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WAEC reopens Calabar office after #Endsars destruction

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WAEC Calabar Office Reopen
WAEC Calabar Office Reopen
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The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has reopened its office in Calabar after it was destroyed by hoodlums who hijacked the #EndSars protest on Oct. 24, 2020.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported that the hoodlums destroyed the office buildings, vandalised cars, furniture, and certificates among others.

Speaking on Monday in Calabar, the Head of National Office of WAEC, Mr Patrick Areghan, said that the examination body received the news of the destruction in Lagos with sadness.

According to Areghan, the destruction on the examination body is condemnable, coming at a period when the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the world economy and also disrupting the academic calendar.

He maintained that the complete renovation, rehabilitation and equipping of the Calabar office was to give it a facelift with a view to continue to render service to the people of the state.

He said that the concern of WAEC was the safety of its staff during the destruction, adding that the examination body places premium on the welfare and safety of its staff.

“The hoodlums attacked the premises of WAEC on Oct. 24, 2020. They destroyed the building and furniture, vandalised vehicles and carted away valuables.

“After the destruction, some government officials from the state government and other stakeholders visited the place and made some promises, but, we are yet to see the fulfilment of those promises made.

“As a body of examination, we exist to serve the Nigerian child and satisfy the interests of other stakeholders.

“The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the academic calendar; hence the 2021 May/June WAEC did not hold as usual. The 2021 WAEC examination has been scheduled to start on Aug. 16 in Nigeria,” he said.

He thanked members of the All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS) and other stakeholders for their support for the examination body in the state.

He urged staff of the council to ensure that COVID-19 protocols are strictly adhered to during the conduct of the examination.

Branch Controller of WAEC in Cross River, Mr Oladele Ezekiel, said that after the destruction on Oct. 24, Gov. Ben Ayade visited the office on Nov. 3.

He said that the governor, while assuring the council of his support to get back to business, promised the office two Hilux pick-up vehicles and the renovation of the damaged buildings.

“The office followed up the promises rigorously but all to no avail.

“With great difficulty, the office relocated its operations to the Uyo zonal office for the safe custody of all security materials and the provision of our services to meet the needs of the Cross River residents and other clients.

“The journey to and from Uyo was not a pleasant one as it was stressful and risky while the road was in serious state of despair with attendant effects on our operations.

“The management heard our groaning and sent us a coaster bus to alleviate our transportation problems.

“Furthermore, the management came and saw our pitiable state and the head of national office gave us hope that the office would be renovated before the next examination in 2021, here we are today,” he said.

He thanked the head of the national office and his management team for their profound interest and genuine concerns for the entire staff and the office at large.

In his goodwill message, the Secretary of ANCOPPS in Cross River, Mr Dermot Tawo, condemned the destruction on WAEC office.

Tawo gave the assurance that they would continue to partner with the council to promote service delivery in the state.(NAN)

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Education

Bamidele Urges Academic Integrity at FUTES Iyin Ekiti Matriculation, Pledges N200m Annual Research Grant

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Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
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The Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has urged pioneer students of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin Ekiti, to uphold academic integrity and discipline as they begin their academic journey.

Bamidele gave the charge  during the maiden matriculation ceremony of the institution, where over 1,500 students were formally admitted into various programmes.

Addressing the students, the lawmaker stressed the importance of education in national development and called on them to key into the vision behind the establishment of the specialised university.

He recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the establishment of FUTES on February 20, 2025, to advance agricultural, technological and environmental studies, with the goal of producing job creators and problem solvers.

Bamidele expressed optimism that the take-off of the institution would contribute significantly to Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a leader in specialised technology and production in Africa and on the global stage.

As part of his support for the institution’s growth, the Senate Leader pledged an annual N200 million research grant to boost its academic development, in addition to other supports he had previously extended to the university.

He commended the Governing Council and Management of FUTES for ensuring the smooth and timely take-off of the institution.

Bamidele also expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for his support for the project. He thanked traditional rulers, including Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaiye, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, as well as clergymen and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful launch of the university.

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UNIBEN Bans Sign-Out Celebrations, Warns of Severe Sanctions for Violators

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The management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, has banned all forms of sign-out celebrations by graduating students.

The announcement was contained in a circular issued on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, by the university’s Registrar, Ademola Bobola.

According to the statement, the decision followed a management meeting held on Monday, where the institution reaffirmed an earlier Senate resolution prohibiting such activities on campus.

“The management declared that no sign-out celebration of any kind, including signing on T-shirts and playing of music, will be tolerated,” the circular read.

Bobola warned that any student found violating the directive would face severe disciplinary actions, including rustication, expulsion, or withdrawal of certificate.

He added that the university would not condone any form of disorderly conduct, unauthorised gatherings, or parading of vehicles during or after examinations.

The Registrar also announced that unauthorised vehicles would be barred from entering the campuses during the last week of the second-semester examination.

In addition, the management prohibited large gatherings around faculties, schools, or institutes after examinations and directed photographers not to set up photo stands or galleries for such purposes.

Bobola further advised parents and guardians of final-year students to stay away from campus premises, particularly on the last day of examinations, to avoid any breach of the directive.

He urged members of the university community to adhere strictly to the management’s position, warning that violations would attract “severe disciplinary sanctions, including withdrawal of certificate, rustication, and expulsion.”

 

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OAU Medical Student Dies by Suicide After Failing Exam Twice

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The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been thrown into mourning following the death of a part-two medical student, Ajibola Ibitayo, who reportedly took his own life after failing an examination for the second time.

In a statement on Thursday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, said Ibitayo, with matriculation number DEN/2021/023, was a student in the Faculty of Dentistry. The results of the last semester examinations, released on Wednesday, indicated that he would have to repeat Part Two for another academic year, having already repeated the class once.

According to the statement, the student, whose father is a medical doctor, allegedly injected himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State.

Saddened by the incident, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simeon Bamire, appealed to parents and guardians to help young people understand that setbacks are a natural part of life and not the end of their aspirations. He urged students to see failure as a redirection toward greater achievements.

Bamire prayed for comfort for the bereaved family, the Faculty of Dentistry, the College of Health Sciences, and the entire university community over the tragic loss.

 

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