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*As 24 physically challenged candidates sit for exam
From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Joseph Ayodele, has commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for its commitment to inclusive education by creating the platform for candidates with special needs to participate in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination ( UTME) in the country.
The VC also hailed the Board’s Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede for initiating the Joint Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), a platform that has been affording physically challenged persons the opportunity to also secure admissions into higher institutions of choice in the country like the able candidates.
The VC represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olufemi Oke, made the remarks while addressing the candidates at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) Ado-Ekiti, the designated JEOG Centre in Ekiti State, where he assured that EKSU as the host university would continue to provide the support and enabling environment to ensure a stress-free exercise for the candidates.
“The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is an organised exam for intending students into tertiary institutions. Any student that wants to gain admission must pass through this stage to write the UTME exam to be able to get qualified and I am very impressed with the opportunity they are given you as special candidates to JAMB and to Nigeria. This is to tell you that you have equal opportunity even to those who claim they don’t have any challenge.
“With all the facilities given you by Nigeria and even JAMB, is to assure you that you have equal opportunity with other candidates and to also say there is no course you cannot study in any higher institution of your choice and so, I will implore you to settle down and do your exams very well. You have all the opportunities that you need here to be able to write your exam and perform very well. I wish you success in your exam.
“The university will continue to provide the support and conducive environment to ensure that candidates with special needs have smooth examination in our institution.”
The Centre Coordinator for JEOG in Ekiti State, Prof. Rasheed Aderinoye, said the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oluyede, initiated the programme ten years ago with eleven centres across the country, including, Abuja, Lagos, Ado-Ekiti, Oyo, Yola, Enugu, Bauchi, Jos, Kebbi, Benin, and Kano across the country.
“When Prof Is-haq Oloyede came on board ten years ago, he thought of how can he create opportunities for those that are disadvantaged. And among the disadvantaged, we have the people with special needs and the girl child.
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“But for the special needs we established the group known as Joint Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) under the chairmanship of Emeritus Prof. Peter Okebukola. And for that group, we have eleven centres in the country, including
Abuja, Lagos, Ado-Ekiti, Oyo, Yola, Enugu, Bauchi, Jos, Kebbi, Benin and Kano.
“The essence is to create more opportunities and access to higher education for the people that are disadvantaged to ensure that those that are disabled either in form of blindness, ear impairment, and other areas that we have to take care of them. Even people who are amputated and cannot write, people will have to sit by him or her to write for them.”
Aderinoye who disclosed that 24 candidates sat for the exam in the Ado-Ekiti centre, said each of the centres accommodate varying numbers, ranging from as low as 10 to as high as 100 candidates .
Accordion to him, the Board ensured free registration for qualified candidates and also provided them with free meals, accommodation, transportation among other supports throughout the period of the exam to ensure seamless and hitch-free process.
“What JAMB has done is to ensure free registration for those that have five papers at the registration point, and when it comes to the exam, JAMB also provided for them free accommodation in any hotel around the cities of their centres. Then free feeding for all of them.
“Again, transport from their villages or from their towns to the cities is subsidised for both the candidates and their guides.”
He noted that despite the special consideration, “the questions for the special group are the same as for the regular candidates.”
One of the candidates, Stephen Oluwasegun, expressed optimism in the outcome and another, Akinola Oluwatimileyin, also expressed hope of securing success in the exam, disclosing to study Social Studies Education at the university
