Over 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, told the News Agency
of Nigeria (NAN) 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, told NAN 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 made by NAN to speak with JAMB officials in
the state were not successful as protesters blocked the entrance to the JAMB
office.
NAN reports that 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.
The nation
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