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Mixed Reactions Trail Jail Term For Exam Cheats
Mixed reactions yesterday trailed the decision of the Federal Government to punish culprits of examination malpractice with a five-year jail term or N200, 000 fine or both.
Our correspondent reports that the approval was given by the Federal Executive Council last Wednesday for the amendment of the West African Examinations Council Act.
Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, Mr Taiwo Taiwo, said that it was a step in the right direction.
“I think it is a step in the right direction because the rate of cheating in examinations is becoming alarming and to that extent, it must be curbed,’’ Taiwo said.
He however advised that the law must be implemented across board and not to favour the privileged in the society.
Speaking in similar manner, another Lagos lawyer, Mr Wale Ogunade, said the implementation of the law would be difficult when the offenders were of higher social statusf.
Ogunade said cheating was being encouraged by some wealthy individuals, who had the resources to influence supervisors and purchase examination questions papers for their children.
“There was a law on examination malpractice before. Has it been implemented?,” he asked.
Ogunade said the best way to tackle the menace, was to improve the welfare of teachers and provide conducive learning environment for the students.
A lawyer and public commentator, Mr Jiti Ogunye, told newsmen that the amendment would not deter exam cheats.
Ogunye urged stakeholders in the education sector, to convene an emergency summit on how to proffer lasting solutions to the problem.
“It is not just a matter of criminalising the conduct and penalising the offenders.
“Most of the students are minors and you cannot send them to jail. The best you can do, is to send them to correctional homes,” he said.
Mr Debo Adeniran, Executive Chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), a non-governmental organisation, said Nigerian students deserved proper learning environment.
“It is those who are operating special centres where children are encouraged to cheat that should be in jail.
“It is those who have failed to provide the necessary learning facilities in schools that should be in jail.
“You can’t stop examination malpractices as long as students are not being taught properly,” he said.
It would be recalled that in a bid to curb the widespread vice of exam malpractice amongst Nigerian students, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, had proposed a jail term of 5 years and a fine of N200,000 or both for any students caught cheating during external examinations.
This followed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval of the memo from the Ministry of Education seeking to amend the WAEC Act 2004 in line with the 2003 convention in Ghana.
Briefing State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting last Wednesday, Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, said the proposal for the amendment would be forwarded to the National Assembly towards domesticating the convention in Nigeria.
The minister, who attended the briefing alongside the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu and Minister of Environment, Hadiza Mailafia, said the new penalties also involved barring offenders from taking the examination in future.
She said, “with this amendment, any person that may be caught in one of those acts will now be fined the sum of N200, 000 or he may be imprisoned for five years or both depending on the establishment of that offence.”
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
