The Delta Commissioner for Works (Highways & Urban Roads), Mr Reuben Izeze, in collaboration with FOOSTODEY Associates, has sponsored the registration of 65 candidates in the state for this year’s National Examination Council (NECO).
The beneficiaries are students of Oginibo Secondary School in Ughelli South LGA of the state.
The commissioner’s Special Assistant (Special Duties), Mr Matthew Tisha, announced the gesture on his behalf at a brief ceremony in the school yesterday.
According to him, the commissioner’s attention was in 2025 drawn to the fact that the school was deregistered by NECO for failing to meet its standard.
”Acting promptly, Izeze engaged the NECO Zonal Office, which led to an assessment and eventual restoration of the centre after the school met the required standard.
”Building on that achievement, Izeze, alongside FOOSTODEY Associates, pledged to sponsor the first batch of candidates to sit for the examination at the reactivated centre, a promise now fulfilled.
”Each candidate’s registration fee of N33,850 was fully paid, bringing the total fees to over N2.2million,” he said.
Tisha said that the sponsorship was intended to restore access to examination opportunities and also alleviate the financial burden on parents.
He urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity by demonstrating dedication, forming study groups, and preparing diligently for their examination.
In a remark, the Principal of the school, Mrs Evelyn Omejevwe-Ejiofor, expressed deep appreciation to the commissioner and FOOSTODEY Associates, a non-governmental organisation, for their timely intervention.
Omejevwe-Ejiofor described the gesture as “impactful and life-changing”, adding that many students could not have been able to afford the registration fee.
She also commended Izeze for his consistent contributions to the school and community, including paying allowances to community teachers over the past two years.
She, however, drew attention to the challenges facing secondary education in rural areas and urged the State Government to declare a state of emergency in grassroots education.
Omejevwe-Ejiofor cited the severe shortage of qualified teachers in critical subjects, such as Mathematics, Chemistry, Economics, and Physics and appealed for the immediate recruitment of qualified teachers to improve learning outcomes.
She also appealed to the commissioner and his partners to sustain their support, emphasising the importance of continuous intervention in addressing the pressing needs of the school.