Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, stands firm in his offer to intercede on behalf of Mmesoma Ejikeme, who recently admitted to manipulating her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result. Ejikeme had claimed an impressive score of 362 out of 400, positioning herself as the top candidate for the year.
However, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) swiftly debunked her claim, citing the discontinuation of the result document template she presented as evidence. JAMB unequivocally labelled the result as “patently fake” and announced impending prosecution for Ejikeme.
In light of these developments, Chidoka expressed his willingness to beseech JAMB for leniency if Ejikeme came forward with a genuine explanation of her actions and those who influenced her. As the owner of the computer-based test (CBT) center where Ejikeme took the exam, Chidoka emphasized the need for transparency and accountability.
In a recent development, the committee appointed by the Anambra State Government to investigate the examination fraud case involving Mmesoma Ejikeme has concluded its inquiry. The committee’s findings confirm the allegations, as reported by Federal Character news earlier yesterday, that Ejikeme indeed manipulated her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result. Contrary to her claim of scoring an impressive 362 out of 400, the committee established that her actual score was 249. With this revelation, the ongoing dispute between Ejikeme and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) comes to an end.
In a statement released to Channels Television, he reiterated his offer to intervene underscoring his belief in justice, mercy, and the potential for redemption.
“My offer to plead with JAMB still stands and I will do so.”
While urging people to consider Ejikeme’s young age, Chidoka urged society to utilize this incident as a valuable teaching moment rather than resorting to condemnation.
If we can recall, on Wednesday Federal Character news reported that the former minister acknowledged two significant red flags that raised suspicions regarding Ejikeme’s forged results. Firstly, the discrepancy between the name of his center, previously known as the Thomas Chidoka Center for Human Development, and the name stated on the JAMB portal, Nkemefuna Foundation (Thomas Chidoka Center for Human Development). Secondly, the result template used by Ejikeme differed from the official JAMB template, featuring her passport picture, JAMB watermarks, and omitting the examination center’s name.
Earlier today, former Minister of Education in Nigeria, Oby Ezekwesili, commented on the findings of a panel investigating Ejikeme’s alleged forgery of UTME test scores. Ezekwesili supported the sanctions imposed by JAMB as a means of deterring future exam malpractices within the educational system. She recommended comprehensive counselling for Ejikeme by her family, school, and church to aid her reflection on this regrettable episode and foster a commitment to honesty and hard work.
Moreover, Innoson Automobile Company, a prominent Nigerian automobile manufacturer, rescinded the scholarship it had offered Ejikeme following the panel’s revelation. The Head of Corporate Communications and Affairs, Cornel Osigwe, confirmed the decision, citing subsequent reports of discrepancies in Ejikeme’s UTME score. Innoson Group sought clarification from JAMB and allowed Ejikeme to present her position to a committee established by Anambra State Governor, Dr. Charles Chukwuma Soludo. This withdrawal of the scholarship underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to integrity and merit-based recognition.
The prevailing sentiment surrounding this incident emphasizes the importance of integrity and the futility of fraudulent actions.
As discussions continue, it remains pertinent to inquire about your opinion on this matter.
