UTME Score: Innoson withdraws scholarship, as Mmesoma’s father sends message to JAMB, Nigerians

VOICE AIR MEDIA News Update

Romanus Ejikeme, father of embattled Anambra Student, Mmesoma Ejikeme, who recently confessed to the forgery of the result of her 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination has said her daughter didn’t confess her “crime” to him on time.

Romanus also pleaded with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and Nigerians at large to forgive his daughter.

According to report, JAMB had last Sunday accused Mmesoma of manually inflating her 2023 UTME result from 249 to 362. The embattled student had gone ahead to obtain a scholarship from Innoson, a scholarship which has now been withdrawn.

Despite multiple pleas by the Board, Mmesoma insisted her result was not forged and noted that she printed her result from the website of JAMB.
Following her insistence, the Board slammed a three-year ban on her with the House of Representatives calling for a stay of action.

Speaking in an interview with the Nigeria Television Authority, Mr. Ejikeme said, “My daughter didn’t open up to me on time. When I realised the mistake she did, I blamed her a lot but I’m still apologising to JAMB and Nigerians to pardon her.”

Many Nigerians who had earlier shown support for her began to withdraw support while others have started tendering unreserved apologies to the Board following her confession.

A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili has pleaded that she be sent for counselling with another former minister, Osita Chidoka who is the owner of the center where Mmesoma sat her UTME calling for a pardon for the candidate.

Similarly,
Following Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma’s admission that she faked her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, score despite earlier denial, the chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, has announced the withdrawal of the scholarship he offered her.

This came as Mmesoma’s father, Romanus Ejikeme tendered an unreserved apology to JAMB and Nigerians on the unfortunate action of his daughter.

Chukwuma had said that he had already deposited N3 million into a dedicated account for Mmesoma’s university education following a report that she scored highest in the examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB.

A statement by Innoson Group Head of Corporate Communications & Affairs, Cornel Osigwe said: “In recent days, we have been involved in the process of investigating allegations surrounding the 2023 UTME examination results of one of our scholarship recipients, Miss Joy Mmesoma Ejikeme.

“It was reported initially that Miss Joy scored exceptionally high on the exam, a feat that led to her being awarded a scholarship by our company.

“However, subsequent reports of discrepancies in her UTME score led us to seek clarification from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and to allow her to voice her stance, we engaged in direct dialogue with Miss Joy.

“Further to this, a committee set up by the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, carried out a thorough independent investigation into this matter.

“The findings from this rigorous investigation have now confirmed that Miss Joy Mmesoma Ejikeme did manipulate her UTME results. This conclusion is deeply disappointing and stands in direct contravention of the values we hold dear at Innoson Vehicles, particularly those that underscore our scholarship program.

“In line with these principles and response to the confirmed findings, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw the scholarship awarded to Miss Joy Mmesoma Ejikeme. This action is a testament to our unyielding commitment to honesty, integrity, and merit-based recognition.

“We acknowledge that this development is regrettable, and it has undoubtedly caused dismay among those who stood by Miss Joy, including her school principal and other well-meaning supporters.

“However, it is crucial to maintain the integrity of our scholarship program and the values it represents.
“Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing remains steadfast in its mission to support deserving students, invest in the future of our education sector, and uphold the highest ethical standards. “We have always been deeply committed to advancing educational excellence and upholding academic integrity through our scholarship program.

“We believe in rewarding exceptional students who display not just academic prowess but also embody the values of honesty, transparency, and respect for the processes that govern our educational system.

“We extend our appreciation to the public, JAMB, the Anambra State Governor’s committee, and all those who have shown understanding and support during this challenging situation. We remain committed to fostering educational excellence in Nigeria.”