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Students In Lagos Schools May Miss WASSCE Registration

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Some students in public secondary schools in Lagos State may miss being registered for this year’s West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations, WASSCE, to be conducted by the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, because of the inability of their parents to pay N8,100 levy.

Lagos State government pays the WASSCE fees of students in public secondary schools, but parents who are working in the informal sector would have to pay the levy, while those working in the formal sector would make do with their tax clearance certificates.

Checks by Vanguard showed that some of the students, whose parents were unable to pay the levy were shut out of the free registration process last week, which was initially fixed as the deadline for registration for the exam by WAEC.

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However, a saving grace came their way at the weekend when WAEC extended the registration till February 24, this year.

READ ALSO: WASSCE: 8,350 Private Candidates Sit For WAEC’s Maiden CBT Nationwide

It was learned that due to the economic situation in the country, some parents were unable to pay the levy.

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A parent, whose child is at Igbo Owu Senior Secondary School, Work Yard, near Majekodunmi Street, Mushin, lamented her ordeal to our correspondent.

“I am a petty trader and who struggles to take care of her children. We all know what the situation in the country is now. The cost of living is high and business is not like it was before. The state government just introduced this levy for final year students this year. They said people should show their tax clearance certificates or pay that levy.

” I tried as much as I could but could not make the deadline last week and the school authorities told me that my child would not be registered for the examination. We appreciate the state government for helping parents pay the exam fee, but they should know that not all parents work in the formal sector where they can get a tax clearance certificate to show, ” she said.

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READ ALSO: CBT WASSCE Will Cause Mass Failure In The North, Arewa Youths Express Fear

When contacted on the phone, the Commissioner for Secondary and Basic Education, Hon Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said the state government should be commended for taken the burden of the exam fee off parents’ shoulders.

“We are not asking the parents to pay any tax, especially those in informal setting. We only ask the for N8, 100 levy, that is less than N650 monthly. Those in formal setting who have tax deducted from their salaries have tax clearance certificates that cover them.

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However, i don’t think that is too much for the parents because Lagos State government pays the WAEC examination fees of all students in public secondary schools and that runs into billions of naira.

“In how many states do they do that? Not even in FCT that they pay such on behalf of parents. if we now ask parents to show commitment and responsibility by paying that levy, i don’t think is is too much. Tax is paid everywhere in tbe world and it drives growth. I am not aware that some people were unable to meet the deadline. That has not come to my notice. Even the deadline is not about Lagos State, it is WAEC issue. Their examinations will start in March and they have the deadline to tidy things up, ” he said.

 

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

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READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

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Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

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I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

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