Accra, March 29, GNA - The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has conferred its Distinguished Friend of the Council Award on four citizens from countries forming the Council.

A statement issued in Accra named them as Professor Jerome Siau Djangmah, a Ghanaian scholar and teacher; Omom N'oba N'edo Uku Akpolokpolo, the Oba of Benin; Professor M. O. Williams of Sierra Leone and the Rev. Dr. Walter Dr Richards of Liberia.

They were honoured at the 53rd Annual Council Meeting held in Monrovia, Liberia for their immense contribution to the success work of the Council. Member countries of WAEC are Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Gambia.

The statement said WAEC also honoured two Nigerian students for their outstanding performance in the May/June 2003 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations.

Master Cyprian C. Odinaka took the first prize under the Excellence Award as the best overall candidate and the best male candidate while Miss Akanbi Opeyemi Oluwatola was awarded for being the second best overall candidate during the Examination.

Other highlights of the weeklong activity involved the election of the Rev. S. Tormetie, Chief Government Nominee and Deputy Minister for Instructions, Liberia Ministry of Education, as Vice-Chairman of WAEC.