The executive chairman of Innoson motors, Chukwuma Innoson, has officially withdrawn the N3 million scholarship that was initially awarded to Mmesoma Ejikeme following her indictment by the probe committee set up by governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to look into the controversies surrounding her UTME result.
The panel of inquiry in their final report which was obtained by this medium confirmed that Mmesoma Ejikeme actually manipulated her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination result.
The report of the panel also recommended that Mmesoma should immediately tender an unreserved written apology to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Nnewi and the state government.
Recall that Mmesoma, a student of Anglican Girls Secondary School, Nnewi, had sat for the UTME in May and came under scrutiny for parading the “highest score” of 362, which the examination body—JAMB later revealed was manipulated.
However, in a statement made by the Head of Corporate Communications & Affairs Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe which a copy was made available to News Band Newspaper, said the hard decision to withdraw Mmesoma’s scholarship is a testament to the company’s unyielding commitment to honesty, integrity, and merit-based recognition.
While acknowledging that the decision to withdraw the scholarship was very difficult, Osigwe however noted that the action has to be taken so as to maintain the integrity of the scholarship program and the values it represents.
The statement reads, “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 program.
“In line with these principles and 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 program 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 program. 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.
“Thank you.”