UTME Candidates Shut Down JAMB Office In Calabar

Not less than 500 prospective candidates of the
Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination, on Wednesday, embarked
on peaceful protest in Calabar following
the poor internet service affecting their
registration process for the examination.
The candidates, who started the protest
at 7a.m. from the Joint Admissions and
Matriculation Board (JAMB) office on
Marian Road, went round Barracks Road
and the Millennium Park, before
returning to the JAMB office.
The candidates were chanting solidarity
songs and held fresh leaves in their
hands, while the Police and men of the
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDC) followed them to prevent break
down of law and order.
A candidate, Mr Jeremiah Osibu said that
since the beginning of the registration
on March 20, he had not been able to
get his Personal Identity Number (PIN)
for his registration.
“The process of registration this year has
been so difficult. I come to this JAMB
office every working day; but till now, I
have not been registered,’’ he said.
Also, Miss Comfort Eban, said that after
paying the N6, 200 fee for the UTME,
she had spent more than N8,000 on
transportation from her house to JAMB
office since March 20.
“I am joining this protest today because
we want our leaders and the examination
body to do something about it. The 2017
process of registration is too stressful.
“From the look of things, if this
registration continues like this in the
next few days, thousands of prospective
candidates would not be able to sit for
this examination,‘’ she said.
Mr. Richard Onah, who said he came all
the way from Ogoja Local Government
Area to register for the examination,
called on JAMB to extend the registration
to capture all prospective candidates.
Efforts to speak with JAMB officials in
the state were not successful as
protesters blocked the entrance to the
JAMB office.
Petty traders were making brisk
businesses through the sales of food,
sachet water, biscuits and banana, as a
result of the delay being experienced by
prospective UTME candidates in JAMB
office.