Education

Body Decries Uniformed Personnel For Public Exams

Published

16 years ago

July 5, 2010

Exam Ethics International has decried the deployment of uniformed personnel for the conduct of public examinations as a “dangerous trend that undermines the growth of education in the country”.

The Chairman, Exam Ethics International, Mr Ike Onyechere, told news in Abuja that the agency was in support of a recent decision by the Edo State Government to disallow the use of uniformed officers to supervise the ongoing NECO examinations.

“We are fully in support of Edo State Governemnt’s decision on the issue,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that the Edo State Ministry of Education had on June 17 disallowed the use of officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as supervisors for the NECO examinations.

In its reaction to the decision on June 20, NECO’s governing board suspended the conduct of the examinations in Edo, alleging some irregularities.

It also accused the state govrnment of trying to usurp its powers in the conduct of examinations.

The face-off was, however, later resolved at a meeting between officials of National Examination Council (NECO) and the state government, resulting in the lifting of the suspension on the conduct of the examinations.

Onyechere said: “It is a standard operating procedure all over the world that uniformed military personnel are not allowed into examination halls that involve civilians.

“Even when candidates for such examinations are uniformed personnel, they must enter the hall in mufti.

“It is a global convention in view of the fact that other candidates are usually distracted and intimidated by the presence of uniformed officers in examination halls. It dramatically increases the anxiety level of the candidates.’’

He explained that military or paramilitary officers are, by the nature of their training, temperament and command structure, not suited for the role of supervision and invigilation of civilian examinations.

Onyechere said the decision by NECO to suspend its examinations in Edo State was a “cheap blackmail’’ and wrong decision that had dire consequences.

He said NECO did not have the capacity and human resources to organise its examinations without the support and collaboration of state governments.

“With less than 2,000 personnel, NECO cannot possibly supervise and invigilate examinations in more than 10,000 secondary schools across the country.

“It needs the support of state governments in the provision of exam halls, facilities and human resources,’’ he added.

Onyechere urged the Federal Government to confirm if the use of civil defence officials in the conduct of examinations was now an established policy.

He said it was important to know if the NSCDC now had the full responsibility of monitoring and supervising examinations, and the extent it could be held responsible for any operational lapses when they occurred.

“These and many more are some of the questions that need to be answered before a major decision that affects the future of children can be taken.

“The attempt by NECO to paint Edo State Government as a supporter of exam fraud is very unfortunate.

“We wish to state without fear of contradiction that Governor Adams Oshiomhole is one of the most ethics-friendly governors in Nigeria.

“He is one of the few governors who have taken serious action to sanitise the education sector,’’ he added.

Education

Uniport Appoints Prof. Princewill R. Chike as 10th Vice-Chancellor

Published

2 weeks ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

The Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt has approved the appointment of Professor Princewill R. Chike as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Prof. Chike, a former Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, will succeed Prof. Georgewill Owunari whose tenure ends on July 13, 2026.

A statement signed by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Sam Kpenu and made available to _The Tide_, said the appointment was made by the 17th Governing Council following the successful conclusion of the selection process.

“The process was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the University of Port Harcourt Act,” the statement read.

It added that the process involved the constitution of a Search Team and a Joint Council-Senate Selection Board. Both bodies carried out their responsibilities in accordance with extant laws and regulations governing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Nigerian universities.

According to the statement, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, congratulated Professor Chike on his appointment.

Senator Ohuabunwa expressed confidence in Prof. Chike’s ability to provide visionary leadership for the continued growth and development of the University.

Professor Princewill R. Chike is expected to formally assume office as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt on July 13, 2026.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Education commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct in Rivers ,, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

2 weeks ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation recently during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.

“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.

Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state

He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.

“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.

While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.

He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process. Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

RSU Law Professor Calls for Periodic Review of Nigeria’s Criminal Laws

Published

2 weeks ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

A Professor of Criminal Justice and Law at the Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwu, Port Harcourt, Prof. Clifford Anaele Nwanyanwu, has advocated for periodic review of the nation’s criminal justice administration laws to reflect current societal needs and challenges.

Prof. Nwanyanwu noted that many of the criminal justice laws in use today date back to the pre-colonial era. He questioned their efficiency in addressing modern criminal justice administration, adding that the complex nature of adjudication often allows crime to thrive.

He made the call while delivering the university’s 132nd Inaugural Lecture on Wednesday at the Senate Conference Auditorium titled: “Society as Criminal Enterprise: Unravelling a Complex Justice System.”

The erudite legal scholar clarified that the lecture was not meant to condemn the country’s justice system. Instead, he said it was intended to highlight areas that require urgent attention.

He expressed concern that criminal justice practice in Nigeria is more dysfunctional than functional, and stressed that he wants to see a system that works effectively for all citizens.

“The essence of criminal justice administration is due process, and anything contrary is not it. Plea bargains help to fast-track trial processes and reduce delays,” he stated.

However, Prof. Nwanyanwu expressed worry that the sums recovered through plea bargain arrangements are often meagre compared to the wealth looted, noting that this contradicts the purpose of the arrangement.

To strengthen the system, he recommended merit-based recruitment of judicial officers with proven character and integrity. He also called for adequate funding, infrastructure development, removal of political interference, and ethical reorientation within the judiciary.

The law professor further recommended that the state should pay compensation to citizens when security officers are found culpable for arbitrary killings, in line with the principle of vicarious liability.

In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, commended the lecturer. He described the lecture as timely and relevant to addressing the nagging challenges of crime in society.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi expressed concern over the justice system’s inability to curb the rising rate of criminal activities in the state. He added that through inaugural lectures, the university continues to provide solution-based approaches to societal challenges.

Our correspondent reports that the thought-provoking lecture was attended by stakeholders in the judicial system, judges, magistrates, scholars, and members of the university community.

By: Akujobi Amadi