Politics
2019 UTME: Proprietress Hails Performance Of Visually Challenged Candidates
Bethesda Home for the Blind in Mushin, Lagos State, says the performance of its candidates at the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is a sign of greater things to come from the school.
The proprietress of the school, Mrs Chioma Ohakwe, made the statement in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
According to her, the heart warming and encouraging performance, was a product of the hard work, dedication, commitment and determination put in place by both the staff and students of the home.
“This year, we enrolled 25 visually impaired candidates for the JAMB organised UTME as against the 23 that sat for the same examination in 2018.
“One out of these 25 visually challenged candidates posted the highest score of 275 while the lowest was 192.
“This performance is an improvement over that of 2018 where the highest score by one of the candidates was 237, while the lowest was 189.”
She attributed the secret behind the performance to early preparation, commitment and dedication on the part of the teachers and determination on the part of the students.
“We are indeed proud of this performance as it showed that all the efforts put into preparing the candidates ahead of the examination were not in vain.
“Again, we prepared them psychologically, by asking them to take their destinies in their hands while bringing to the fore, the mode of the examination for persons in their category, which is dictation as was applied the year before,” she said.
Ohakwe assured the children that the home, through the support of the public and other stakeholders, would continue to do its best for them.
“The home would ensure that they were carried along and exposed to various opportunities open to their sighted colleagues in every sphere of life”, she said.
Our source reports that JAMB had at its recent 2019 Policy Meeting on Admissions, appealed to the heads of tertiary institutions across the country to give placements to all such special persons who must have met the admission requirements.
In his presentation at the meeting, Board’s Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, had said: Candidates who sat for UTME in foreign countries, prisons, blind and deaf candidates are to be exempted from the Post UTME tests.
According to him, the list of the respective candidates in these categories will be made available to various tertiary institutions for guidiance and necessary actions.
“This should be treated by the institutions under affirmative and inclusive actions for the accomodation of these categories of candidates.
“The board and tertiary institutions are also to ensure that these categories of candidates who meet minimum requirements are admitted.
“Also that how they are progressing are monitored in the various institutions for the purpose of confirmation of the effectiveness of the policy,” Oloyede had said.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
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