The Youth Wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to bring an end to the alleged results falsification case of Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme by administering another examination.
Miss Ejikeme, a former student of Anglican Girls Secondary School in Nnewi, Anambra, had celebrated her outstanding performance as the candidate with the highest score in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
However, JAMB released a statement on Sunday, signed by its Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, accusing Miss Ejikeme of inflating her results to gain favor. The board announced that her result would be withdrawn, and she would face prosecution.
Speaking to reporters in Owerri on Tuesday, the Financial Secretary of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing, Mazi Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, called on JAMB to resolve the issue by resetting the examination for Miss Ejikeme.
Arthur-Ugwa described the situation as embarrassing not only for Miss Ejikeme, JAMB, but also for Nigeria as a whole. He urged the Board to clear its name and that of the nation without delay.
He also expressed concern about the negative psychological and emotional impact the allegation would have on Mmesoma.
Arthu-Ugwa appealed to the board to refrain from causing any harm in any form to an innocent young person who has yet to be declared guilty by the ongoing investigations into the matter.
“Only another examination supervised by independent observers will bring this matter to rest, and we are willing to participate in the supervision, if necessary,” he said.
He also highlighted that the board had never complained of any attempts to manipulate its website, emphasizing the importance of not pre-empting investigations.
“Just a few years ago, JAMB informed us about a case where a snake allegedly swallowed a significant amount of money in one of its offices. Today, we are being told that the results of an examination, which should determine admission into our esteemed tertiary institutions, can no longer be trusted in their current form.
“JAMB must acknowledge the gravity of its role in society and cease making headlines for the wrong reasons.
“If the management is no longer capable of fulfilling its responsibilities, then it is time for the Federal Government to overhaul the entire board and protect our country and its people from needless embarrassment,” he concluded.
