Senator Ifeanyi Okowa
Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State and the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday debunked reports that he had no West African School Certificate (WASC), saying he made the second-best result during his set in 1976.
He said that the issue surrounding the certificate was a deliberate wrong perception and unnecessary politics, saying that virtually all universities in the country offered him admission based on his outstanding performance in WASC and Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations.
Okowa disclosed this while speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing projects at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area.
He said: “On the issue of my certificate, I think it is a misconception.
People try to play politics with everything. Yes, I lost my WAEC certificate, but I have the printout from Edo College, Benin City, which clearly stated that I have distinction in all subjects.
“The Higher School Certificate was attached and it has been acknowledged by Edo College and the school put it out there that I made an ‘A’ ‘B’ and ‘B’. “I do not pride myself but it was very difficult to make such a grade in high school at that time. My high school result was the second-best nationally in 1976 when I finished.
READ ALSO:
So, many universities admitted me through telegram at that time, and I had to start making choices of which to accept.
“Of course, it’s very clear that I finished medical school at the University of Ibadan. I was 21 years and some months; I was less than 22 years of age.’’
On the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the governor called on the Federal Government to expedite action in resolving the issues, adding that every government should be sincere enough to keep to promises and agreements at all times.
“We continue to sympathise with our students who have been at home for several months now rather than being in school. I use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to do something urgently to end the strike.
It’s not a good thing for the children, parents and even education in general. Unfortunately, the Federal Government has not been able to attend to issues as requested by ASUU.
“For every government, if promises are made, we must ensure that we keep to our promises and if there are things that cannot be done, you let people know,’’ he said.
Okowa remarked that lecturers were not on strike in the four universities owned by the state, saying, “For us in Delta State, we are fulfilling all the requirements and that is why you can see that this university and our three other universities are all active and in session because we do not have any issues with our lecturers.
“All our four universities are in session because we pay special attention to education in Delta State, and our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has also assured that education occupies a prime position in our ‘Rescue Nigeria Mission.’”
He expressed satisfaction with the management of the university in Ozoro for successfully admitting 1,850 students in the first year, disclosing that no fewer than 3,000 applicants chose the university as the first choice in the new session starting in October.
“That over 3,000 applicants have chosen the University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, as the first choice is very heart-warming and it goes to show that our decision to upgrade the Polytechnic to a University of Science and Technology is a very good decision.”
He also lauded the university for using the engineering students to execute some projects in the school.
“We walked through some concrete paved roads executed by the university with engineering students and it is very encouraging that they are putting their students to practice and their lecturers also have the opportunity to practicalise what they teach.
“You will recall in the same manner when the school was a polytechnic that they used their students and their engineering staff to build the stadium on the campus.
“This is very encouraging because we must ensure that our students are not only groomed up in theory but also put to practice what they learn and that’s exactly what we look forward to,” the governor said.
DAILY INDEPENDENT
NURTW scribe felicitates Nigerians on Xmas, urges caution The General Secretary of the National…
Why we displayed 'Jesus Christ is not God' banner at Lekki mosque -Imam …
CBN fines bank found hoarding cash N150m The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed…
Lagos-Calabar coastal road: Train track work begins 2025, says minister The Federal Government plans to…
Three days to Christmas, food prices, transport fares hit the roof According to the Universal Declaration of Human…
Three Ogun varsity students die in auto crash The Police Command in Ogun State has…