CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Cross River State Government (CRSG) has awarded N200,000 to the best West African Examinations Council (WAEC) students in the state.
Converseer learned that the Best WAEC 2025 award went to a student from Obanliku Local Government Area of the state.
The award which was organised last Saturday, was courtesy of Dr Stephen Odey, Commissioner for Education, and Dr Bernice Akpabio, Special Assistant to Governor Bassey Otu on Students’ Advocacy, Ministry of Education.
According to James Eku, ‘Best WAEC 2025’ is one of the award categories and it was for the 2024 WAEC.
“This one is just for WAEC; there’s the Poetry/Spoke Word category, then there’s the overall winner,” he said.
The award has stirred reactions from Cross Riverians and Nigerians alike who asserted that the system doesn’t recognise education.
Benny Ushang, one of those who reacted said: “200,000 thousand naira is paltry sum. This can not boost or encourage the young ones. Millions are been dished out to support Miss Sun, Mr Adagom, Miss KaiKai and so on (sic). 200k for Education? It’s sad you see…”
Another person, Andrew Ayim, said: “See why people say school is scam abi? Imagn a best student getting N200,000. But wen it comes to girls opening their body and doing tv shows or pageantry they get millions as rewards. Our leaders doesn’t support education I swear.” (sic)
Gabriel Imereh who also reacted said:” Only 200 hundred thousand for the best waec student! Why not give him automatic admission and a scholarship with all tuition paid to finish the university! Same state university school fees is almost 100k if not more than. If na Miss CRS u for hear say 2 million.” (sic)
Aga Gabriel said: “Though the amount is meagre but must be appreciated because such motivation has not been existing.”
Peculiar Foods also said: “Wait…..200k? It’s isn’t enough. Is it that people don’t support education?” (sic)
Susan Nightingale said: “200k State government can do more than this na haba. Does it mean education is not valuable again?” (sic)
