Happenings

The West African Examinations Council(WAEC) in Ghana has with held the results of all the  26, 434 candidates who sat for the 2018 West African Secondary School Certificate Examination(WASSCE) .

This followed several cases of malpractices that are been investigated by the examination body.

According to a statement by the Head of Public Affiars ,WAEC National office, Mrs. Agnes Teye-Cudjoe, ''The with held results of candidates will be cancelled if found culpable, or released if otherwise''. 

''A total of 316,999 candidates made up of 158,550 males and 158,449 females from 946 school were registered for the examination, representing 9.6 per cent higher than the 2017 candidature of 289,207 but some 1,378 candidates did not show up.

 Performance in English and Mathematics declined but improved in Integrated Science and Social Studies compared to that of the 2017 candidates''.

''"Based on the provisional results, the performance at Al- C6 in Social Studies showed a marked improvement over that of 2017 (52.25 per cent to 73.27 per cent), while Integrated Science recorded a slight improvement (43.66 per cent to 50.52 per cent).

"On the contrary, Mathematics (Core) showed a drop in performance from 2017 (42.73 per cent to 38.33 per cent). Similarly, there was a drop in the performance in English Language (54.06 per cent to 46.79 per cent),"  ''For English Language, 147,232 candidates (46.79 per cent) obtained grades A1 to C6; 99,402 (31.60 per cent) scored D7-E8 while 68,002 (21.61 per cent) had F9''..

In the Core Mathematics paper, 120,519 candidates (33 per cent) had A1-C6; 94,607 (30.09 per cent) obtained D7-E8 while 99,275 (31.58 per cent) scored F9''.

''A total of 158,691 (50.52 per cent), obtained A1-C6 in Integrated Science: with 109,069 (34.72 per cent) getting D7-E8 whilst 46,367 (14.76 per cent) had F9''.

'' For Social studies, 230, 141(73.27 per cent) obtained A1-C6; 46, 464(14.79 per cent) obtained D7-E8  whilst 37, 494(11.94 per cent) had F9.

'' The council is alerting members of the public especially candidates to be wary of  impostors, who promise to change examination results for a fee''. Candidates are to note that all WAEC results are well secured and can be authenticated. Persons with forged results will be exposed'', the statement concluded.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a political leader of Yoruba extraction, who lived by example.

His leadership impacted positively on the Yoruba people, in all spheres of life. However, it is doubtful if those who hold sway in this dispensation followed his footsteps.

Chief Awolowo had a formidable political structure that outlived him. In his time, politcal meetings were held at his Ikenne home in Ogun state.

After the passing on to glory of Chief Awolowo, in the days of military rule, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, took over the mantle of leadership and meetings were held at his Owo home, Ondo state.

During this period, the National Democratic Coalition(NADECO) came into being.

After Chief Ajasin did his beat, Pa Abraham Adesanya  took over the structure up till the end of the military era.

In the course of Pa Adesanya's leadership, those who could best be described as pseudo-Awoists and pseudo-democrats, were accepted into the fold, sadly, the true and real progressives were barred, due to the fact that they took up apointments in the military regime of the late despot, Gen. Sani Abacha.

Now known as Afenifere, the group restricted its membership, while maintaining a closely knit relationship with the Alliance for Democracy(AD).

At a glance, Afenifere was composed of the first generaton Awoists, the second 11 and the unknown elements.  

The unknown  elements eventually hijacked the structure through unconventionl means.

Of the first generation Awoists, only  a one time Governor of Lagos state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande is still alive.

However, Chiefs Bisi Akande and Segun Osoba belong to the second 11, while others were not yet into reckoning during the functonal period of the group

At a point in time, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, the Director of organization of  the Unity Party of Nigeria(UPN) then, stated that in 1982, during the last convention of the UPN, Chief Awolowo expressed the hope that  a time will come, when the good elements in the  conservatives  will join the good elements in the progressives to form a synthesis.

But present happenings in the political sphere has defied this theory, rather polarization and division are tools that have brought about the present scheme of things.

Of note, is the fact that the progressives of the time past, embarked on laudable programes such as free education, to empower the Yoruba people.

Sadly, capitalist inclined policies, nocturnal ideals and preferences are the working tools of today's leaders in the South-west geo-political zone of Nigeria, to the chagrin of the disillusioned and impoverished people.

The new definition of the progresives includes, but is not limited to, the paymnt of school fees in Primary and Secondary schools, introduction of mulitple tax regime and the preference for  mediocrity and people with doubtful educational qualificatons, to carry out government duties. So sad.

The electorate in Nigeria   have been advised to resist the temptations of selling their votes in the 2019 general elections.

This advice was given by the  Oyo state Chairman of the Young Democratic Party(YDP)Mr. Chris Ayantoye, in an interaction with PEOPLE.

''It is very unfortunate that in present day Nigeria, Nigerian citizens are still been deceived to sell their votes for money. It is not only sad, but regrettable, when people are seen struggling to collect money for their votes. I call on Nigerians not sell their votes in the coming 2019 general elections'', Mr. Ayantoye advised.

 The  Oyo state chapter of the Young Democratic Party Calls on all the good people of Oyo state to Collect their Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) from the INEC offices nearest to them

For further information, contact 08068964410/08104658995/07035538970

The Ugandan Government is planning to review the tax regime it recently introduced on Social Media.

The government's decision is coming on the heels of street protests against the tax in the country's capital by Ugandans.

According to the Prime Minister, Ruhakama Rugunda, the government had taken into consideration the  response of the public to the tax.

"Government is now reviewing the taxes taking into consideration the concerns of the public and an amended bill will be debated on July 19," said Rugunda.

 A levy of Ush200 (or Sh6) per person on a daily basis was introduced by government, before users could be able to access WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Mobile internet users are required  to input a code on their phones to pay the charge before they are able to access social media sites.

Kenyan are expressing reservations over the plans of government to introduce a single uniform for all student in the country.

They insist that the action ogf government would encourage corruption, politcal patronage and favoritism.

Ghana and Tnazania are among the few countries in Africa that have implemented the policy, where students in all public schools wear the same uniform,  that is only differentiated by badges.

Not long ago the Principal Secretary of Education, Dr. Bell Kipsang amde government's intention known at a forum at the Moi University owned Rivatex company.

"As we move towards having the same uniform and fabric in all our schools, we want Rivatex to prepare so that they are able to play a role in the manufacture of the uniforms that will be required" Dr Kipsang  disclosed.

Kenyans  have risen against the plan of Government to enforce the wearing of identical uniforms by students in all the schools in the country.

They insist that the policy will encourage corruption and favoritism.

Ghana and Tanzania  are among the few countries in Africa with  policies where students in all public schools wear same uniform that are only differentiated by school badges.

The Namibian Government wil from next month increase the pensions and grauities of retireesin the country by $50.

This disclosure was made in a statement  by the Ministry of Poverty  Eradication.

According to the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, I-Ben Nashandi, the increase would be backdated to April, this year.

The statement disclosed that  all beneficiaries will receive N$1 450 in August,  including a N$200 back pay for April, May, June and July.

It then stated that subsequently, a monthly amount of N$1 250 will be paid out to all beneficiaries as from September 2018.