The National Examinations Council (NECO) says it has paid the allowances of all 72,138 examiners who were ad hoc staff in the 2024 senior school certificate examination (SSCE).

The council was responding to social media reports claiming it had deliberately refused to pay the examiners.

In a statement on Wednesday, Azeez Sani, the council spokesperson, said NECO began paying the examiners on bank basis since October 4, 2024.

“This was to ensure easy reconciliation and to avoid clumsiness in the payment process. NECO has completed the payment of the examiners allowances as at today Wednesday 13th November, 2024 according to the payment plan of the Council,” the statement reads.

“Also, it was discovered in the process that some Examiners submitted incorrect bank details, which the Council has reconciled with the affected examiners. Out of the 24 banks being used for the payment, all the banks have been cleared.

“It is therefore incorrect and false as being speculated recently in the social media that the Council has deliberately refused to pay Examiners engaged in the conduct of the 2024 SSCE Internal.

“The Management advice that any person(s) engaged by the Council should seek clarification/explanation from it, on matters oblivious to them before resorting to the Media.

“NECO wishes to reassure its esteemed Examiners and other ad-hoc Staff that the Council cherishes their invaluable contributions to the effective conduct of its examination and will therefore not take their renumeration for granted.”

The Abia state government says all students will receive free education up to secondary school level, starting from January 2025.

The policy aligns with the 2006 Abia State Child Rights Law and reaffirms the government’s commitment to providing universal access to basic education.

Okey Kanu, the commissioner for information and culture, said the policy aims to eliminate financial barriers to education for children in Abia state.

He said beginning January 2025, parents and guardians who fail to send their children or wards to school will face legal consequences.

Kanu emphasised that non-compliance with the education directive will be treated as a punishable offence.

“There is no reason whatsoever why parents should not send their children to school,” he said.

“The issue of indigency is no longer the reason for non acquisition of free and basic education in Abia State.

“As from the 1st of January 2025, when this policy will come into full effect, parents who default would be prosecuted under that law. This course is part of the reforms that are ongoing in the educational sector.”

The commissioner also highlighted the ongoing educational reforms in the state, which include efforts to improve infrastructure and support for workers.

He added the government remains committed to the relocation order of Abia State University’s Umuahia campus to Uturu.
Kanu said the government will engage with affected stakeholders to address any concerns raised.

Keystone Bank Limited has commended Governor Lawal’s giant strides in human capital development in Zamfara State.

The bank’s Managing Director, Hassan Imam, led top management officials on a courtesy visit to the governor on Saturday at the Government House in Gusau.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the bank is renovating Sarkin Kudu Primary School and Sambo Secondary School, all in the state capital, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

While addressing the bank’s management, Governor Lawal praised Keystone’s efforts and committed to making Zamfara State a favorable environment for all businesses.

“It is well known that we inherited a highly dysfunctional system in Zamfara State. However, this does not serve as an excuse for failing to perform.

Instead, we are focused on finding the best ways to advance the state, and that is precisely what we are doing.

“Education is essential to everything we do in life today. It forms the backbone of a better society. In my administration, education is the second priority after security.

“I want to express my gratitude for this gesture. As I mentioned, this intervention will go down in history as a testament to your bank’s role in our success story.

“Insha’Allah, Zamfara will become an even greater state. I am committed to ensuring that we compete with other states in Nigeria in every aspect.

“I look forward to commissioning these schools shortly upon their completion. Thank you very much for this intervention.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Keystone Bank, Hassan Imam, disclosed that the management deliberated on the intervention area before deciding to focus on the complete renovation and overhaul of schools as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

“What you have achieved in just 17 months has surpassed what others have accomplished in over 20 years.

You have excelled in education, health, and infrastructure. I don’t have enough time to list everything you have done for Zamfara State, but anyone visiting will witness the multi-billion-dollar construction of the metropolitan road.

“We are here to support you because we recognize the hard work you’re putting in. After much discussion, we decided to focus on education and chose two primary and secondary schools.

We are conducting a complete renovation and overhaul of Sarkin Kudu Primary School and Sambo Secondary School, located in the state capital.

“As we speak, the contractors are already on site, and the work has commenced,” he said.

SULAIMAN BALA IDRIS
Spokesperson for the Zamfara Governor
November 09, 2024