WAEC makes u-turn, to release seized results of debtor states
http://www.gatewaymail.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WAEC..Examination-conducting-body-in-Nigeria..jpgNIGERIA: EXAMINATION conducting body, the West African Examination Council, has changed it mind not to release the results of candidates whose states are indebted to it.
The body said on Wednesday that it would upload the results of the June 2015 Senior Secondary School examinations, prior withheld, on its website within 24 hours.
The Head, Nigerian National Office of WAEC, Charles Eguridu, who stated this at a press briefing in Abuja, stated that the council’s decision was due to intervention from the stakeholders.
The examination body had on August 10 withheld results of 13 out of 36 states and Abuja, due to failure to fulfill financial obligations to it over the conduct of the yearly examination.
While emphasising that the change of heart was as a result of the council’s determination not to inhibit the educational progress of any Nigerian child, he explained that the continued withholding of the results would adversely affect the educational prospects of the affected candidates who needed the results for admission into higher school.
“Our decision is sequel to appeals from our stakeholders, including parents, the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, notable Nigerians, and other well-meaning citizens,” he said, adding: “Most importantly, the intervention of the secretariat of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.”
“The intervention is on the directive of the Chairman, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, who directed that NGF will resolve the matter as soon as possible,” Eguridu said. “We have decided to hearken to the appeals and review our earlier position.”
He added: “The results are, therefore, to be uploaded on our results website in the next 24 hours.”
The council boss pleaded with the affected states to reciprocate the step by paying to enable the council meet its financial obligations to examiners, service providers, supervisors and creditors.
Also speaking, the Director of Strategies of the NGF, Alhaji Abdulatif Shitu, explained that the forum had given assurance that the debt would be paid soon.
Shitu, who stated that most of the states have commenced moves to offset the debt having issued bank guarantees, said: “We have directed the affected states to live up to their financial obligations to the council. The debt in question is not an accumulated debt, it is just for 2015.”
