News
NECO SSCE year 2020 outstanding despite COVID-19, ENDSARs challenges – Registrar
The National Examinations Council (NECO), has recorded another major breakthrough in the conduct of the 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), with over 1 million candidates scored credits and above in mathematics and over 800,000 candidates scored credits in English and above.
Addressing Journalists at a news briefing on the release of 2020 Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), the Chief Executive and Registrar of NECO, Prof. Godswill Obioma disclosed that a total of 894,101 numbers of candidates made five credits and above in English and Mathmatics representing 73.89 percent as compared to 2019 June/July SSCE figures of 829,787, stressing that there is an increase of 2.3 percent.
According to the registrar, a total of 1,112,041 candidates made five credits and above inrrespective of English language and Mathmatics representing 91.91 percent as compared to 2019 June/ July SSCE figures of 1,042,989, adding that there is an increase of 2.01 percent.
He stated that number of candidates that were involved in various forms of examination malpractice in 2020 is 33,470 representing 2.61 percent while 40,630 representing 3,53 percent cases were recorded in 2019.
Prof. Obioma pointed out that the Council had a long-standing tradition for zero tolerance for malpractice noting that it can be noticed that the malpractice incidence in 2020 dropped compared to the figure of 2019.
He attributed the drop in the malpractice incidence to some practices which according to him include the deployment of biometric verification devices, strengthening the examination monitoring strategy in terms of scope and depth as a result of external monitors.
He explained that 12 schools were de- recognition for two years for their involvement in mass cheating, while 24 supervisors were blacklisted for various offences ranging from poor supervision, which include aiding and abeting, connivance with non-candidates to write answer on chalkboard among others.
He gave the names of the States that were de-recognised as as 4 schools in Adamawa, 1 school in Taraba, 2 school in Kaduna, 2 schools in Katsina , 2 schools in Niger and 1 school in FCT.
He maintained that with the outbreak of COVID-19 in February, 2020, a new norm was introduced in the scheme of things.
This new norm, he observed, “has altered not only our way of life but also affected our schedule of activities.” For instance, our 2020 SSCE (1), would have been written from 28th May, 2020 to 10th July, 2020.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Examination was rescheduled to hold from Monday 5th October, 2020 to Wednesday 18th November, 2020. It is rather unfortunate to note that barely two weeks into the commencement of the Examination, the ENDSARs protests erupted across some states in the country leading to the imposition of curfew and closure of schools by some state goverments in order to safe guard lives and property, thus truncating the process of examinations once more.
For security of personnel and materials, the examinations were suspended nationwide pending when normalcy returned. On return of normalcy, the examinations that were initially scheduled to end on Wednesday, 18th November, 2020 continued till 28th of November, 2020″.
Prof. Obioma disclosed that the Council has made a special arrangements for those candidates who missed some papers as a result of ENDSARs protest in those states assuring that the affected candidates will now sit for those papers missed during the forthcoming 2020 SSCE (External), scheduled from Monday 1st February, 2021 to Wednesday 3rd March, 2021.
“These special arrangements will be at no extra cost to these candidates.
“Upon the release of the 2020 SSCE internal results, those of the affected candidates will be pending for the papers missed and would be subsequently updated after the supplementary examination results are released.” he added.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubaka mini visited the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Umar Dikko Umaru Radda, at the Government House in Katsina to express condolences following the passing of his beloved mother, Hajiya Safara’u Umar Bare-Bari Radda.
During the visit, Minister Abubakar, on behalf of himself, his family, the Minister of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Matawalle MON and the entire staff of the Ministry of Defence, conveyed heartfelt condolences to Governor Radda, his family, and the people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
In his remarks, he prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased, grant her mercy, and bestow upon her a place in Jannatul Firdaus. He also offered prayers for the Governor and his family, asking for strength and fortitude to bear this profound loss.
The Minister was accompanied by Hon. Idris Garba Jahun, former Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, along with Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Jallo and Hon. Mas’ud A. Naruwa, members of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Hadejia and Babura, respectively.
All political office holders who were appointed by the embattled governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara have been suspended from office by the Sole Administrator of the State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
They were suspended from office with immediate effect, according to a statement by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, saying the decision followed powers granted the Sole Administrator by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to Fubara were among those suspended from office.
Commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants were all relieved of their appointments.
“This suspension takes effect from Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The affected officers are to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their MDAs.
“Where there may be no permanent secretary, they are to hand over to the most senior director/head of administration,” the statement read.
Ibas was sworn in as Sole Administrator on Wednesday, March 19, by President Bola Tinubu after the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Ibas, who is a former Chief of Naval Staff, vowed to maintain law and order in the state.
“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” he said to State House correspondents after the swearing-in.
He also promised to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that order is restored in the state.
Agency Report
The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has announced the cancellation of the Eid-el-Fitr Durbar celebration due to security concerns in the state.
Emir Bayero made this announcement while briefing newsmen at his Nasarawa Mini Palace in Kano on Wednesday night.
He said that the peaceful coexistence of the people takes precedence over the Durbar celebration.
Emir Bayero had initially planned to hold the Durbar celebration, which would have coincided with his fifth year anniversary on the throne.
He noted that respected Islamic clerics, elders, stakeholders, and his council members advised him to cancel the celebration to maintain peace.
Emir Bayero urged the people of Kano to use the Sallah celebration period to visit families and friends and to observe the festivities in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
He prayed for Allah’s blessings and mercy during the month of Ramadan, hoping that the people of Kano would receive forgiveness and mercy.
NAN
Badaru pays condolence visit to Katsina State governor over death of mother
Rivers: Sole administrator suspends Governor Fubara’s political appointees
Emir Bayero bows to pressure, cancels Eid-el-Fitri Durbar
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