28th March, 2012
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), on Tuesday rewarded outstanding candidates in the May/June 2011 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Hajiya Mulikat Bello, the Registrar of WAEC, said at the award ceremony in Abuja that the gesture was one of the major objectives of the council’s Endowment Fund.
Miss Opeyemi Adeloye of Charis International College, Abeokuta, and Miss Antiwiwaa Sakyi of Wesley Girls’ High School, Accra, came first in the National and International Awards respectively.
Bellorecalled that in 1984, the council instituted two categories of awards, the International Awards and the National Awards.
“The international awards are to be competed for by candidates in the five-member countries of Ghana, Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra-Leone and Liberia, while the national award is restricted in scope to each member country.
“To qualify for the award, a candidate must obtain Grade 1 in at least six subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, one of Physics, Chemistry and Biology and one other subject,” she said.
Bello said that the condition for the international award was reviewed in 1999.
According to her, a candidate must obtain Grade 1 in, at least, seven subjects, including, English Language, Mathematics, one of Physics, Chemistry and Biology and one other subject.
Bello said that the results of candidates eligible for an award should have been obtained at the first attempt and at one and same sitting without any hint of impropriety.
“Winners have been high flyers whose academic excellence have continued to blaze the trail in the best universities in West Africa,” she said.
The ceremony was part of the activities to mark the 60th Annual Council Meeting and Anniversary of WAEC.
In his remarks, Mr. Jonas Redwood-Sawyer, the Chairman of the council, described the annual meeting as “historic” as it coincided with the 60th anniversary of the council.
He said the council would deliberate, ratify and consider action plans at the meeting.
Adeloye, who attributed her success to hard work, advised candidates sitting for examination to be studious.
“It is hard work that has brought me this far and I want to also appreciate my parents for their support,” she said.