By Dayo Adesulu, Amaka Abayomi  & Ikenna Asomba

The confusion experienced by candidates of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations UTME, last week over dates for the examination heightened on Monday as students who were earlier informed by JAMB that the examination would start on March 9 got to their examination centres to realise it had been shifted till the next day. JAMB’s Public Relations Office, Mr Benjamin Fabian had last week informed candidates through the media that the examination would commences on 9 March, 2014.

Moreover, some UTME candidates who registered for the examination in Lagos State were posted to Osun, Ogun and Kwara states to write the examinations. Candidates and parents who complained bitterly to our correspondent said they had to pay for the incompetence of JAMB.

Vanguard investigations revealed further that students and their parents were not happy with the development as they were made to travel with their children to such distance and pay for hotel bills.

Yesterday as early as 8.00am when Vanguard visited Yaba College of Technology , YABATECH, one of the centres designated by JAMB to conduct the CBT examinations, the centre was occupied by new students who were at the ICT building of the school for their online registrations.

Investigation by Vanguard shows that some students who thought the examination was billed for Monday, had already visited the centre but were told to come back on Wednesday, March 11 for the exams.

Speaking to one of the ICT staff, who pleaded anonymity, she said: “As you can see, the JAMB CBT is no longer holding here today. It’s going to be held on Wednesday, March 11. So, we expect candidates to be here as early as 6.00am.” Asked about the shift in date of the examination she said: “As usual, some candidates were here today, as early as 6.00am, but we told them to return on Wednesday for the exams. All things being equal, the exam will go as stipulated by JAMB.”

Meanwhile, telephone calls made by our correspondent to JAMB’s Public Relations Office, Mr Benjamin Fabian indicated that his lines were switched off.

Candidates speak

Meanwhile, on visits to some exam centers, our reporters observed that the exams were going on without hitches and there were no reported cases of examination malpractices nor glitches with the computers. Some of the candidates who spoke to Vanguard Learning said the exams was well organised and they preferred it to the paper and pencil type of examinations. For Adeniran Rafiat, who wants to to study Business Administration at the University of Ilorin, said “I wasn’t too familiar with the computer but had to go learn how to use it and also bought the CBT practice disc which really helped me during the exams.

“The exams was without hitches though there were few cases of some candidates who were not familiar with the computer who mistakenly submitted their scripts without answering any question.” Sayidat Olajide also bought the CBT practice disc and had to learn how to operate the computer to enable her take part in the exams. She said “the exams was fairly easy for those who really prepared for it and we were given three and a half hours for the four papers.”

For Kehinde Nafisat, though the paper and pencil exams was a more preferred option because she isn’t too familiar with the computer, but the exams was okay as she prepared well for it. She said “though I prefer the paper and pencil type, the questions were somehow easy as I really prepared hard for it because I want this to be the last UTME I’ll write.” Though Olatemiotan Timileyin and Lanre Tijani were logged off before the expiration of their time, they said the exams was well organised, was fairly easy and didnt give room for exam malpractice as biometrics were carried out on the candidates before and after the exams.

However, for candidates who may have difficulty locating its examination centre in Lagos, listed below are JAMB’s CBT examination Centers in Lagos and GSM numbers to call. Adeniran Ogunsanya College Of Education, Otto, Ijanikin Ojo – Akinola Victor Olu, 08034546199 Audax Solutions, Plot 24 ,Blk 113,Adebisi Ogunniyi Crescent, Ikate 3rd Roundabout, Lekki Phase I Lagos Lekki – Chukwuemeka Onyenwe, 08038847295 Bafuto Computer And Secretarial School Egbe, No. 62 Ikotu/Isolo Road, Ile-Iwe Bus Stop Egbe, Lagos State – Engr. Adekunle Babajide Banjo, 08023624940

Chamscity 2a Isaac John Street, G.R.A, Ikeja Lagos – Titilayo Adeaga, 08035242835 Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos – Col. Y.z. Momoh, 08033926129 – Digital Bridge Institute, Old Nitel Training School , Agege Motor Road, Cappa, Oshodi Lagos – Samuel Olanrewaju, 08035908447 ETC Nigeria Limited, 229 Ikorodu Rd., Ilupeju, Lagos – Olabode Idowu, 08026822855

Febmex Tutorial And Computer Academy Iyana Ejigbo, No. 63 Egbe Road By Powerline Bus Stop, Iyana-Ejigbo, Ejigbo, Lagos State – Mrs Blessing Ogechi Nkwoha, 07034899625  Fed. Coll Of Educ., (tech), St. Finbarr’s College Rd, Akoka – Lawal Sadiq Ishola, 08023404155 God’s Power International College, Oke-Aro, No. 10 Ajayi Crescent By Ajayi Busstop, Oke-Aro, Lagos State – Mrs. Tina Ekpe, 08023228567 Island Computer College, Aja, Xyz Plaza, Ajah Roundabout, Ajah, Lagos State – Okon Michael, 07031110617

JAMB National Headquaters Anex Ikoyi, Lagos Lagos – Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Okorie, 08033051253. Lakemead Enterprise Ikeja, Idm Place 9, Oba Akran Avenue, Beside Tower Aluminum And Zenith Bank, Ikeja, Lagos State – Mrs. O.A. Akinleye, 07055441646.Mti College, No 8, Onasanya Street, Off Ishaga Road, Surulere, Surulere, Lagos State – Taiwo Oyekola Oyerinde, 08052027678.

New Ocean Comprehensive High School, 70/72, Alaja Road, Megida, Ayobo, Lagos State – Mr. Olaniyi Olawale, 08102496459 Prime Innovation Institute Of Technology,Plot 13, Ogombo St, Off Alfa Bus Stop,Sangotedo, Lekki-epe Exp Way,Lagos Lagos – Ayeni Ayotade, 08038340836 The Certified Institute Of Shipping Magbon, Bustop, Long Badagry Expressway, Lagos – Rev. Dr. Alex Okwunashi, 08033733237 Top Ville College, Ikorodu, Ikorodu, Lagos State Lagos – Mr. Oladimeji Abdul, 08023436876.

Universal White Hall College, Agege, 32/34 Daddy Salvage Street, Fagba Bustop, Iju Road, Ifako Ijaiye, Agege, Lagos State – Mrs Temilola Adeliyi, 08184113001. University Of Lagos (Computer Centre), Akoka – Professor Ike Mowete, 08134498678. Westmidland Communication Limited (etc Centre), 1, Oba Akran, Ikeja, Lagos – Bayo Akande, 08057020667. Yaba College Of Technology, Yaba Yaba – Dr. Ayannuga Olanrewaju Olalekan, 08037180095.