WAEC says it successfully standardised public examinations

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says it has successfully standardised public examinations in Nigeria in its 65 years of existence.

Mr Olu Adenipekun, WAEC Head of National Office (HNO), told Newsverge on Friday in Lagos that the council would also celebrate its 65th anniversary during Council Meeting in March.

“WAEC has succeeded in the standardisation of public examinations

“It has also contributed significantly to maintaining standard of education at the secondary school level in the five-member countries in West Africa.

“These are achievements that cannot be taken away from WAEC,’’ Adenipekun told Newsverge.

He said the examination body was contributing to youths’ empowerment and development in the sub region, thus providing them opportunities beyond examinations.

“We are now ready to take the youths in by talking to them; making them to realised those opportunities that are lying ahead of life beyond examination,’’ he said.

Adenipekun added that life was not all about writing examination and passing or failing.

“We want to make the youth realise that if one writes examination and fails, it only means one should pick up courage, look closely, seek the reason for the failure, recoup and move on.

“Just remain focused and at the end of the day, achieve your aim; that is what we call tenacity and that is what we are preaching to today’s youths,’’ the WAEC boss said.

He said that the March 20 – 24 council meeting in Abuja would allow stakeholders to rub minds and appraise WAEC activities and operations in the member countries.

“We are looking forward to a very successful hosting of the council meeting in March in Abuja.

“We started preparations for this council meeting five years ago when Nigeria hosted other member-countries at the 60th council meeting in 2012.

“Because of this we are now confident to start inviting key stakeholders that will grace the occasion,’’ he said.

Newsverge reports that WAEC was established in 1952 and has since been contributing to education in Anglophone countries of West Africa.

In 1982, the Council established an endowment fund to contribute to education in West Africa through lectures and aids to those who could not afford education.