We have been vindicated – JAMB says Mmesoma acknowledges she forged the UTME result

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has issued an official statement following Ejikeme Mmesoma's admission that she falsified her disputed UTME result.

The review body said the report of the commission of inquiry set up by the Anambra State government to investigate the saga vindicated the council, noting that it bolsters the position that his system was not and could not be compromised.

DAILY POST recalls that an independent investigation commissioned by Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo found that Mmesoma had falsified her score of 362 which she marched against the genuine JAMB score of 249 .

In a statement released via its social media channels on Saturday by Fabian Benjamin, Acting Director, PAP, JAMB, the board said it would not despair despite the painful realization that some Nigerians would do anything to discredit its good reputation.

JAMB further said that it was very unfortunate that some Nigerians, who did not believe in the strength and ingenuity of their country's institutions, seized any opportunity to bring the board down to their level of treachery .

The statement reads: "The Report of the Commission of Inquiry set up by the Anambra State Government, an independent and impartial body, as demanded by some Nigerians to investigate the saga Mmesoma, agreed with the Board. This further reinforced the Board's position that its system has not been and cannot be compromised.

“It should be noted that the Council has built a reputation for conducting credible reviews over the years and cannot afford to fail the nation at this critical stage in its development.

“Therefore, we will not despair despite the painful realization that some Nigerians would do anything to denigrate the good reputation of the Council.

“However, despite all the posturing of its critics, the Council remains resolute and uncompromising in its commitment to give Nigeria the very best in credible and fair assessment.

"In fact, the Council is more determined than ever to keep moving forward regardless of the shenanigans of those who wish its downfall.

"For the benefit of those who still doubt Mrs. Mmesoma's ability to commit this flagrant crime and those who push the narrative that the girl is only 16 years old, even against all available data that points to her age as a 19-year-old adult, Ms Mmesoma admitted to committing the heinous offence, which was carefully designed to destroy the very foundation of one of the national agencies tasked with the critical role of allocating the nation's limited educational resources on the basis of fairness and integrity.

“It is therefore very unfortunate that some Nigerians, who do not believe in the strength and ingenuity of their country’s institutions, seize any opportunity to bring the Council down to their level of treachery.

"A key lesson that Nigerians should learn from the imbroglio is to learn to appreciate the sincere efforts of their critical national institutions to chart the course for national rebirth. Hence, this attitude of attacking anything that made the nation proud, even by people who should know better, is discouraging.The other side of the coin is to infer that some ethnic chauvinists may have been elevated to public office and recognized beyond their mental capacity and emotional.

“The council would continue to be guided by the principles of inclusion and equity, as evidenced by its transparent and spontaneous deployment of dedicated software called the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), which not only eliminates human interference in the admission process, but also engenders fairness, justice, transparency to all because we know neither tribe nor religion.

"The public is assured of our unwavering commitment to upholding the sanctity of the fabric of the nation's education system, hence our determination to always provide a credible and fair assessment remains unwavering. We call on all such well-meaning Nigerians, who may wish to support and encourage healthy competition by awarding scholarships and other honors to deserving applicants so as not to be discouraged but always endeavor to verify with us any claims, however trivial, put forward by applicants .

"Applicants, for their part, are warned to steer clear of scam apps that promise to boost their scores as the end result would always be anguish and misery.

“The Mmesoma case should be an eye-opener, especially for those who believe that anything goes in Nigeria. Ours is a great agency with great potential, which requires the collective and patriotic support of all, because no nation grows beyond the wishes and trust of its people.

“The Council, for its part, will continue to appreciate the unwavering support of those who have even...