The issue of Banke Kolawole was also tabled before the Image Maker of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Headquarters Bwari Abuja, from where it was revealed that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation (JAMB)has restated its commitment to implement the policy on pre-degree programme that stipulates modalities for admission of candidates into tertiary institutions in the country with effect from this year, 2008. "The policy states that candidates with pre-degree or pre-NCE must sit for relevant matriculation examinations to higher institutions in the country.

"The examinations are Universities Matriculation Examination (UME)for Universities and Monotechnics, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education (MPCE)for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

In answer to a question, it was said that the Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, who spoke in Kaduna at the ninth UME Technical Committee Meeting on admission into degree awarding institutions also clarified the misconception that the Board has cancelled remedial programmes, saying "JAMB has no legal power to cancel any programmes, in the nation's tertiary institutions."

He said: " There is misconception of our views in respect of pre-degree, and pre-NCE programmes. JAMB has no right, or legal authority to cancel pre-degree progeramme. All we are saying is to let every one go through the normal procedure of admissions."

Continuing, he said, "whether you have Pre-ND, Pre-NCE or whatever programme, once you finish, you must take the UME or MPCE examination. So the regularisation of the Pre-ND, Pre-NCE will be stopped from next year. (enquirer please note this point)you go through remedial courses and prove your worth of what you acquired from the Programme by taking UME or MPCE and from there we know that you have fully gained admission." He explained.

It was revealed also that the registrar announced that machinery has been put in motion with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT)department to print the Original JAMB result slip via Internet to prevent over crowding at the JAMB offices, and as well an easy accessibility for candidates to further their admission request with various institutions.

He also made it clear that a comprehensive CD ROM have been sent to various institutions containing relevant details such as names of candidates, choice of institution, scores, among others, to serve as back-up to check incidence of fraud and criminal tendencies that may be perpetrated by candidates.

It did not stop there, it was said that the Chairman of the Governing Board of JAMB, Architect Amaugo Ugoji, charged the admissions officers to remain above Board with the view to taking the exercise to a glorious level.

He also said that their aim was to give good and quality admissions to the Nigeria education system and improve the standard of education. "I have no doubt in my mind that the caliber of people at this occasion would do justice to that."

I doff my hat for the Independent Advocate for the marvelous job it has been rendering to the public, may the good Lord strengthen you, and help you in all your endeavours in making sure the masses are made stress-free.