JAMB: 28 Visually Impaired Candidates To Take 2023 UTME In Ekiti

The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has revealed that 28 visually impaired candidates will take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Ekiti State.

This was disclosed by Prof. Rasheed Aderinoye at the opening ceremony organised by JAMB Equal Opportunity Group for visually impaired candidates on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti.

Aderinoye called on the government to establish more schools for physically challenged students in Nigeria to promote equal rights.

The don stressed the need for government at different levels to increase the establishment of schools for the physically challenged to accommodate more special students across the country.

Aderinoye, who noted that schools for the visually impaired and other challenges were privately owned, noted that the situation has denied most of the special students the opportunity to further their education.

He noted that the 2023 JAMB examinations for special candidates had commenced in 11 centres across the country including Oyo, Lagos, Benin, and Abuja, among others, where 360 candidates were accommodated.

He added that free accommodation, transportation, feeding and writing materials have been provided for the special candidates having their exams at Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, and neighbouring states.

In her remarks, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, Wife of Ekiti Governor, praised JAMB for the equal opportunity given to special candidates.

She stated that the development has aided the promotion of diversity, tolerance and acceptability among the physically challenged.

Oyebanji noted that inclusive education was fundamental to human rights which according to her was crucial for the development of the society.

The Governor's wife encouraged stakeholders in the education sector to continue to promote ideas that propel students to reach their potential.

The Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Edward Olanipekun, represented by his Deputy (Academics) Prof. James Ayodele, appealed to stakeholders to ensure that every child has access to education regardless of their physical or mental abilities.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NANS), the event was attended by top government officials, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education,  Dr Bimpe Aderiye.

Others are the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi and University senior lecturers, among other stakeholders in the education sector.