A Federal Lawmaker from Ebonyi, Chief Chinedu Ogah, has declared that the usage of the Computer Based Technology (CBT) for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) would adversely affect science subjects.

Ogah, who represents Ikwo/ Ezza South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, made the declaration on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen on WAEC’s proposed plan to introduce CBT from 2026.

The lawmaker said that the move would affect several scientific applications practically used to access students in WAEC examinations.

“What will happen to several scientific.mixtures, equations, mathematical applications among others practically applied during WAEC examinations?.

“Such measures are evidently not feasible and will adversely affect sciences in our educational curricular.

“Science is practical and the earlier we understand this, the better for all,” he said.

He noted that the glitches recorded during the recent Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination was unfortunate.

“The registrar should review the activities of its Information Communication Technology (ICT) department.

“It is ridiculous for JAMB to conduct the examination without adequate provisions for the ease of candidates,” he said.

Ogah urged people from the south east zone which the glitch was touted to have targeted, to embrace the home grown technology it was known for.

“We are known for technology and innovation.

“Government of south east states should equip our schools with ICT so that students would be acquainted with its usage, early,” he said. (NAN)

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Dr Nnanna Uzor Kalu as a commissioner in the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) to represent the South-East geopolitical zone.

The confirmation followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, chaired by Sen.

Kalu’s confirmation was previously stepped down in March due to a petition filed against him.

At the time, the senate had confirmed 12 out of 13 nominees for the NASC, withholding only the nomination from the South-East pending resolution of the matter.

Presenting the report, Fasuyi explained that the petition had been thoroughly investigated and dismissed by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions.

The committee found no grounds to disqualify the nominee.

“In line with the findings and recommendations of the relevant committees, the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service recommends the confirmation of Dr Nnanna Uzor Kalu,” Fasuyi said.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio thanked both committees for handling the issue with diligence and fairness.

He congratulated Kalu on his confirmation and urged him to serve with integrity.

“I urge the newly confirmed commissioner to uphold equity, fairness, and constitutional values while representing the South-East in the commission,” Akpabio said.(NAN)

The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the calls for violence by the State Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hajiya Rabi Madawaki.

In a statement issued in Gusau on Tuesday by the State APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris, the party called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Idris said, “We call on the security agencies to immediately arrest the women leader, Hajiya Rabi Madawaki, over her uncultured utterances.

“APC as a strong opposition party in the state will not be intimidated by any threats from the Zamfara PDP government and they should know that the will of the people must prevail.

“The state PDP Women Leader, Hajiya Rabi Madawaki, made the statement in the presence of the Governor’s wife,  Hajiya Huriyya Dauda.

“The threat and intimidation by the PDP women leader came out with a completely different but savage way of forcing out support and subsequently,  votes for the governor,  Mr Dauda Lawal in the 2027 governorship election.

“Madawaki said in the presence of governor’s wife in Hausa language, at a gathering held in Gusau on Friday that translated as ‘anyone who does not vote for Dauda, we will maim, beat, kill him,  (zamu ci ubanshi zamu yi mashi duka)’.

According to him, in a civilised scoiety,  elections are always supposed to be free, fair and non violent.

Idris said, “President Bola Tinubu’s administration is trying to remove such threats to lives and property as well as  any form of intimidation from politics.

“The Zamfara chapter of the APC will not be scared by any form of intimidation and harassment or any act of violence.” (NAN)