JAMB remits N5billion to FG coffers —Spokesperson

THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board have remitted over N5 billion to the Federal Government’s coffers, the Board’s Head of Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin has said.

This even as he has warned that the Board would not condone any act of multiple registration in the ongoing registration for Direct Entry and Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examination (UTME) for foreign centers.

Benjamin, who did not give details of the N5 billion returned to the coffers of the Federal Government, however, underscored the transparent and judicious utilisation of funds by the current JAMB leadership.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Board’s spokesperson said: “Candidates are to note that multiple registrations is a serious offence in the process of obtaining the Board’s application form be it UTME or the DE currently on sale.

“Our advertisement for 2017 UTME clearly states the penalty for any candidate caught buying two firms. The public is requested to note that any candidate who indulges in double registration will be caught by our software and disqualified.

“This information is necessary for the public to know so that when such candidates are sanctioned it will not be understood.

“The Board is not interested in the candidate’s money as being insinuated by certain group who suggested to the Board that such registration will enhance the revenue base of the Board.

“No, we are more interested in the sanctity of the examination and not the money. If money is our concern we would not be returning over 5 billion to federal government coffers.

“This year, we have remitted back to government over 5 billion naira, the highest ever in the 40 years of the Board. This money was saved through the transparent and judicious use of resources.

“We call on other government agencies to emulate the Board in prudent management of resources so that much can be save, returned to government coffers  to stimulate the economy out of the recession.

“Again, we urge candidates to disregard all information on admission especially cut-off marks being circulated on the net. No cut-off mark has been arrived at as this can only be done at a policy meeting which is at the moment yet to be conveyed.

“The policy meeting would kick-start the 2017 admission exercise with all mode, process and acceptable conditions for admission.  Candidates should not allow themselves to be defrauded by Internet fraudsters.

“The Prof Oloyede led management is working round the clock to ensure a transparent, acceptable and fair admission process that is selection of candidates.

“It has design software known as CAPS, Central Admissions Processing System where human interference will be completely removed.

The admission criteria would be keyed into the software and it will select candidates blindly according to institutions requirement without any primordial consideration.

“Once you meet the requirements you are picked, you don’t need to know anybody. This will promote equity and fairness to all,” he said.

Benjamin noted that the mandate of the Board was to be fair to all irrespective of tribe, religion among others and that the Board is determined to meet the expectations of Nigerians.