Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has commended the West African Examination Council, WAEC, for its prompt response to the difficulties some students encountered with the National Identification Number (NIN), which enabled the affected candidates to sit for the exams.
Prof. Osinbajo was speaking on Monday, March 14, 2022 when he received at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, a delegation of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in town for the Council’s 70th Annual Meeting.
He told the delegation that beyond core regulatory roles, government agencies must always show that they are responsible to the people that they serve and that they hold them in high esteem.
“It is very important that we show respect for our citizens and show that we are concerned about them, that we are not just a regulatory body that feels that its role is just to be a policeman and all of that.
“I think we must also show that we are responsible for the people that we serve and that we hold them in high esteem,” the Vice President said.
Prof. Osinbajo praised the examinations body for responding to the challenges with the NIMC portal at the time and allowing affected candidates to sit for the exams.
“These kinds of quick responses show respect for citizens,” the Vice President stated, expressing his joy that the Examinations Council is responsive and aligning with the digital technology age in different areas.
“Just looking at the press reports and what WAEC has done, it has shown that it is very responsive to the needs of society.”
Digital Certification
The vice president also spoke on WAEC’s digital certification, pointing out that its records would never be lost.
“I was particularly impressed by the new digital certification that was announced some time ago, that if one lost his/her WAEC certificate, you can apply for the digital copy, which means your records are never lost.
“There is no need for the long and hard process of seeking for a certified (physical) copy. I think this is a true response to the times. That is very good,” he said.
The Vice President congratulated WAEC on its achievement since it was established about 70 years ago.
While highlighting the important role of the Council in the nation’s educational development, Prof. Osinbajo said many Nigerians have benefitted from the WAEC certification over the years.
“It (WAEC certification) is almost like a birth certificate,” the VP stated, underscoring the significance of the Council’s certificate.
“Everyone who has watched WAEC progress over the years would agree that WAEC is a huge part of our history as a nation.
“WAEC certification has that importance and it has been like that for 70 years. So, I think it is worthy of celebration and commendation, WAEC has done so very well through the years.
“So, I congratulate you, the Nigerian team, and the WAEC Council, not just for being given the special privilege of hosting the 70th anniversary, but also because we are clearly the largest contributor and beneficiary and this has been so for 70 years.”
In her remark, the leader of the Nigerian members of WAEC, who is also the Director, Basic & Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, thanked the Federal Government of Nigeria “For the opportunity to host the 70th Annual Council Meeting, as well as the support to the Council over the years.”
She added that the Council is the highest decision-making body of WAEC with membership drawn from the five-member countries – Nigeria, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ghana.
According to her, the Annual Council Meeting provides a forum for the examination body to deliberate on qualitative and educational assessment, encouragement of academic and moral excellence, promotion of human resource development and enhancement of international cooperation among the five-member countries.
Vice President @ProfOsinbajo receives in audience the leadership of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Africa, led by the Hajiya Binta Abubakar (Chief Government Nominee) at the State House, Abuja.#AsoVillaToday pic.twitter.com/EP5Lu30ffE
— Government of Nigeria (@NigeriaGov) March 14, 2022
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