Stephen Ukandu , Umuahia
Innoson Motors has withdrawn the N3 million university scholarship to the self acclaimed highest scorer of the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, Mmesoma Ejikeme, following the outcome of an investigation that she personally manipulated her result.
The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, had last week disowned the result being paraded by Mmesoma, saying it never emanated from the examination body.
Following the controversy ignited by the action of JAMB, Anambra State Government which had also proposed honouring the supposed highest scorer, instituted a probe panel, which eventually indicated her.
Consequently, Innoson Motors has announced the withdrawal of the scholarship offer to Mmesoma, saying her action contradicted the core values of the company.
The withdrawal was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications IVM Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe.
Osigwe who disclosed this on his Twitter handle Saturday, said the decision was taken based on the outcome of the panel’s investigation.
Below is a full text of the statement obtained by Ikengaonline:
“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 programme.
“In line with these principles and in 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 programme and the values it represents.
“Innoson Vehicles 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 programme.
“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.”
