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Body Decries Uniformed Personnel For Public Exams

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Exam Ethics International has decried the deployment of uniformed personnel for the conduct of public examinations as a “dangerous trend that undermines the growth of education in the country”.

The Chairman, Exam Ethics International, Mr Ike Onyechere, told news in Abuja that the agency was in support of a recent decision by the Edo State Government to disallow the use of uniformed officers to supervise the ongoing NECO examinations.

“We are fully in support of Edo State Governemnt’s decision on the issue,” he said.

Our correspondent  reports that the Edo State Ministry of Education had on June 17 disallowed the use of officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as supervisors for the NECO examinations.

In its reaction to the decision on June 20, NECO’s governing board suspended the conduct of the examinations in Edo, alleging some irregularities.

It also accused the state govrnment of trying to usurp its powers in the conduct of examinations.

The face-off was, however, later resolved at a meeting between officials of National Examination Council (NECO) and the state government, resulting in the lifting of the suspension on the conduct of the examinations.

Onyechere said: “It is a standard operating procedure all over the world that uniformed military personnel are not allowed into examination halls that involve civilians.

“Even when candidates for such examinations are uniformed personnel, they must enter the hall in mufti.

“It is a global convention in view of the fact that other candidates are usually distracted and intimidated by the presence of uniformed officers in examination halls. It dramatically increases the anxiety level of the candidates.’’

He explained that military or paramilitary officers are, by the nature of their training, temperament and command structure, not suited for the role of supervision and invigilation of civilian examinations.

Onyechere said the decision by NECO to suspend its examinations in Edo State was a “cheap blackmail’’ and wrong decision that had dire consequences.

He said NECO did not have the capacity and human resources to organise its examinations without the support and collaboration of state governments.

“With less than 2,000 personnel, NECO cannot possibly supervise and invigilate examinations in more than 10,000 secondary schools across the country.

“It needs the support of state governments in the provision of exam halls, facilities and human resources,’’ he added.

Onyechere urged the Federal Government to confirm if the use of civil defence officials in the conduct of examinations was now an established policy.

He said it was important to know if the NSCDC now had the full responsibility of monitoring and supervising examinations, and the extent it could be held responsible for any operational lapses when they occurred.

“These and many more are some of the questions that need to be answered before a major decision that affects the future of children can be taken.

“The attempt by NECO to paint Edo State Government as a supporter of exam fraud is very unfortunate.

“We wish to state without fear of contradiction that Governor Adams Oshiomhole is one of the most ethics-friendly governors in Nigeria.

“He is one of the few governors who have taken serious action to sanitise the education sector,’’ he added.

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Education

Ebonyi NUT Declares Indefinite Strike In Seven LGAs

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The Ebonyi State Chapterter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has declared an indefinite strike in seven local government areas in the State.
The strike action, according to the union, is due to non payment of three months salaries to some teachers in the affected local government area.
A statement issued on Thursday by the union’s secretary, Bassey Asuquo, listed the affected local government areas as Ebonyi, Edda, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ivo, Ishielu and Ohaukwu.
The statement reads, “Sequel to our earlier notice on mobilization for industrial strike action, we have thoroughly reviewed the compliance of local government chairmen regarding the clearance of our members’ salaries.
“As of the close of work today, February 5, 2025, we acknowledge that certain local government areas have cleared the salaries of our members.
“However, we regret to inform you that several local government chairmen have failed to clear the backlog of our members’ outstanding salaries.
“In response to this non-compliance, we hereby declare indefinite strike action in the following Local Government Areas: Edda, Ebonyi, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ishielu, Ivo and Ohaukwu.
“All our state and branch officers in the affected local government areas are instructed to adhere strictly to this directive and ensure the immediate enforcement of the strike action from 12:00am on Thursday 6th February, 2025.
“This includes organizing and maintaining solidarity picket lines and monitoring the Compliance of the strike action across the affected localities”, the statement said.
The Union noted that failure of the local government chairmen to meet their obligations to its members is unacceptable and vowed not relent until its demands are met.
“We call on all members to remain steadfast and continue their support for the strike action.”

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Education

LG Boss Inaugurates 11-Man Scholarship Board 

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The Chairman of Omuma Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Promise Reginald has inaugurated an 11- man scholarship education board headed by Dr Bigman Nwala.
Hon Reginald, while inaugurating the board at a brief ceremony held at the chairman’s chamber at Eberi on Wednesday, charged  them to be fair and  apolitical in the discharge of their duties.
He stated that his administration is committed to ensuring that the local government area improves the education standard of the people.
He urged them to ensure that every student of the local government origin is given equal opportunity, both the children of the poor and the rich, adding that the desire of his administration is to see that the people of Omuma are not educationally backwards.
According to him, the scholarship scheme is open to all students of Omuma origin who have gained admission into any institutions of higher learning, stressing that the essence is to ensure that his  administration leaves a legacy and also encourages the youths who will take after them to be educated.
The chairman told the board that from now till December this year, the council will be sending three Omuma students to United Kingdom on over seas scholarship, and  announced that the scholarship scheme will take  off immediately with 10 beneficiaries.
He congratulated them on their appointments and urged them to be transparent and fair in all their dealings, stressing that they were chosen based on their track records and as well as their efforts to advance education in the area.
Earlier in his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the board,Dr Bigman Nwala thanked the chairman for the confidence reposed in them, and assured him that they will work towards realising the objectives of the board.

By: Akujobi Amadi

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Education

Council Boss Charges Corps Members To Promote Peace 

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Corps members have been enjoined to promote, preach and practise the culture of peace and in doing so, emulate the virtues of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as an icon of peace.
The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council, Hon. Israel Aposi stated this yesterday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai when he addressed the 2024 Batch C Stream II corps members.
He charged the corps members whom he joined to observe the inter-platoon cultural carnival to respect the culture of the people of their host community and live in peace with them.
Continuing, the highly elated council boss further expressed deep admiration for the corps members’ ingenuity to package the rich cultural heritage of ethnic groups outside of their own, stating that from what he saw on display, Nigeria will be great again if peace, love, mutual understanding, tolerance and respect for one another thrive in the country.
Welcoming the chairman to the camp, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe appreciated him immensely for the visit, first, to motivate and inspire the corps members and secondly, to witness firsthand, the beauty and creativity of corps members as well as the positive energy they put into packaging the NYSC inter-platoon cultural carnival.
He used the occasion to enjoin the corps members to be a source of light in the various communities they are to serve by promoting decent cultural practices among the people.
At the end of the inter-platoon cultural carnival competition, Platoon 3 emerged first position; Platoon 10, second position; and Platoon 7, third position.

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