The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has concluded plans to release the results of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, is scheduled to hold a press briefing in Abuja on Monday regarding the release of the results and related matters, as indicated in a notice circulated to journalists in the capital city.

The notice was made available by the Board’s Head of Public Relations, Fabian Benjamin, on Sunday.

However, there are indications that results that would be released on Monday are for the candidates that participated in the UTME in the first few days, while others would be released after “due diligence” is completed.

The board earlier clarified that the decision to delay the release of the results for a few days was made to allow ample time for thorough scrutiny.

This measure, according to the examination body, was taken to guarantee the credibility and integrity of the results, ensuring there are no doubts or uncertainties, especially concerning issues such as impersonation, mixed biometrics, and other forms of malpractices.

In the past week, more than 1.9 million candidates enrolled for the 2024 UTME across over 700 Computer-Based Test centers nationwide.

The 2024 examination, which commenced on Friday, April 19, 2024, is expected to be concluded today.

Tinubu has appointed vetetan banker, Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

JomogNews reports that President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

This online news platform understands that this was announced in a State House Press Release by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale on April 26.

According to the statement, ‘‘the President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds and of ensuring that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.’’

Jim Ovia, CFR, is the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, one of Africa’s largest banks with over $21.4 billion in assets and shareholders’ funds of over US$2.4 billion as at December 2023. Zenith Bank is a global brand listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange. In addition to major operations in Nigeria and other West African countries, the Bank has sizeable operations in London and Dubai.

Jim Ovia is the Founder and Chancellor of James Hope University, Lekki, Lagos which was recently approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer postgraduate degrees in business courses. James Hope University commenced activities in September 2023.

Through his philanthropy – the Jim Ovia Foundation – he has shown the importance he accords good education. In support of the Nigerian youth, Jim Ovia Foundation offers scholarships to indigent students through the Mankind United to Support Total Education (MUSTE) initiative. Most of the beneficiaries of Jim Ovia Foundation scholarship are now accountants, business administrators, lawyers, engineers, doctors etc.

He is the author of “Africa Rise and Shine”, published by ForbesBooks. The book which encapsulates Zenith Bank’s meteoric rise, details the secrets of success in doing business in Africa. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School (OPM), University of Louisiana (MBA), and Southern University, Louisiana, (B.Sc. Business Administration). Jim Ovia is a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Community of Chairpersons, and a champion of the Forum’s EDISON Alliance.

In recognition of Jim Ovia’s contributions to the economic development of Nigeria, in 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honoured him with Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR. Also, in May 2022, Jim Ovia was conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Earlier, he has been conferred with the national awards of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, and Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, in 2000 and 2011, respectively, as a testament to his visionary leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s financial services sector.

The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.

An X user, @mooyeeeeeee, is seeking justice for a female student of Lead British International School, Abuja, who she said was bullied by her classmates.

In an SOS post on Monday night, accompanied by two videos, she stated she needed the message to go viral to get justice for the victim.

“There’s a video I’m about to post. I need you guys to help me get justice for (sic). She was bullied in her school by her classmates at Lead British School, Abuja. Pls make it go viral so she can get justice,” the post read.

In one of the videos, the victim was seen being slapped repeatedly by another female student while asking “Who broke my heart?”.

In another video, the victim was seen sitting next to a male classmate who was heard saying “I spoilt her relationship”.

The post has since generated over 1,000 comments as of the time of filling this report.

Those who reacted condemned the incident, calling on the school authorities to investigate the matter.

An X user, @knownso1 said, “This is so sad to watch, don’t care what happened but she’s doesn’t deserve such treatment from these rascals.

“Imagine the nonsensical boy beside her even laughing. Them suppose mend that boy. But she could at least fight back and don’t allow them treat her like a coward!!”

Another user, @Lefter_11, advised that the victims’ parents should report the incident to the police.

“Her parents should involve police and also report those children to school authorities. Some of us that went to public schools will not care to let our parents know that someone bullied or beat us , we go just arrange some friends and treat them in the language they understand,” he said

Meanwhile, another X user, @sadiqGsadiq, posted a screenshot where it was alleged that the school has a bullying problem.

The untitled screenshot also alleged that another student of the school cut her classmate with a knife but was only given a two-day suspension.

“Bullying is one of the biggest issue in Lead British international school.

“And the worst thing is that they don’t even take serious actions for it. The punishment they use is always packing of trash like…does that make sense? Will packing of trash stop me from bullying someone? it does not even make sense, to be honest.

“The school is always trying to hide things like this. When things like this happen and we tell our parents, our parents think we are being dramatic and stuff that’s why we all need you to put back the post and bring awareness cuz it needs to stop.

“When I told my mom, she said I was lying. It was when I showed her the video that she believed me sef
“Let me tell you something, worst things have happened. There was a time a girl brought a knife or a paper cutter and used it to slice a boy’s hand. The boy was in Year 7. He had to get stitches and the girl’s punishment was two days suspension cuz allegedly her parents paid the school or something,” the screenshot read.

The school has yet to respond officially to the incident as of the time of filling this report.

The Head, Corporate Affairs and Business Development (Abuja branch), Ngozi Nwaokoma, did not also respond to the messages dropped on her phone.

Meanwhile, a check on the school showed it is rated as one of the most expensive in Nigeria with an annual school fee of N1.5 million according to Legit News.

It was established in September 2007 and currently has two annexes in Abuja and two branches in Ibadan, Oyo State and Osogbo, Osun State.

Presently, the Abuja branch runs a British-Nigerian curriculum with its scope on Secondary, Cambridge and IGSCE.