…notifies NASS, Govs, others of next action
By Ime Silas
The Foundation for Civic Education, Human Rights and Development Advancement (FoCEHr aDA) has in very strong terms, condemned the non-release of some results of some candidates of the just-concluded 2024 examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) in some centres in Akwa Ibom and other states in Nigeria.
In a release signed by its Executive Director, Clifford Thomas, Esq., FoCEHr aDA gave JAMB seven (7) days ultimatum to release the affected results noting that failure to so do will leave them with no other option than to mobilize and galvanize support from parents and guardians of the affected candidates to press for the scrapping of the Board.
While berating JAMB for basing their decision not to release the said results on alleged malpractices and others, the NGO questioned JAMB’s professional competence, good faith and capacity to manage such examinations and further described thier action as unconstitutional and illegal.
Our paper has yet to receive a feedback from JAMB on their official position on the matter.
The Press Release by FoCEHr aDA is hereunder presented in full:
JAMB MUST REDRESS THIS INJUSTICE BY RELEASING THE FULL 2024 RESULTS
The Foundation for Civic Education, Human Rights and Development Advancement (FoCEHr aDA) is a national Human Rights Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with three thematic foci areas of Civic Education, Human Rights and Development Advancement, but it broadens the scope to cover good governance, and peace building issues across communities in Nigeria, though the operational base is in Akwa Ibom State.
We condemn in very strong terms, the non-release of results of candidates in certain centers in Akwa Ibom, and in other States of the federation, by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) in the recently released results for the 2024 JAMB examinations.
JAMB has not shown good faith and professional competence in the conduct and management of entrance examinations into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. We don’t understand why in an examination not conducted by, or any input made by the candidates, the examination body which screens candidates, nominates and gives centers, dates, venues and timetables to candidates, would seize results of candidates, and claim that such results are “under investigation”.
When has it become an offence to score very high in examinations conducted by JAMB. Nigerian candidates writing JAMB have become so good that they cover the syllabus, prepare very well for the examinations. Where there is no power failure, breakdown of the computers or other technical glitches, candidates in Nigeria, are fully prepared for the examinations.
It would amount crass irresponsibility for JAMB to begin to question centers that it cleared, also have its agents on ground at the centers, for purposes of transparency and efficiency, if it could seize results of candidates for whatever reason. There must be proof of irregularities before punitive measures are imposed upon the guilty.
We put JAMB on Notice; for it to release all the results forthwith, unconditionally, to show that it has not failed in its duties. Candidates who write these examinations are seeking for admission into Nigerian public tertiary institutions. Why dash the confidence of candidates in our public educational institutions?
Again, there is no law in Nigeria which forbids candidates less than 18 years of age, from writing JAMB’s entrance examinations. It amounts to an illegality, unconstitutional and a violation of the social (educational) rights of candidates to also seize their results because they are less than 18 years. JAMB is calling for the kind of trouble that may eventually lead to its extinction.
We give an ultimatum of Seven (7) days, commencing from Wednesday, 8th of May, 2024, to release the seized results.
At the expiration of this Seven (7) days notice, we shall mobilize and galvanize support from parents and guardians, to commence an advocacy for the scrapping of JAMB, and for the need for tertiary institutions in Nigeria to conduct their entrance examinations.
The Presidency is hereby put on Notice, the Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, States Houses of Assembly, the media. Security agencies and the diplomatic missions are also notified.
This rip-off and injustice must stop!
Clifford Thomas, Esq.
Executive Director
08039379156