In line with the present administration of Capt Idris Wada to continue with the major programmes and projects of his predecessor, couple with his belief in promoting quality education in public schools across the state, Capt Wada adopted the annual bulk payment for the final school certificate examination of students in post-primary schools in kogi state.
This policy had brought considerable relief to parents, just as it has promoted equitable access to education and has equally enhanced human capital development in the state. However, the state government suspended the payment of West African Examination Council fees for students in the state citing corruption in the payment processes as major reasons.
The governor alleged that some dubious and corrupt officials hijacked the project to enrich themselves and their cronies while stating that officials inflated the fees from N270 million in 2012 when he assumed office to N500 million in 2015, pointing out that the resources of the state could not carry the burden.
As part of measures designed to restore sanity and stability to the issue of payment of WAEC examination fees in the state, Governor Wada inaugurated the WAEC Reconciliation Committee with the terms of reference to review the current impasse in the payment of WAEC examination fees by Kogi State government, obtain the transition examination result in the past three years with names of candidates, schedules of result from the Ministry of Education.
The committee, in the course of their assignment engaged the ministry of education and Teaching Service Commission for adequate fact finding. At the end of the procedure, the committee report vindicated Capt Wada for the suspension of the payment as massive corruption was uncovered in the payment processes. In the committee’s findings, twenty four thousand, one hundred and seventy two (24,172) students were verified with the cost of examination stands at Two Hundred and Seventy Six Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand, Four Hundred Naira (276,769,400.00) as against Five Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira (N515M) brought forward for payment as 2014/2015 examination year.
Capt Idris Wada, in fulfillment of his promise, commenced the refund of the fees to the eligible students Today, starting from St Augustine College, Kabba. The presentation of cheques was done by the committee members headed by Prof Mathew Ajibero, with the secretary Ibrahim Odoma and the chairperson of the committee, Hajia Mariam Ladi Ibrahim with members of various financial institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the eligible students, Mr Ayo Tope Michael said they never believed the fees could be refunded but the governor of kogi state Capt Idris Wada has proven to the young generation that he is truly a leader who keep his promises and lead with the fear of God.
According the Chairman of the committee, Prof Mathew Ajibero, the fees refunding exercise would be conducted from each of the federal constituency in the state. All schools in The three federal constituencies in the west are to receive theirs today.
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