• JAMB officials intervene as hijab controversy erupts at CBT centre in Ibadan
• MPAC demands sanctions over discrimination

Youths in Kogi East Senatorial District have urged the state governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, to urgently address issues of insecurity, poor Internet facility and unavailability of CBT centres in some parts of Kogi State to enable candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to participate in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The affected youths, who spoke with The Guardian in Lokoja, said that the process of writing JAMB in Kogi, which should be a stepping stone toward academic advancement, had become a burden for many youths and their families.

MEANWHILE, the Oyo State Police Command has ordered the deployment of comprehensive security measures across the state ahead of the forthcoming nationwide UTME.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, said that the officers assigned to stop-and-search duties had been instructed to act proactively, professionally, and courteously.

ALSO, the police in Osun and Lagos states have deployed officers to all CBT centres to ensure adequate security for candidates.

In the same vein, Ogun State Police Command has deployed police officers and operational assets across 72 accredited CBT centres in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement in Abeokuta, yesterday.

HOWEVER, tension flared yesterday at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, after reports emerged that female candidates wearing hijabs were being denied entry or forced to remove them before being allowed to sit for the UTME organised by JAMB.

In his post, one Shehu Abdul-Salam Alododo via a Facebook, wrote: “Urgent emergency broadcast: hijabites denied right to sit for JAMB’s UTME examinations at Esther Oshikoya CBT centre.”

However, in a follow-up development, the situation was reportedly brought under control after intervention by JAMB officials.

THE Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has called for sanctions against the management of Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre in Ibadan over the alleged discrimination of Muslim female candidates during the ongoing UTME.

In a statement signed by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, the organisation said the development caused distress to young candidates at an important stage of their academic pursuit.

MPAC, however, condemned what it described as harassment, humiliation and religious discrimination against Muslim candidates who wore hijabs to the examination venue.

It said that no candidate should be denied access to an examination because of their religious identity.