Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday, debunked reports that he had no West African Senior School Certificate, disclosing that he made the second-best result in his set in the country in 1976.
There had been reports on social media last week Friday over the missing certificate of Governor Okowa.
However, Okowa said that the issue around the certificate was a wrong perception and unnecessary politics, explaining that virtually all universities in the country offered him admission based on his outstanding performance in WASSCE and Higher School Certificate examinations.
Okowa made this known after inspecting ongoing projects at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, in Isoko North Local Government Area.
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 print-out from Edo College, Benin City, which clearly stated that I have 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 very difficult to make such grades in higher school at that time.
“My high school result was the second-best nationally in 1976 when I finished. So, many universities admitted me through Telegram at that time, and I had to start making choices of which to accept.
“Of course, it’s very clear that I finished medical school at the University of Ibadan. I was 21 years and some months; I was less than 22 years of age.’’
On the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the governor called on the Federal Government to expedite action 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,’’
