Oyo State Government has reiterated that it would continue to sustain a cordial relationship with the West Africa Examinations Council for better performance of the Students in the State.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Salihu AbdulWaheed, disclosed this while receiving the Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator of the West African Examinations Council, Mr Amode Waheed, at the Ministry, Secretariat, Ibadan.
He explained that the ministry is ready to do anything that will better the lot of the students, so as to keep the flag of education flying in the state.
He implored the WAEC to always give the Ministry information time to time so that it can be passed across to stakeholders.
He thanked the Coordinator for felicitating with him and the Permanent Secretary for their new appointment by the Governor Seyi Makinde, promising to return the visit soonest.
He said: “WAEC and Oyo State government, through the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology have always been wonderful stakeholders, especially because the state government places premium on the performance of the Students in WAEC Examination.
“We would just like to mention that collaboration between WAEC and Oyo State Government should continue and, if there are areas where you need to invite or call the attention of the State Government through the Ministry of Education, the ministry is always available.
“We have been having a robust relationship with WAEC towards better performance of our students in WAEC Examination.
“I want to sincerely thank you for coming to felicitate with me and my Permanent Secretary, based on what I met on the ground, I know there are having cordial relationship between the Ministry and the WAEC.
“You can’t be where what you are, especially during our era, I cannot be Commissioner without passing through WAEC because there wasn’t any competitive examination body during that time than WAEC.
“I am so happy to hear also that my state does not owe WAEC because I know some states that are indebted to WAEC and you decided to withhold their results.”
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr.Olusanjo Adeniyi, commended the WAEC for being a partner in progress with Oyo state government, urging them to make the relationship continue.
Earlier, in his remarks, the Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator of the West African Examinations Council, Mr Amode Waheed, said the purpose of the visit was to congratulate the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary for their appointments.
He said WAEC usually identified with the State government by giving a School in Oyo State a national Award (Air force school) and provided much furniture for the Loyola College School in Ibadan, adding Oyo state is not part of the States that owes WAEC fees.
He pledged the continuous relationship with the Ministry, so as to take the educational system in the state to greater height.
The meeting was witnessed by the Director of Secondary School in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr Akanji OLayinka and a host of others
