Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Investigation by Ikengaonline, revealed that the ongoing Senior Secondary School Certificate examination by the West African Examination Council, WAEC, recorded a huge success in Abia State despite the sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
IPOB had ordered that there would be no movement across the South-East in honour of the dead victims of the Nigeria/Biafra war.
Although the entire state was completely on lockdown in full compliance of the sit-at-home order, Ikengaonline observed that WAEC exam held in the state.
Confirming this, a senior WAEC official in Umuahia said “today’s exam was successful and hitch- free.”
The senior official who did not want to disclose his name for obvious reasons, attributed the feat to collaboration among WAEC management, the Abia State Government and security agencies.
He said that some of the invigilators had returned from the field.
“Our exam today was very successful. There were no hitches anywhere. Some of our people who went to the field have returned, and some are still returning as you can see. There was no incidence anywhere.
“WEAC management in collaboration with security agencies and Abia State Government especially, the Commissioner for Education, made that happen.”
Some of the invigilators returning from the field also said they had no hitches.
Gov. Otti had on Wednesday, said that the State Government was engaging all the actors to ensure the academic interest of WAEC candidates in the state were not hurt.
Otti who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, also said that Abia Government was not interested in unnecessary confrontation with promoters of the sit-at-home order, arguing that they have right to mourn their dead.
He said Government was working behind the scenes to ensure that the State was peaceful.