- Soludo commended the student for making the state proud
- The scholarship will see her study any course of her choice at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
- Soludo ordered counselling, therapy for Mmesoma
Gov Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has offered scholarship to Miss Nkechinyere Umeh who emerged best performing candidate in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Christian Aburime, Soludo’s Press Secretary on Tuesday.
Umeh scored 360 out of 400.
Soludo congratulated the remarkable student on making the state proud with her exceptional performance.
“The governor has announced a well-deserved scholarship for her to study any course of her choice at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
“The scholarship will not only serve as a token of the state government’s appreciation for her hard work but also provide her with the opportunity to pursue her dreams and contribute to the development of the state in the future,” it said.
Soludo wished Umeh continued success in her future academic pursuits, and encouraged other young Anambra students all over to be inspired by Umeh’s outstanding performance.
He said they should take advantage of the improved conducive learning environment in the State and strive for excellence at all times.
Meanwhile, Soludo has issued a directive regarding Mmesomma Joy Ejikeme, the student who admitted to fabricating her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result.
Recall that Ejikeme claimed to have scored 362 as against the 249 marks the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) recorded as her tally.
JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, disclosed that “all available data indicated that Ejikeme is 19 years old” and not 16, as was initially claimed by the candidate.
Soludo directed that Ejikeme be referred to the State Guidance Counsellor for additional guidance and therapy in a letter signed by the spokesperson for the State Ministry of Education, Nnaemeka Egwuonwu.
The letter was addressed to the Principal of Anglican Girls Secondary School Nnewi, where Ejikeme is enrolled.
The directive, according to Egwuonwu, is in line with one of the recommendations of the Committee set up by the state government to investigate the matter, following the parading of the fake results, which elicited interest and generated controversy and misgivings among the general public.
Egwuonwu added that Governor Soludo has also directed the immediate start of psychological counselling and therapy sessions for Ejikeme.
He also stated that the governor directed that Mmesoma be handed over to a Clinical Psychology Professor.
The committee of inquiry set up by the Anambra State Government to look into the examination fraud involving Ejikeme confirmed that she manipulated her UTME result, giving herself a score of 362 as against an actual score of 249.
In its eight-page report, the committee said that the candidate admitted that she manipulated the fake result herself using her phone.
Following the report of the committee, JAMB said it has been vindicated by the report of the Commission of Inquiry set up by the Anambra State Government to look into the alleged forgery of UTME results by Ejikeme.
JAMB also barred Ejikeme from sitting for the Board’s examination for the next three years, while Innoson Group also withdrew the scholarship given to her.