The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has renewed calls for enhanced regional collaboration to tackle terrorism, maritime crime, and transnational organised threats, as five West African countries pledged support for Nigeria’s proposed Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF).
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure that students are not made to suffer due to administrative lapses affecting the ongoing registration process.
Obi raised concerns over the persistent hardship faced by candidates at JAMB centres across the country, particularly at the Board’s office in Amawbia, Anambra State.
Obi, on his verified ‘X’ handle on Monday, noted that similar issues were reported last year following the proscription of several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres over alleged infractions.
“Last year, concerns were raised about the hardship students faced at various centres across the country, particularly at the Amawbia office of JAMB, following the proscription of several CBT centres over alleged infractions.
“The expectation was that corrective measures would follow. Sadly, as I passed there again last Friday, I met the same crowd and confusion,” he said.
According to him, further inquiries revealed that similar situations exist in other states, indicating that the challenge may be more widespread.
While acknowledging that authorities may have valid reasons for sanctioning centres, Obi called for a more balanced and humane approach.
He suggested that centres under investigation could be permitted to operate on a limited basis under strict supervision to prevent further lapses.
He also recommended the temporary re-engagement of previously approved centres under close monitoring to ease the pressure on state offices, especially as the registration deadline approaches.
With registration scheduled to end on the 26th, Obi warned that many candidates risk missing the examination due to circumstances beyond their control.
“Many candidates travel from distant villages, some even sleeping in Awka to secure access.
“If nothing urgent is done, some will miss the examination not for lack of preparation, but because the system failed them,” he stated.
Obi stressed that students must not bear the consequences of systemic shortcomings.
“What is required now is not blame, but swift and compassionate intervention to ensure that no young person’s future is jeopardised by avoidable administrative bottlenecks,” he added.
The sun
