Oby Ezekwesili (file photo)
‘It was necessary to have independent evidence that the result Mmesoma laid claim to publicly was not only fake but that the forgery was personally orchestrated by her’
By Valentine Amanze
Nigeria’s former Education Minister, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has said that JAMB was right in penalising Mmesoma Ejikeme for falsifying her 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) score, stressing that such act has consequencies to deter others who participate in the systemic exam malpractices.
Ezekwesili, via @obyezeks at the weekend, was responding to Mmesoma and @JAMBHQ saga.
In her tweet, the former minister also recommended sustained counseling for Mmesoma by the family, school and church to support her as she reflects on the tragic episode and makes a decision to embrace values and rewards of effort while eschewing dishonest gain for the rest of her life.
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She hoped that the lessons of the case would help pupils, students, parents, guardians and the public renew a collective commitment to uphold Exam Integrity in Nigeria as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s Values and Reward System for children and youth.
Ezekwesili said that she was satisfied with the process and findings of the report of the Committee set up by the Anambra State government, which gave Mmesoma fair hearing.
Her words: “I have just read the report of the Committee set up by Anambra State Government to investigate and report its independent findings on the Mmesoma and JAMB Saga.
“I am satisfied with the process and findings of the investigation which gave Mmesoma fair hearing to enable the Committee gather all facts.
“It was necessary to have independent evidence that the result Mmesoma laid claim to publicly was not only fake but that the forgery was personally orchestrated by her.
“There are usually syndicates at the centre of perpetration of exam malpractices in Nigeria but it appears not to be so in Mmesoma’s case from the facts of the Committee’s report. Mmesoma’s action has consequences. I therefore support the sanctions imposed by JAMB as a deterrent to all who participate in the systemic exam malpractices within our educational system.”
Besides, she thanked JAMB for its good work, while encouraging the Registrar and his team to continue with their critical service to the country and people as we all join them to sustain raising of awareness on Exam Integrity.
Mmesoma, a student of Anglican Girls Secondary School in Nnewi, has been a subject of intense debate in the last seven days over the claim that she got 362 in this year’s UTME.
