The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and some Nigerians have reacted to Mmesoma Ejikeme’s claim admitting to have forged her 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) result.
JAMB that was at the centre of criticisms said the report of the Commission of Inquiry set up by the Anambra State Government, to look into Miss Ejikeme saga, has vindicated the board.
This is stated in a statement made available to journalists by the board’s acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin in Abuja on Saturday.
Also read: I faked my 2023 UTME’s Result- Mmesoma admits
The back and forth between JAMB and Mmesoma generated much controversy, a situation that made the Anambra State government to constitute an investigation panel.
A report that was submitted by a panel set up by Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, revealed that Mmesoma confessed that her original result was an aggregate score of 249, which she then manipulated with a device and a printout to make it 362.
Benjamin said that the report had further reinforced the position of the board that its system is 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 realisation 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,” he said.
Benjamin said 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.
‘‘This infraction 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.
‘‘It is, therefore, highly regrettable that some Nigerians, who do not believe in the strength and resourcefulness of their nation’s institutions, would latch on to any opportunity to pull the board down to their level of perfidy,” he added.
He called on Nigerians to learn from this as well as appreciate the genuine efforts of their critical national institutions to chart the course of national rebirth.
According to him, this attitude of attacking everything that makes the nation proud even by people who should know better is disheartening.
‘‘The flip side of this is to infer that some ethnic jingoists had perhaps been elevated to public office and recognition beyond their mental and emotional capacity.
“The board would continue to be guided by the principles of inclusiveness and fairness as demonstrated by its seamless and unprompted deployment of a dedicated software called the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).
‘‘This, not only eliminates human interference in the admission process, but also engenders equity, fairness, transparency to all as we do not know tribe or religion,” he said.
He assured the public of the unwavering commitment of the board to upholding sanctity of the fabric of the nation’s educational system.
He appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, who may wish to support and encourage healthy competition by awarding scholarships and other honours to deserving candidates not to be discouraged.
He urged them to always endeavour to verify from the board any claim put forward by candidates.
He, therefore, warned candidates to stay away from fraudulent Apps that promise to enhance their scores as the end result will 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.
”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 Kamsiyochukwu Nkechinyere Umeh as the best scorer in the 2023 UTME exercise.”
Popular Nigerian TV host, Rufai Oseni has reacted to the confession of Mmesoma Ejikeme, admitting that she forged her UTME results.
Reacting to the development via a series of tweets, Oseni lamented that Nigerian society has been built on lies, adding that one cannot phantom the number of results that have been forged by public officeholders.
He opined that Ejikeme’s situation is a reminder to always do the right thing.
He wrote, “Also the scholarship given to Joy worth 3M and other pecks she got should be withdrawn. We can’t build a society on lies!
“In her case calling a spade a spade, JAMB has been Vindicated!
“It’s sad we have built our society on lies. God knows how many results are forged daily by our Public office holders. The truth is bitter! This case is a reminder for us all to do right.
“Also Joy’s father then came out to defend her and must re-evaluate his actions. Also, people that turned this episode into a tribal slugfest must have a re-think. Let’s build a decent society together.”
Ejikeme apologises to JAMB and Nigerians
Mr Romanus Ejikeme, the father of Mmesoma, the 2023 UTME candidate who falsified her result, has publicly expressed his apology to JAMB and Nigerians.
According to a video interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), he claimed his daughter lied to him initially; now that he knows the truth, he wishes that JAMB could pardon his daughter.
Ejikeme said his daughter lied to him initially.
He admitted to being in the wrong after Anambra State Government committee of inquiry set up to look into the controversy surrounding the JAMB result found Mmesoma guilty of forging her result unaided, The Nigerian Tribune reported.
Mmesoma’s father admitted that he didn’t know where his daughter registered for the examination, but he gave her the money for the registration.
He said, “My daughter did not open up to me on time; when I realised her mistake, I blamed her.
“I told her, Mmesoma, be careful; you know you are a star and will not dent your image.
“But I am still apologising to JAMB and Nigerians as a father to pardon her.”
However, Bayo Onanuga, a former media aide to President Bola Tinubu, criticised those who supported 19-year-old JAMB candidate, Mmesoma Ejikeme.
He noted that they should have considered JAMB’s version before supporting Mmesoma.
Mmesoma had claimed to have scored 362 to emerge the highest candidate in the 2023 UTME, but JAMB denied her claim.
Investigation, however, showed that the 19-year-old forged the result she paraded for days.
Reacting, Onanuga tweeted: “The truth about Ejikeme Mmesoma’s forgery of her UTME scores is now out, thanks to a committee set up by Anambra Government.
“The teenage girl confessed she committed the forgery by herself.
‘‘Shame to all those ethnic jingoists who rushed to her support without consideration for JAMB’s version of the story.”
