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WASSCE: 8,350 Private Candidates Sit For WAEC’s Maiden CBT Nationwide
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC said on Saturday that its maiden Computer Based Test (CBT) for WASSCE first series, for private candidates, would eliminate the major source of examination malpractice.
The council’s Head of National Office (HNO) Dr Amos Josiah Dangut stated this while monitoring the examination in some centres in Lagos.
Recall that council had stated its readiness to conduct the maiden edition of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE ) first series for private candidates, using the CBT platform.
The examination commenced on Jan. 31 and would be concluded on Feb. 17.
Dangut said that prior to the introduction of the CBT, the contents of the examination were usually let out before the test through some mischief makers who might have a role to play during the examination.
“So, I think with the introduction of this CBT, the issue of candidates having fore knowledge before the commencement of the examination will largely have been eliminated. It can no longer be business as usual.
“The major avenue, source of leakage, where we used to have supervisors carry these question papers from one point to the other will no longer obtain.
READ ALSO: WAEC Adopts CBT For SSCE
“When I say leakage, I mean the tearing of the bag containing the examination questions and sneaking out one. So, with this new concept, this will never happen.
“Again, you can see with the sitting arrangements that the candidates are also separated with cubicles that will not enable them to engage in any form of examination malpractice, coupled with the fact that they have to be dealing with different subjects at the point in time,” he said.
The council boss explained that given the CBT mode of examination, one does not need a special software to check examination malpractice, because the questions vary from one candidate to the other.
Dangut said that so far, the process had been encouraging, as there had not been any reported case of infraction or technical hitch recorded across the designated centres for the examination nationwide.
According to him, the council prepared well, did a lot of sensitisation, and gave the candidates the opportunity to try hands-on before the commencement of the examination.
He said that power supply would not affect the examination as the council had made two alternative arrangements outside public supply.
The HNO said that power was critical in choosing all the centres engaged to conduct the test.
READ ALSO: CBT WASSCE Will Cause Mass Failure In The North, Arewa Youths Express Fear
He said that the council was not on the general internet and was using the intranet for the conduct of the examination.
“Today, the general Mathematics is taking place and as you can see, everything is moving on smoothly.
“The systems are top notch, with zero hitches recorded since the commencement of the examination on Jan. 31.
“This examination is being conducted simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“We have about 8,350 candidates sitting for this examination as of today, because we have opportunity for people who want to register and start their own examination the next day.
“We call such candidates ‘walk in candidates’ and because of that too, the entry keeps going up everyday.
“For example, last week, when we were having the briefing exercise, we had about 8,230 candidates, but like I said before, as we speak, we have over 8,350 in all, because of the ‘walk in’ candidates.
READ ALSO: CBT WASSCE Will Cause Mass Failure In The North, Arewa Youths Express Fear
“Candidates who would want to sit for a paper on Monday are doing their registration today. They will have to register at least 24 hours before the commencement of the paper they intend to be examined on,” he said.
The HNO added that the WAEC Test and Training Centre (WTTC) at Ogba was one of the 10 centres being used for the examination in Lagos.
According to him, the council is optimistic that it will have a successful outing of the maiden edition of the WASSCE CBT for private candidates, given the state of its readiness.
He said that the council had interacted with the stakeholders and they had all expressed delight at the development.
“You know, perception has a lot to do with performance. The stakeholders had anticipated very well and the result is what we are getting so far.
“We have said right from onset that this is a hybrid examination. The objective questions are beamed on the screen and are answered on the screen.
READ ALSO:WAEC Set To Introduce CBT For WASSCE
“But for essay, just like this general Mathematics paper 2, you will find out that have answer booklet provided for them where they are expected to do their calculations but the questions too are beamed on the screen. That is what makes it hybrid mode,” he stated.
Dr Dangut said that results of the examination were expected to be out 45 days after the last paper.
He expressed optimism that the second series of the WASSCE for private candidates that would begin in November would also be taken through the CBT mode.
“We are encouraged with what we have now for this maiden edition.
“We sat on the drawing board, got our act right and that is why we are able to deploy the computer mode for this examination.
“So, after this one, we will also go back to the drawing board and together strategise for the second series.”
Some of the candidates who participated in the examination said it gave them the opportunity to have a feel of what obtains with other computer based tests in the age of technology.
News
NAFDAC Raises The Alarm Over Fake Milk In Circulation
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control on Friday raised the alarm over the presence of counterfeit Cowbell “Our Milk” 12g sachet milk circulating in Nigeria.
The alert posted on the agency’s website stated that Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, which is the marketing authorisation jolder and manufacturer of Cowbell “Our Milk” informed the agency about the existence of a product bearing a close resemblance to the genuine Cowbell “Our Milk” 12g sachet Milk.
“This includes unauthorised use of the brand name, packaging design, NAFDAC registration number, and trademark.
“The MAH has confirmed that these products are neither manufactured or distributed by them as the counterfeit packaging design was last used for production by the company in September 2023,” NAFDAC noted.
READ ALSO:NAFDAC Warns Against Use Of Excess Hydroquinone In Cosmetics
Differentiating, it said the genuine cowbell milk is creamy, the packaging material used is the revised PNG artwork “Our Creamy Goodness”, the printing of the batch details is done with laser printing, the coding is done on the coding area on the sachet, and the sealing and cutting on the vertical sides are automated.
It said the content of the counterfeit Cowbell 12g sachet milk does not seem like milk, the packaging material used is the old PNG artwork “Our Milk”, the printing of the batch details was done with ink instead of laser printing, the coding was not done on the coding area but on a different part of the sachet, and the sealing and cutting on the vertical sides were manually done.
It added, “The use or consumption of counterfeit Cowbell ‘Our Milk’ Milk presents serious health and safety risks.
READ ALSO:Beware Of Fake Oxycontin In Circulation, NAFDAC Warns Public
“Such products may contain harmful substances, including toxic chemicals, unapproved additives, or diluted ingredients that do not meet food safety standards.
“Consumption of counterfeit milk can result in foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, organ damage, or even death in severe cases. Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.”
The agency urged all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and mop up the counterfeit Cowbell 12g sachet Milk products within their zones and states.
“Distributors, retailers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to prevent the distribution, sale, and use of the counterfeit milk product.
READ ALSO:NAFDAC Warns Against Chemical Ripening Of Fruits
“All food products must be obtained from authorised/licensed manufacturers/suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
“Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of sale of substandard and counterfeit food products to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
“Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of counterfeited food products to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng,” it said.
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Orphaned Nigerian TikToker ‘Geh Geh’ Goes Viral, Rakes In $30,000 From One Live Session
A young Nigerian known as “Geh Geh” has captured the hearts of thousands online after his TikTok live session on Thursday drew an astonishing 177,000 viewers and reportedly earned him gifts worth over $30,000.
The social media personality, who refers to his online platform as the “University of Wisdom and Understanding,” has been making waves with his unconventional approach to advising men on relationships and finances.
In a video he posted after the live session, Geh Geh said, “More than 177,000 people watch my lectures today.
“Jesus! University of wisdom and understanding, the only university where once you graduate, woman go fear to ask you for money.”
READ ALSO:
Describing himself as the “first illiterate to find a university in the history of Nigeria,” Geh Geh reflected on his unlikely rise to fame, saying, “I no be graduate too, but by the grace of God, I don find school. I be orphan, but now Nigerians don show me love.”
According to him, the gifts received during the live were worth approximately $30,000, a feat he described as life-changing.
“See gift I made over… more gift when they give me today is worth about $30,000. I no go take this love for granted, because I no really do anything for am,” he said in a follow-up video after the live became a hit.
The viral moment has been hailed by many as a form of digital empowerment, proof that even those without formal education can leverage social media to build influence, create entertainment, and earn a living.
READ ALSO:
While his controversial teachings on money and women have sparked debates online, his story is now being seen as an inspiration to underprivileged youths.
Reflecting on the overwhelming support, he added, “If Nigeria be country wey value great people, by now them suppose dey compare people like me with Aristotle, Wole Soyinka, Einstein… but I thank God say people dey see my head and my own difference.”
His followers, now calling themselves “students” of the Geh Geh University, continue to grow, raising questions about how social platforms are redefining fame and success in Nigeria.
News
Daredevil Boko Haram Leader, Bakura Neutralized In Niger
A notorious leader of the Boko Haram insurgents, Ibrahim Mahamadu, popularly known as Bakura, has been killed in the Lake Chad Basin, the Niger Army said on Thursday.
The Army, in a statement, tagged the terrorist a “feared leader” of the group, stating that he was targeted by a fighter jet early on August 15.
“Very early in the morning of August 15, an Air Force fighter aircraft launched three targeted and successive strikes on the positions Bakura used to occupy in Shilawa,” it added.
READ ALSO:Boko Haram, ISWAP Conflict Intensifies In Lake Chad Region, Leading To Many Casualties
The statement also revealed that the Boko Haram leader, who was said to be about 40 years old, was originally from Nigeria.
He reportedly joined the terrorist group more than 13 years ago and took over leadership after Abubakar Shekau.
DAILY POST reports that Shekau, a former leader of Boko Haram, died during jihadist infighting in May 2021
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