NECO lauds Gov Zulum for regular payments of Borno students exams fees

The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Examinations Council (NECO), Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi has commended Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum for his prompt and regular payments of NECO Examinations fees since he assumed office in 2019 to date.

Professor Wushishi also requested Borno State government to make all NECO conducted examinations, that is , the SSCE (internal) , Basic Education Certificate Examination ( BECE ) and the National Common Entrance Examination ( NCEE ) compulsory for all pupils and students schools in the State.

The Registrar made the commendation and request when he paid a courtesy call to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

He further requested the Governor’s kind intervention in the completion and furnishing of NECO office complex at the permanent site located in the premises of Shehu Mustapha Umar El- Kanemi Arabic Teachers College, Maiduguri, Disclosing that, the office complex would be named after Governor Zulum when completed.

The CEO also noted that NECO is faced with serious logistics problems, especially, the transportation of its sensitive materials to examinations venues such as question papers while requesting Borno State government to assist NECO with three single Cabin Hilux Vehicles to assist in transportation of NECO’s materials across the three Senatorial Districts of Borno State.

“The NECO Examinations have a lot of advantages to Nigeria and Nigerians. States can access the level of performance of their candidates in comparison to other States for the purpose of improving standard and quality of education in their States.

“NECO Certificates are recognized all over Nigeria and the International community which open easy access for admission into tertiary institutions in any part of Nigeria and across the globe,” said Wushishi.

Responding, the Secretary to the Borno State Government (SSG ) , Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa who represented Governor Babagana Umara Zulum during the courtesy call by the Management of NECO, said notwithstanding the decade long Boko Haram insurgency that saw hundreds of schools destroyed in various parts of the State with thousands of school age children made to remain out of school for quite number of years.

He added that with undeniable resolve and common determination of Governor Zulum to essentialize and develop the education sector, students are now fully participating in various educational pursuit including NECO and they have been performing well.

The SSG added that this is why Governor Zulum has been fulfilling his obligation and financial commitment to all the relevant examinations bodies in the country, particularly, WAEC and NECO.

“As Agency tasked with Primary responsibilities of developing policy guidelines for the assessment of students and conduct of examinations for admissions into tertiary institutions in the country, your achievements over the years have been quite a success story especially, in respect of preparing our youths for the future.

“You are undoubtedly discharging your duty faithfully and impartial with required viability hence students are always enthusiastic about sitting for NECO examinations.

“However, I feel the compelling needs for the management of NECO to embark on massive and widespread sensitisation and public enlistment campaign about statutory mandate of the Commission.

“At the moment , not much is known about NECO and its activities other than the fact that it conducts examinations into higher institutions.

“People generally regard NECO as Secondary to WAEC or JAMB which should not, the management should articulate formidable ways and means of letting the public know and appreciate the importance of the Commission to the educational development of the country,” Shuwa said.