By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Nigerian automobile manufacturer, Innoson Automobile Company has withdrawn the scholarship offered to Mmesoma Ejikeme.
This came following the report by the Commission of Inquiry established by the Anambra State Government confirming Ejikeme manipulated her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination result.
This was made known by the Head of Corporate Communications and Affairs, Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe, on Saturday, 8 July, 2023.
Recall that the eight-page report of the panel also recommended that Mmesoma immediately tender an unreserved written apology to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, the school (Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Uruagu Nnewi), and the state government while advocating that Ejikeme should undergo psychological counselling and therapy.
The eight-member panel had been set up by the state Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Wednesday, 5 July, 2023 to investigate the controversy between the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and Mmesoma, over her UTME result with the mandate of making its findings public.
Osigwe said the company has been involved in the process of investigating allegations surrounding the 2023 UTME examination results of Ejikeme.
He added that subsequent reports of discrepancies in her UTME score led the company to seek clarification from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and to allow her to voice her stance with a committee set up by the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
“In line with these principles and in 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,” the company added.