By Stephen Adeleye

The Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, IION, has warned against any form of extortions of prospective candidates for the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME-JAMB) registration under any form of disguise in the state.

The Commissioner gave the warning on Wednesday during an unscheduled visit to the office of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) over an alleged extortion of prospective candidates for the 2022 UMTE in linking their JAMB registration to National Identification Number (NIN).

The commissioner had earlier received information on the alleged extortion of prospective UMTE candidates at NIMC office Lokoja, in attempt to link their registration to NIN.

It was alleged that candidates were being asked to pay as high as between N2,500 to N6,000 for prompt linkage of their UMTE registration to NIN or choose to wait for two months if they could not afford the money.

These allegations prompted the Commissioner to launch a discreet investigation into the matter and also paid an unscheduled visit to the commission’s office.

While the NIMC officials denied the alleged extortion, the Commissioner warned that Kogi State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, does not tolerate any form of corruption, extortion or exploitation of their students under any guise or manipulation.

The Commissioner reiterated the avowed commitment of the Governor to ensure that no form of corruption is permitted to thrive in any part of the state in his bid to guarantee citizens’ access to quality education.

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