The Youth Wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has made an appeal to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) regarding the case of Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme, who is alleged to have falsified her results.
The youth wing suggested that to put the matter to rest, JAMB should conduct another examination for Miss Ejikeme.
Previously, Miss Ejikeme, a former student of Anglican Girls Secondary School, Nnewi in Anambra, celebrated her achievement as the candidate with the highest score in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
However, JAMB, in a statement by its spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, accused her of inflating her results to gain favor and stated that her result would be withdrawn, and she might face prosecution.
Mazi Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, the Financial Secretary of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing, expressed concern about the embarrassing situation for the candidate, JAMB, and Nigeria as a whole. He called on the examination board to promptly clear its image and that of the nation.
Arthur-Ugwa emphasized the negative psychological and emotional impact the allegation could have on Miss Ejikeme.
He urged JAMB to avoid causing harm to an innocent youth who is yet to be declared guilty by the ongoing investigations.
Arthur-Ugwa proposed that only another examination, supervised by independent observers, could put the matter to rest. The youth wing offered its willingness to be part of the supervision if necessary.
Arthur-Ugwa highlighted that in the past, JAMB had never reported attempts to manipulate its website, thus suggesting that the board should not preempt the investigations.
He expressed concern about JAMB being in the news for the wrong reasons and called for the board to understand the seriousness of its role in society.
If the current management of JAMB is unable to handle the situation, he proposed that the Federal Government should consider overhauling the entire board to save the country from unnecessary embarrassment.