Education
2024 WASSCE Fees: Borno Gov’t Pays Over N500 Million for 25,075 final-year students
2024 WASSCE Fees: Borno Gov’t Pays Over N500 Million for 25,075 final-year students
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Government has shown its commitment to education equity by disbursing N507,654,000 to cover the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 25,075 final-year students in public schools across the state.
This was disclosed by Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Honourable Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, on Wednesday during the disbursement ceremony at the multipurpose hall of the Quality Assurance Office of the Ministry of Education in Maiduguri.
“Borno State Government has consistently subsidised these examination fees by 75%,” Commissioner Wakilbe said, “and this year’s disbursement is part of that commitment.”
The commissioner emphasised government’s dedication to a level playing field in the school system. “His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Borno State Governor, has fulfilled his promise,” he declared. “Students in both public and private schools can now access their results simultaneously.”
“Borno State Government expressed its sincere gratitude to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). “We are deeply grateful to WAEC for supporting the state’s resettlement efforts,” Wakilbe said.
“Extending WASSCE examinations to almost all parts of the state has significantly alleviated the challenges faced by our students.”
Meanwhile, the education commissioner commended school principals that adhered too examination ethics and quotas. However, he warned against any malpractice, stating “government will take punitive measures against any school principal that registers students without records or history in the school. While we support genuine ex-students with school records retaking examinations, we oppose the practice of registering external candidates without proper records.”
Wakilbe further elaborated on the negative consequences of this practice, explaining, “This illegal activity leads to issues with student record verification, indiscipline, corruption, and malpractice in public schools, placing a heavy financial burden on the government and straining scarce state resources.”
He went on to say “Furthermore, any principal of a public school whose examination centre is derecognized due to malpractice will be removed from their position.” The Ministry of Education will submit a list of accredited private schools for consideration in the 2025 WASSCE. Borno State Government, under the leadership of Governor Zulum, remains committed to supporting education and ensuring all students have a fair chance at success.
Responding to the commissioner, Mr. Zakari Ya’u Abdullahi, Zonal Coordinator of WAEC, Borno State, confirmed the payment of the funds. “This presentation we are making today signifies that the funds have been paid and are already in the account of West African Examinations Council,” he said.
“By the special grace of God, whenever we finish marking and the results are released, you can be assured that the results for all candidates, both government-sponsored schools and private schools, will be released at the same time.” This aligns with Governor Zulum’s earlier promise of ensuring equal access to results for all students.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from representatives of the schools and students. Abba Ali Ladan, President of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), spoke on behalf of the schools, while Ahmad Kyari Ahmad the president of National Union of Borno state Student union NUBOSS delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of the students. They expressed their gratitude to Borno State Government for its continued support of education in the state.
2024 WASSCE Fees: Borno Gov’t Pays Over N500 Million for 25,075 final-year students
UNIMAID Student Drowns in Gwange River, Another Rescued
By: Zagazola Makama
A tragic drowning incident has claimed the life of a University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) student, while another was rescued after they went swimming at the Gwange River Bank in Maiduguri.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on March 14, 2025, around 7:00 p.m., when two UNIMAID students, identified as Abafras Abdiel from the Department of Forestry and Silas Sule from the Department of Geology, went to the Gwange River Bank behind ECWA Church for a swim.
While diving, both students drowned in the river, prompting an emergency response. A combined rescue team, including the police, divers, and fire service personnel, was immediately mobilized to the scene.
The rescue team managed to retrieve both victims and rushed them to the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri. While Abafras Abdiel was admitted for treatment, Silas Sule was unfortunately certified dead by doctors. His body has since been deposited at the hospital for autopsy and further investigations.
The authorities have urged students and residents to exercise caution when engaging in activities near water bodies, especially during the dry season, when river currents can be unpredictable.
UNIMAID Student Drowns in Gwange River, Another Rescued
Federal University Gusau: A 300-level student died in a bandit’s den in Zamfara
By: Our Reporter
This is truly heartbreaking. Zarah Abubakar Shehu, a 21-year-old 300-level student at Federal University Gusau, was abducted along with her two siblings by bandits in the early hours of Sunday, November 3, 2024, from their home in the Damba area of Gusau, Zamfara State.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦35 million for their release. After much struggle, the family managed to gather ₦10 million, which the kidnappers agreed to accept. However, even after receiving the money, they still refused to release Zarah. Instead, they demanded four motorcycles (Boza) and four cartons of engine oil.
Zarah and her siblings spent four months in captivity. When all the items were finally gathered, the kidnappers’ leader was informed. He then called his men to check on the captives. To everyone’s horror, his men responded that only two children remained; one of them, Zarah, had passed away and had already been buried two days earlier.
Zarah was the only daughter of her mother, making her loss even more devastating. Her passing is not just a tragedy for her family but a heartbreaking reflection of the ongoing insecurity in Zamfara State and the pain that countless families endure.
Federal University Gusau: A 300-level student died in a bandit’s den in Zamfara
Gunmen Kidnap Four Students in Katsina State
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected armed bandits have abducted four students from Paris Quarters, behind the Federal University, Dutsinma, in Katsina State, security sources told Zagazola Makama on Sunday.
The attack occurred at about 2:20 a.m. on Sunday, when the assailants, reportedly in large numbers, quietly invaded the area and whisked away four individuals.
The victims have been identified as Wali Kayode (25), Fahad Muhammad (20), Emmanuel (surname unknown), and another yet-to-be-identified person.
Security operatives were mobilized to the scene immediately after receiving a distress call but the bandits had fled.
Security sources said that Efforts are ongoing to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims safely.
Gunmen Kidnap Four Students in Katsina State
Special Forces Troops Intercept Terrorists Planting IEDs in Zamfara
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