Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa debunked reports that he does not have a West Africa School Certificate (WASC) result.
He said he was an outstanding student at the secondary school level, adding he made the second-best result at A- level throughout the country in 1976.
The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) vice presidential candidate said virtually all universities in the country offered him admission based on his outstanding performance in WASC and Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations.
He said media reports about his missing result were “deliberate wrong perception and unnecessary politics.”
Okowa spoke at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro in Isoko North LGA.
He said: “On the issue of my certificate, I think it is a misconception. People try to play politics with everything.
“Yes, I lost my WAEC certificate but I have the printout from Edo College, Benin City, which clearly stated that I have a distinction in all subjects.
“The Higher School Certificate was attached and it has been acknowledged by Edo College and the school put it out there that I made an ‘A’ `B’ `B’.
“I do not pride myself but it was challenging to make such a grade in higher school then.
“My high school result was the second-best nationally in 1976 when I finished. So, many universities admitted me through Telegram as at that time and I had to start making choices of which to accept.
“Of course, it’s apparent that I finished medical school at the University of Ibadan. I was 21years and some months; I was less than 22 years of age.’’
On the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Governor called on the Federal Government to expedite actions in resolving the issues, adding that every government should be sincere enough to keep to promises and agreements at all times.
“We continue to sympathise with our students who have been at home for several months now rather than being in school.
“I use this opportunity to call on the Federal government to do something urgently to end the strike.
“It’s not a good thing for the children, parents, and even education in general. It is unfortunate that the Federal government has not been able to attend to issues, as requested by ASUU.
“For every government, if promises are made, we must ensure that we keep to our promises and if there are things that cannot be done, you let people know,’’ he said.
Okowa remarked that lecturers were not on strike in the four universities owned by the State.
He said: “For us in Delta State, we are fulfilling all the requirements and that’s why you can see that this university and our three other universities are all active and in session because we do not have any issues with our lecturers.
“All our four universities are in session because we pay special attention to education in Delta State, and our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has also assured that education occupies a prime position in our `Rescue Nigeria’ mission.’’
The Nation
