Kogi refunds N276m WAEC fees to 24, 172 parents

Lokoja – Kogi Government has started refunding

N276,769,400 West African Examinations Council

(WAEC) fees to 24,172 parents across the State.

The exercise, which started on Thursday with the

issuance of cheque leaves to concerned students

of St. Augustine Grammar School, Kabba, was in

line with an earlier promise of the state

government to refund the fees.

Professor Mathew Ajibero, Chairman of

Verification and Reconciliation Committee set up

by the state government, said the refund was for

students who sat for 2014/2015 WAEC

examinations.

He said the committee was able to establish that

only 24,172 sat for that the examinations in the

state, adding that each of them will receive

N11,500 being the amount paid by their parents

as WAEC fee.

He said the committee, through the verification,

was able to save over N200 million from N515

million initially brought forward for payment.

Also read: WAEC withholds 118 101 results

Governor Idris Wada had while suspending the

payment of WAEC fees early this year, said some

dubious and corrupt officials hijacked the gesture

to enrich themselves.

Wada said specifically that the officials inflated

the amount from N270 million in 2012 when he

assumed office to over N500 million in 2015.

Ajibero said the committee, in the course of its

assignment, engaged officials of the Ministry of

Education and Teaching Service Commission for

adequate fact finding.

Other members of the committee are Hajia Ladi

Ibrahim and Ibrahim Odoma.

Speaking on behalf of the benefitting students,

Master Ayo Michael described the development as

a surprise, and commended Wada for being a man

of his words.

“Wada has proven to the younger generations

that he is truly a leader that keeps promise and

lead with the fear of God,” he said.