Parents, candidates express concern over JAMB’s inconsistent operations, seek government’s intervention

Group alleges powerful forces sabotaging registrar
Parents and candidates have appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to be consistent in its policies in the interest of the Nigerian youths.

This is coming on the heels of postponement of the first ever-mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scheduled to hold at the weekend.

They also pleaded that the Federal Government and concerned stakeholders should wade into the matter and end the long years of policy inconsistencies that always disrupt the activities of the board.

A parent, who identified himself as Mr. Emmanuel C., expressed disappointment on hearing the news of the postponement at the TFL Global Computer Career Centre, Lagos.

He said: “It is a very big disappointment and a shame on the part of JAMB and the nation. I left home around 5.30 a.m. with my daughter, and we waited since morning till 2:00 p.m., only to be told that the mock examination has been cancelled. Who will tolerate that in a developed clime? It is very unfortunate that up till now, JAMB is still struggling to get it right with CBT. They should organise their operations. Government in question should sit down and know what to do because they too are not helping matter.”

Another parent, Mr. Yemi Kolawole, said: “I came here since 6.30 a.m. with my son for an examination scheduled for 7:00 a.m. I don’t want to be abusive but it is unfortunate that a country like Nigeria is still experiencing this kind of thing in this 21st Century. It is a shame on government and on JAMB.”

A candidate, Maria Kareen, said the organiser should have sent e-mail to all candidates the previous day as “we waited for hours under the sun still the exam did not hold. We are pleading to government and JAMB to harmonise its workings towards the success of the forthcoming examination. I have always observed that we are not organised in this country, but they should not extend that inefficiency to the UTME because it has to do with our future.”

Kenechi Peters, also a candidate, said: “I’m not proud of JAMB anymore. I’m feeling bad because this mock examination supposed to prepare me for the examination but instead, it is reducing my morale.

Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation yesterday raised an alarm about the existence of an invisible hands and powerful forces against the management of JAMB.

The body, Nigerian Education Integrity Group (NEIG), specifically alleged that the forces were desperately working towards frustrating the positive reforms being put in place by the Registrar of the Board, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede.

The group’s observation is coming barely 24 hours after the examination body announced midway the postponement of the mock examinations as well as an extension of the registration and sales of forms for the 2017 UTME.

The NEIG in a statement by its Director of Operations, Dr. Obafemi Amzat and Legal Adviser, Elizabeth Coker, in Abuja, called on Nigerians to “pray for Oloyede because the powerful forces and invisible hands have been working round the clock to frustrate and paint him in bad light.”