthusiastic feedback from participants, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
