The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has scrapped
the use of scratch cards in any of its transactions and services, describing it
as “archaic”, its Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has
announced.
He also demanded that the Federal Government should revert
to the former system where serving Vice Chancellors of Universities were made
chairmen of the Governing Board of JAMB.
A statement issued by the Spokesperson of JAMB, Dr. Fabian
Benjamin, obtained by THE PUNCH on Sunday, said, Oloyede made the announcement
in Abuja in a paper he delivered during a meeting of the Association of Vice
Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.
According to him, JAMB would be using the platform of pin
vending to check all forms of fraudulent practices which was prevalent with the
use of scratch cards.
“The decision is as a result of its consistent subjection to
fraudulent practices, the use of scratch cards is archaic and it is the drive
by JAMB to also promote accountability in line with government’s zero tolerance
for corruption. This new system will be accessible through the options of web
payment, ATM issued cards (Visa, verve and Mastercard), online quick teller,
ATM payment, quick teller mobile application and Bank Branch case/card”, he
said.
Oloyede said years ago, the understanding was that only
serving Vice-Chancellors were made chairmen of Governing Board of JAMB.
While appealing that government should go back to the
practice from inception, Oloyede added that since the agency is a creation of
the Committee of Vice-Chancellors, it would only be proper for them to be
clearly recognised as active stakeholders to avoid any acrimony between
tertiary institutions and JAMB.
He believed that going back to the old practices would
“engender good synergies and harmonious relationship with a view to effectively
delivering on its mandates.”
Oloyede recalled that for almost two decades, specifically
between 1977 and 1993, only serving Vice-Chancellors were made Chairmen of the
Board of JAMB, from Prof Oladipo Akinkugbe, VC University of Ilorin; Prof
Donald E.U Ekong, VC University of Port Harcourt; Prof Adamu Baike, VC
University of Benin; Prof Mahdi Adamu, VC University of Sokoto and Prof Isa
Mohammed, VC University of Abuja.
He said, “This practice which promoted harmony and quality
inputs on the Board’s matriculation activities have since been forgotten or
neglected".
The appointment of the chairman of the Board could be restricted to
only heads of tertiary institutions in Nigeria perhaps in rotational basis
among the Vice-Chancellor of Universities, Rectors of Polytechnics,
Monotechnics and Provosts of Colleges of Education.
Also read: Senate extends JAMB result validity to 3 years
