By Stephen Adeleye.
Mr Echaddeus Ajabu, the Kogi State Coordinator of the National Examinations Council (NECO), has reaffirmed that its Certificates are up to date and acceptable worldwide.
Ajabu, who newly assumed office in Kogi, gave the assurance during an advocacy visit to the Caretaker Chairman, Lokoja Local Government Area (LGA)
He noted that the visit was to familiarise himself with the relevant stakeholders in the state as well as enlighten the people on the mandates and operations of NECO.
He explained that one of the core mandates of the Council as espoused in the enabling Act is the conduct of the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for internal and external candidates.
He added that other NECO’s examinations includes: National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as well as the Gifted Examination (GIFTED).
According to him, the GIFTED programme is designed to identify exceptionally talented children at the primary school level, bringing them together in the same environment at the secondary school level.
“I am new in Kogi, and there is need to familiarise with critical stakeholders, and enlighten them about NECO mandates and operations in Nigeria and beyond.
“We have paid advocacy visits to the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), the Police, Army, NSCDC, Traditional Rulers, House of Assembly, among others
“Our Certificates are upto date and accepted worldwide in all institutions.
“NECO is expanding and has Six Zonal offices across the country.
“NECO is written in six African countries which include: Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Gabon, Togo, Benin Republic, Niger Republican and Cote’Ivoire.
“It is also written in United Arab Emirate (UAE) and Saudi Arabia especially the 2024 SSCE internal, which was the first ever conducted in the country,” Ajabu said.
He noted that the NECO Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi is developing NECO with both improved welfare packages and new structures across the States.
The coordinator added that the Registrar had bought and distributed photocopying machines, computers, scanners and other equipment for ICT development in NECO offices across the states.
He added: “Interestingly, NECO Results can be checked through an App at one’s comfort zone known as e-Verify.
“The Registrar has done a lot of things and has actually expand the Council beyond the shores of Nigeria with innovations”.
Ajabu also noted that the council has put the necessary measures in place to curb all forms of exam malpractices during the conduct of NECO examinations.
In his response, Mr Aliyu Musa Omuwa, the Director of Lokoja Government (DLG), who spoke on behalf of the CTC Abdullahi Adamu, appreciated the NECO state coordinator for the visit.
The DLG commended the Registrar for the tremendous improvement in the conduct of NECO examinations by ensuring the required minimum standards nationwide and beyond.
Omuwa further commended the Registrar for changing the wrong perspective of the public about NECO SSCE Certificate, stressing that it has become a visble alternative to WAEC.
“If you don’t tell us the details about what you are selling, we will not know the value of your products.
“It is now very clear to us that WEAC is not superior to NECO; NECO is a strong alternative to WAEC,” he said.
