Indigenes of Kogi State across the 21 local government areas have commended governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello for paying the West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees of students in the state’s public schools, saying he has cast his name in gold with the laudable initiative.
The indigenes, under the aegis of Kogi Collective Interest Group (KOGIC), said the approval for the immediate disbursement of the N497 million meant to foot this bill came as a big relief, adding that the governor had lifted a heavy burden from parents’ shoulders during this challenging economic period.
In a statement signed by the coordinator, KOCIG, Chief Yusuf Abdulganiyu, the indigenes declared that the governor had given the most valuable palliative that any government could give the citizens in the current economic situation.
He said, “It is with a reassuring hope in the future of this state, that Kogi Collective Interest Group, KOCIG, welcomes the news of the approval of N497million to pay for the WAEC fees of all public school students in Kogi State.
“As a coalition made up of thousands of Kogites from the 21 local government areas of the state and committed to the overall development of Kogi State, it came as a big relief and a pleasant surprise that the state governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, has decided to lift such a heavy burden from parents’ shoulders at this challenging economic period of our nation.
“This is the best and most valuable palliative that any government can give the citizens in the current economic situation and our Governor has done exceedingly well on this vital policy of supporting millions of Kogi State students and their parents to fulfill their academic target of writing their WAEC without the financial burdens attached to it.
“By this unprecedented action of the Governor, no student in Kogi State would suffer the harrowing misfortune of missing out on sitting for the WAEC as happens every year across Nigeria. By our research and study, 15 to 20% of students qualified to write WAEC, nationwide, drop out of the all-important examination due to the inability of the parents to pay the WAEC fees. Therefore, for a state Governor to undertake to assist the students in this manner is not only commendable but also highly exemplary.
“We believe that his Zero Out-Out-of-School policy is not a mere talk nor is it a political propaganda tool. In fact, hardly can you find a Governor in an election year who can spare such a huge amount of money to support students’ education which others would have diverted to electioneering/campaign. He has demonstrated his capacity to walk the talk and we are so proud of him,” he said.
