Ict/Telecom
JAMB CBT Exam Not Technical – Official
An Assistant Director of
the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Mrs Ebere Okeke, has said that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Computer-based Test (CBT) is not technical for candidates.
Okeke told The Tide source at the Yaba College of Technology centre in Lagos recently that the CBT process was as simple as using a telephone handset. She described the CBT mode as the solution to examination malpractices for JAMB.
Okeke said the process had been simplified and devoid of technicalities for the candidates.
“The CBT is just as simple as the way your handset is operated. It is all about read, press and click and that is all.
“No matter where you are coming from; even if you are coming from the moon or the remote village, you can write the examination,” she said.
Okeke said candidates and parents should not be bothered about the process which would improve ICT skill of candidates.
“The board has the capacity to go full blown CBT by 2015 and with the support of the public, it will be a success.
“Our message is that with CBT, all forms of examination malpractices, impersonation, and cheating are removed.
“Once you can operate your handset, receive and make call, then you can write the CBT examination.
“It is not a highly technical process that needs any technicality, it is about pressing and clicking just as you press your handset,” she said.
She urged Nigerians to embrace the process as it was in line with international standards. Another official of JAMB, Mr Adetunmobi Olalekan, advised Nigerians to embrace the CBT.
Olalekan gave the advice at another centre of the examination in Lagos.
He said that CBT was a better examination mode as it was good for checking examination malpractice and promoting excellence among students. Olalekan said that the mode was also flexible and would prevent problem of missing scripts.
He said that the CBT was also less expensive than the Paper Pencil Test (PPT), which he said, attracted outrageous costs.
“The cost of conducting the CBT exam is cheaper than the PPT as it does not involve printing of questions and answer sheets and paying banks for the custody of the materials.
“There is no need to hire drivers and vans to distribute the materials from one state or centre to another.
“It also reduces manpower for supervision as JAMB usually pays the invigilators used in the centres.
“The CBT eliminates printing and transporting of material because the questions are already uploaded in the system and come up immediately the candidate logs in,” he said.
Olalekan said that the CBT could be easily be rescheduled for any candidate who genuinely missed the examination before the end of the period scheduled.
According to him, facilities at the centres designated for the conduct of the CBT have been improved, while more centres have emerged.
“This shows the board is prepared to conduct only CBT exam in 2015. It may only take more weeks than usual since it would accommodate more candidates, but it would be successful,” he said.
Olalekan urged the federal, state governments and schools to support JAMB in the realisation of its goal in 2015 by providing computers in more centres, while JAMB would provide the application soft ware.
“The minimum computer needed for a centre to conduct CBT is 50. If local and state governments could provide such, it would go a long way to helping the board,” he said.
Some candidates said that the CBT was a better mode of conducting examination.
They commended JAMB for introducing the mode of examination describing it as very easy and not technical.
A candidate, Samuel Somoyede, said that the mode was about reading and clicking.
“It is not a difficult process as people assume; I like it and I think it is the best for our education system,” Somoyede said.
Another candidate, Joy Binitie, said the process was faster than other mode of examination.
“I was afraid when I sat in front of the computer because I do not have the experience.
“Now, that I have experienced it, is it easy and straight forward, all I do is read the question, click my answer and go to the next page,” she said.
A candidate, Daniel Badru, also noted that the CBT examination was more friendly and flexible.
“If internet facilities are provided in the rural areas and people there can have access to computers, then it is recommendable that JAMB scraps the PPT and adopt only the CBT,” he said.
Investigation have revealed that the ongoing CBT of the UTME was hitch- free at the FCE(T), Akoka in Lagos, as there were no problems with biometric verification .
The centre relied solely on a standby generator to avoid power failure and computers functioned properly with backups.
Olalekan, the supervisor of the centre, had said that the centre accommodated 403 candidates for the examination.
While 203 candidates sat for the morning session, 200 candidates sat for the afternoon session.
The morning session started by 8.00 am and ended by 11.30am, while the afternoon session started by 12.30 pm and ended by 4.00pm.
Our source also reports that the CBT examination for the UTME which began on May 17, would run till May 31.
The Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Company Limited (SNEPCo), Elohor Aiboni, said Bonga, Nigeria’s first deep-water asset, has recorded major milestones, due to effective leadership, cutting-edge technology, continuous improvement and collaboration with stakeholders.
She noted that since coming on stream in November 2005, Bonga has maintained a track record of production that saw it achieve one-billion-barrel export on February 13, last year.
In her presentation, titled “The Bonga Journey to a Billion Barrels”, at the ongoing 2024 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, United States, Aiboni, said: “SNEPCo is grateful for the contributions of all the parties to the Bonga story and we can all be proud of the milestones.
“Bonga has been consistent. In 2014, nine years after coming onstream, it achieved half a billion barrels of crude and doubled it in 2023. We have worked relentlessly to ensure excellent asset management, project and wells delivery and deployment of technology and innovations in our operations”.
According to her, these factors, “coupled with the supportive partnership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and our co-venturers – TotalEnergies, EP Nigeria Limited; Nigerian Agip Exploration; and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, make Bonga stand out as a world-class investment case”.
She continued that, “SNEPCo also enjoyed the support of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in the success of Bonga operations”.
Aiboni also listed the challenges of keeping the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel full as the asset ages and dealing with unexpected developments with subsea wells and equipment.
She said: “SNEPCo responded with a campaign of operational excellence, which among other initiatives, led to the creation of a programme known as the Bonga Business Improvement Plan that continually reviews and identifies improvement initiatives and drives sustainability in operations and upskilling of staff.
“The Bonga success story has been led by Nigerians who have been managing directors of SNEPCo since it was established in 1993, in a deliberate policy by Shell to develop indigenous manpower for deep-water operations in Nigeria.
“Today, some 97percent of the SNEPCo workforce is Nigerian and overall, Bonga has helped to create a new generation of Nigerian deep-water professionals.
“Our vision at SNEPCo remains to be the best deep-water business, powering growth and achieving net zero emissions in line with Shell’s Powering Progress strategy”.
Banks’ borrowings from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fell month-on-month, (MoM) by 44 percent to N12.16 trillion in April from N21.7 trillion in March.
Analysis of latest data from the CBN shows that the 44percent drop represents the first MoM decline in banks borrowing from since January when it increased by 268.7 percent to N3.6 trillion from N976.29 billion in December 2023.
However, further analysis showed that banks’ deposits in the CBN SDF grew MoM by 118.4 percent to N428.97 billion in April from N196.37 billion in March 2024.
Banks make use of the SLF to access liquidity to run their day-to-day business operations while the Standing Deposit Facility window (SDF) on the other hand, is an overnight deposit facility that allows banks to lodge excess liquidity (money) with the CBN and earn interest.
The decline in banks’ borrowing from SLF may reflect an increase in banking system liquidity and also the decision of the apex bank last year to remove the limit on the remunerable daily placements by banks at the SDF.
According to the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, the CBN removed the cap on the remunerable SDF to increase activity in the SDF window and manage liquidity.
A Financial technology expert, Olatunji Akinrinola, has highlighted the exponential growth of the FinTech industry, which according to him, was driven by technological advancements.
Akinrinola made this assertion in a press release recently, where he stressed that the role of technology in driving this exponential growth in the FinTech sector was very outstanding.
According to him, Technology has revolutionised the way financial services are delivered, making them more accessible, efficient, and inclusive.
“Through innovations such as mobile banking, digital payments, and blockchain technology, FinTech companies have been able to reach a larger population and provided them with access to financial services”, he stated.
Akinrinola emphasised the role of technology in enabling financial inclusion, adding: “Technology has democratised access to financial services, particularly in regions with limited banking infrastructure.
“Mobile money platforms and digital wallets have empowered individuals to conduct financial transactions conveniently and securely, without the need for traditional banking services”.
He also underscored the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics in driving innovation within the FinTech industry, noting: “AI-powered algorithms and predictive analytics have revolutionised risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer personalisation in financial services.
“These technologies enable FinTech companies to provide tailored solutions and mitigate risks more effectively, ultimately enhancing the overall customer experience”.
Akinrinola stressed the importance of regulatory frameworks in fostering the growth of the FinTech industry.
“While technology has accelerated the growth of FinTech, it is essential to establish robust regulatory frameworks to ensure consumer protection and maintain market stability. Regulators play a crucial role in balancing innovation with risk management, thereby creating a conducive environment for the sustainable growth of the FinTech sector”, he stated.
Akinrinola underscored the role of technology in driving the exponential growth of the FinTech industry, saying, “Technology has been a game-changer for the FinTech sector, enabling innovation, expanding access to financial services, and driving economic growth.
“As technology continues to evolve, the FinTech industry will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of financial services ecosystem”.
Corlins Walter
