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Funso Doherty slams LASG over 54.3% WASSCE failure rate, calls for urgent reforms

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Funso Doherty slams LASG over 54.3% WASSCE failure rate, calls for urgent reforms

Funso Doherty, former Lagos gubernatorial candidate, has raised alarm over the reported 54.3% failure rate among the state’s public school students in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), describing the figure as a “deeply troubling” indictment of the state’s governance over the last two decades.

In an open letter dated April 26, 2025, addressed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Doherty cited revelations by the state’s commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education during a recent ministerial briefing that 31,000 out of 58,188 students who sat for the exam in Lagos State public schools failed.

This figure is deeply troubling,” Doherty wrote. “In a state with a predominantly youthful population, it serves as a harsh indictment of governance outcomes over the past 26 years, spanning the current and previous administrations since 1999. It reflects a disconnect between the priorities of government and the pressing needs of the less-privileged majority.”

He further warned that the poor academic outcomes signaled “a failure of leadership to safeguard the future of the most vulnerable” and posed a serious threat to the state’s long-term development goals.

Criticising the government’s focus on revenue generation without corresponding improvement in citizens’ welfare, Doherty stated, “Governance must be measured not just by revenue growth but by how those resources improve lives.”

To address the crisis, Doherty outlined an eight-point urgent action plan, including calls to:

Double the budgetary allocation to education from 7% to at least 14% within the next two to three years;

Expand investments in primary education to strengthen foundational learning;

Scale up technical education to equip students with workforce-ready skills;

Improve teacher quality and availability through competitive pay and consistent monitoring;

Introduce standardized testing to benchmark learning progress;

Provide free and accessible transportation for students in uniform up to secondary school;

Develop strategies to reduce the number of out-of-school children;

Introduce tracking mechanisms to measure the effectiveness of reforms.

“Let us be clear: though long in the making, this is an emergency,” Doherty emphasised. “If we fail to address it, the long-term social and developmental consequences will be severe and far-reaching. We must act now.”

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200 Beneficiaries Receive NDDC Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship

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200 Beneficiaries Receive NDDC Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has awarded Foreign Post Graduate Scholarships to 200 successful candidates for its 2025 scholarship programme.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, observed that the 200 beneficiaries underwent a qualification process that was free from political interferences or external influences.

He stated: “The panel, which was constituted to carry out this qualification process, worked hard to produce the best candidates. I want to commend the panellists for doing a great job. They raised the bar, leading to the best results”

Ogbuku announced that last year, one of the beneficiaries of the NDDC foreign scholarship programme produced the best results, which is an indication of quality in the selection process.

He added that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the Commission would consider resuming the award of scholarships for doctoral studies given the brilliant performance of the past beneficiaries.

He further described the programme as one of the NDDC’s obligations aimed at improving the successes of the Commission and exposing the people of the region to the experience and development of other civilisations.

He admonished the beneficiaries to refrain from criminality and any other act that could tarnish the image of the Commission and the country as a whole.

The programme consultant, Chief Godson Idozo, in his remarks, hinted that 30,000 persons applied for the programme, and 6,000 were shortlisted for the aptitude test. At the same time, 200 applicants hit the foreign scholarship award merit lists.

The NDDC Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Dr George Uzonwanne, congratulated the beneficiaries for passing through the various stages of the examination process, while urging them to remain focused and determined in their academic pursuits.

The Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, and the Managing Director took turns to present award letters to the successful candidates.

Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs
June 19, 2025

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Ogun College Of Nursing Begins Sale Of 2025 Post-UTME Forms, Application Period Runs From June 16 To July 25

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Ogun College Of Nursing Begins Sale Of 2025 Post-UTME Forms, Application Period Runs From June 16 To July 25

The Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences has commenced the sale of application forms for the 2025 Post-UTME Computer-Based Screening into the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to a release signed by the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, the application window opened on Monday, June 16 and will close on Friday, July 25, 2025.

The statement outlines that prospective candidates must be at least 16 years old by August 6, 2025, and must have selected Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, or Ilaro campus of the College as their first choice during JAMB and Post-UTME registration.

Alternatively, candidates must effect a change of institution before the screening date. A minimum JAMB score of 180 is also required for eligibility.

In addition, applicants must possess a WASSCE, NECO, or GCE result with at least five credits in no more than two sittings. The compulsory subjects include English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

The application fee is Twenty Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (₦20,700) and must be paid online via the College’s official application portal at apply.ogcon.edu.ng.

The release also strongly cautioned prospective applicants against dealing with touts or fraudsters, stating that the College does not appoint admission agents, either online or in person. For further enquiries, candidates are advised to contact the College directly via [email protected].

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Arase Foundation Awards Scholarships to Outstanding Students, Honours Legacy of Service and Excellence

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Arase Foundation Awards Scholarships to Outstanding Students, Honours Legacy of Service and Excellence

The Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF) has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to education, youth empowerment, and social impact with the hosting of its Annual Scholarship Grant ceremony.

The initiative celebrates academic excellence while providing financial support to deserving Nigerian students, particularly from underserved backgrounds.

This year’s beneficiaries include high-achieving students enrolled in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, selected for their academic merit, leadership potential, and community engagement. The scholarship also specifically supports children of deceased rank-and-file police officers as well as students from the seven Local Government Areas in Edo South—a nod to Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase’s roots and values.

The Foundation, established on the pillars of integrity, service, and excellence—principles that have defined Dr. Arase’s illustrious career in public service—continues to expand its impact by nurturing a new generation of changemakers.

“This is more than a financial award,” a spokesperson from the Foundation noted. “It is a seed of hope, a recognition of hard work, and a call to leadership.”

This year’s grant spans a wide range of academic disciplines, underscoring the Foundation’s inclusive approach to development. The breakdown of the scholarship recipients is as follows:

the scholarship recipients is as follows:

Medicine & Surgery – 13

Dentistry – 1

Mechanical Engineering – 1

Political Science – 1

Remote Sensing & Geoscience Information System – 1

Business Administration – 1

Agricultural Economics & Extension – 1

Criminology & Security Studies – 1

Guidance & Counseling – 2

Biology Education – 1

Pharmacy – 1

History and Diplomatic Studies – 1

Language & Linguistics – 1

Microbiology – 1

Science Laboratory Technology – 1

Human Nutrition & Dietetics – 1

The scholarship grant not only eases financial burdens for the recipients but also inspires them to strive for excellence and societal impact, mirroring the values of the man in whose name the Foundation was created.

SEAF’s annual initiative remains a vital instrument in promoting equitable access to higher education, with the long-term goal of building a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.

“By investing in these young minds today,” the Foundation asserts, “we are building the architects of tomorrow’s Nigeria.”

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