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Borno State Government Pays N494 Million for 2024 SSCE Fees for Public School Students
Borno State Government Pays N494 Million for 2024 SSCE Fees for Public School Students
…Zulum orders completion of permanent NECO office.
By: Our Reporter
In a significant stride towards educational equity, the Borno State Government has announced the payment of N493.9 million to cover the 2024 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees for 25,075 students in public schools.
The Honourable Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Hon. Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, made the announcement on Friday during a disbursement ceremony. He emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to making education accessible to all, underscoring that the initiative subsidizes the exam fees by 75%, thus alleviating the financial burden on students and their families.
For the 2024 academic year, the state government will contribute N326.7 million, while the 27 Local Government Areas will provide a combined total of N167.2 million, paid directly to the National Examinations Council (NECO). This payment is part of a larger effort by the Borno State Government, which has invested over N1 billion this year alone to cover the costs of both the May/June and June/July WASSCE and SSCE exams.
Since the beginning of Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum’s administration in 2019, the state has spent a total of N4.1 billion on examination fees for 138,438 students in public schools. This substantial financial commitment highlights the government’s dedication to ensuring fairness and providing equal educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their socio-economic background.
Hon. Engr. Wakilbe also extended his gratitude to NECO for its robust support, acknowledging the council’s efforts to make SSCE examinations accessible across nearly all parts of the state. This expansion has significantly reduced logistical challenges, such as the need for students to travel to Maiduguri, thus alleviating issues of overcrowding in boarding schools and ensuring a smoother examination process for students.
Wakilbe noted that illegal practice leads to difficulties in student verification, encourages indiscipline, and results in corruption and malpractice within public schools. It also places a heavy financial burden on the government and depletes the state’s limited resources. Any principal whose school’s examination centre is derecognized due to malpractice will be immediately removed from their position.
“In recognition of NECO’s efforts, His Excellency has directed the Ministry to submit plans for the completion of the permanent NECO office at the Mustapha Umar Elkanemi College. Following this briefing, we will visit the site, where NECO will formally hand it over to the engineers, allowing for the necessary work to be completed.” Wakilbe Said
The Coordinator NECO Borno State, Mr. Dauda Thomas Yahaya, has expressed gratitude to the Borno State government for its financial support, which will significantly alleviate the financial burden on the families.
On behalf of the Registrar and CEO NECO, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, Yahaya acknowledged the payment and commended Governor Banagana Umara Zulum and Commissioner Engr Wakilbe for covering the SSCE fees of public school children, demonstrating their commitment to advancing education in the state.
Borno State Government Pays N494 Million for 2024 SSCE Fees for Public School Students
Troops restore calm after communal clash in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 177 Guards Battalion have restored order following a communal clash in Aso Pada Riverside Community, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Security sources said that at about 9:00 a.m. on March 25, troops deployed at Gurku Patrol Base responded to reports of violence in the community.
On arrival, they discovered that some houses and properties had been set ablaze by youths of Fulani extraction.
Investigations revealed that the incident began when a vigilante from the community shot a Fulani youth with a dane gun over a dispute, claiming the youth’s cow had eaten his mango. Two other Fulani youths were also shot dead, triggering reprisal attacks that led to the deaths of two additional individuals and injuries to five others.
The corpses and injured victims were evacuated to a hospital for medical attention, while the vigilante is currently in police custody. Troops maintained a dominating presence in the area, calming the situation and restoring normalcy.
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to convene an expanded meeting with both parties to qfurther investigate the clash and apprehend other perpetrators.
Troops restore calm after communal clash in Nasarawa
Troops conduct offensive, recover arms in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 1 Brigade, Operation FANSAN YANMA in coordination with troops of Sector 2, have carried out an offensive operation to clear a terrorist group from Dutsi village in Moriki District, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources said that at about 2:15 p.m. on March 25, troops engaged the terrorists in the village, forcing them to flee.
During exploitation of the area, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, and 26 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The operation was subsequently extended to Gandu village within the same district, where troops engaged fleeing terrorist positions on high ground, compelling them to withdraw.
Troops maintained aggressive posture to deny terrorists freedom of action and continue patrols to ensure the security of communities in the area.
Troops conduct offensive, recover arms in Zamfara
Troops respond irrigation farms destroyed in Rinyan, Riyom LGA, Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have responded to the destruction of irrigation farms at Rinyan village in Riyom Local Government Area.
Security sources said that at about 8:30 a.m. on March 25, troops of Sector 6 reacted to a report of the destruction of farms belonging to Mr.
David Samuel Dada and six other farmers. On arrival, troops observed that cabbage and pepper crops had been completely destroyed by unidentified persons.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators, the sources added.
Troops respond irrigation farms destroyed in Rinyan, Riyom LGA, Plateau
Troops restore calm after communal clash in Nasarawa
Troops conduct offensive, recover arms in Zamfara
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