The management of Innoson Vehicles has said it has withdrawn the N3 million scholarship awarded to Joy Mmesoma Ejikeme who admitted to manipulation of her 2023 UTME examination results to become the top scorer.
In a statement released by the Company’s Spokesman, Cornel Osigwe on Saturday, while the withdrawn was made after involved in the process of investigating the allegations surrounding results of one of its scholarship recipients.
Ejikeme, who was accused of manually inflated her UTME result from 249 to 362 and used the inflated score to attract a N3m scholarship from Innoson Vehicles, and was set to be awarded by the Anambra State Government before she was exposed.
Earlier, Osigwe in a post via his Twitter handle, @cornelosigwe said, Ejikeme who he met does not have the brain and capacity to manipulate result, he added that there is more to this story while called for proper investigation. “Proper investigation needs to be done. Abeg let the poor breath.
“That girl was one of the most brilliant in her school, according to the Principal, her parents couldn’t even afford to pay for her WAEC and NECO Exams. Of what advantage will it offer her to manipulate her JAMB score? Let the poor breathe pls”, Osigwe said.
The Innoson, in its statement further said that subsequent reports of discrepancies in her UTME score led the company to seek clarification from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to allow her to voice her stance, and engaged in direct dialogue with Miss Joy.
However, a committee set up by the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, carried out a thorough independent investigation into this matter. “The findings from this rigorous investigation have now confirmed that Miss Joy Mmesoma Ejikeme did manipulate her UTME results.
“This conclusion is deeply disappointing and stands in direct contravention of the values we hold dear at Innoson Vehicles, particularly those that underscore our scholarship program.
“In line with these principles and response to the confirmed findings, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw the scholarship awarded to Miss Joy Mmesoma Ejikeme. This action is testament to our unyielding commitment to honesty, integrity, and merit-based recognition.
“We acknowledge that this development is regrettable, and it has undoubtedly caused dismay among those who stood by Miss Joy, including her school principal and other well-meaning supporters. However, it is crucial to maintain the integrity of our scholarship program and the values it represents.
Innoson Vehicles remains steadfast in its mission to support deserving students, invest in the future of our education sector, and uphold the highest ethical standards.
“We have always been deeply committed to advancing educational excellence and upholding academic integrity through our scholarship program. We believe in rewarding exceptional students who display not just academic prowess but also embody the values of honesty, transparency, and respect for the processes that govern our educational system.
“We extend our appreciation to the public, JAMB, the Anambra State Governor’s committee, and all those who have shown understanding and support during this challenging situation. We remain committed to fostering educational excellence in Nigeria”, the company said.