By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has said the report of the probe panel set up by the Anambra State Government to unravel the true state of Mmesoma Joy Ejikeme’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME’s result has vindicated its position that the candidate forged the result.
Recall that Mmesoma had claimed to score 362 against her original score of 249, prompting JAMB to issue a statement disclaiming the result.
In spite of JAMB’s position, the 19-year-old went on social media to display the result, insisting she never tampered with her result. This forced the Anambra State Government to set up a panel to probe the development.
But while appearing before the panel, Ejikeme, according to the panel’s report made available to journalists on Saturday, reportedly admitted falsifying the result without the knowledge and assistance of anybody.
Reacting, JAMB on Saturday said the outcome of the investigative report vindicated its position that Mmesoma forged the UTME result where she scored herself 362.
To this end, the Board, according to the statement by its Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, vowed that it would not relent in its efforts to sanitize the public examination sector.
The statement read in full, “The report of the Commission of Inquiry set up by the Anambra State Government, an independent and unbiased body, as demanded by some Nigerians to look into the Mmesoma saga, has vindicated the Board. This has further reinforced the position of the Board that its system was not and cannot be compromised.
“It is to be noted that the Board has built a reputation in terms of the conduct of credible examinations over the years and cannot afford to fail the nation at this critical juncture of its development.
“Therefore, we will not despair in spite of the painful realization that some Nigerians would do anything to cast aspersions on the good name of the Board.
“However, in spite of all the posturing of its detractors, the Board remains resolute and uncompromising in its commitment to give Nigeria the best as far as credible and fair assessment is concerned.
“In fact, the Board is, more than ever, determined to continue to forge ahead unmindful of the shenanigan of those who desire its fall.
“For the benefit of those who are still doubting the capacity of Ms. Mmesoma to commit this egregious crime and those who are pushing the narrative that the girl is just 16 years old even against all available data that indicate her age as an adult of 19 years, Ms. Mmesoma has owned up to committing the heinous infraction, which was carefully crafted to destroy the very foundation of one of the nation’s agencies charged with the critical role of apportioning the limited educational resource of the nation based on fairness equity and integrity.
“Candidates, on their part, are warned to stay away from fraudulent Apps that promise to enhance their scores as the end result would always be anguish and misery.
“The Mmesoma case should serve as an eye-opener, especially to those who hold the view that anything goes in Nigeria. Ours is a great agency with great potential, which requires everybody’s collective and patriotic support as no nation develops beyond the wishes and trust of its people.
“The Board, on its part, will continue to appreciate the unalloyed support of those who even risked being attacked by the social media mob to stand on the side of truth. Your trust in us would never be taken for granted as we also appeal to our detractors to sheathe their swords and be part of the movement to build a greater Nigeria.
“To those who have sent apologies after seeing the truth, we call on them to continue to believe in the capacity of the Board to deliver. We commend Anambra State Government for its patriotic and unbiased posture all through the period of the national challenge.
“Let us all put our hands together to build the Nigeria of our dreams as we congratulate Miss Kamyosikwu Chinyere Uche as the best scorer in the 2023 UTME exercise.”
