JAMB registrar, others win Fawehinmi awards

The registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Prof. Is-haq Oloyede has been honoured with the Outstanding Integrity award of the maiden edition of the Gani Fawehinmi Impact and Integrity Award.

The event which took place in Lagos, equally honoured the Presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore with the Valuable Whistle Blower award and Mr. Adesegun Adesanya with the Outstanding Impact award.
The chairman of the occasion, Mr. Adeyinka Olumide (SAN) said the awardees were recognised for their integrity and commitment to have a better society.

He said the country was a difficult terrain to fight against corruption and other injustices, adding that the country still have Nigerians who stand tall despite the deficit. “This has become a burden on all of to find out why we are in the position we found ourselves. If the country must avert corruption, there must be good governance.

“The fight against corruption is everywhere but little has been seen whether we are really serious in the fight against the malaise. This is a country where you hardly find anybody holding public office without being corrupted.”
He explained that Oloyede was honoured because of his accountability at JAMB, noting that the example he set had never happened in the institution.
“What he did by returning the excess money made by JAMB to the government is uncommon. That is challenge for other public office holders.

“Again, since JAMB is not a profit making organisation what the body should do is to reduce the fees for the purchase of forms. Doing so will benefit lots of Nigerians.”
He further said that Sowore had distinguished give himself though his online publication Sahara Reporters.
According to him, the medium engages in investigative journalism which had exposed rots in high places.

Olumide added that Adesanya’s efforts had kick started the ongoing reform in the police, stressing that his exposure of the human rights abuse by the force is getting the desired attention.
The organiser and chairman of Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Mr. Olanrewaju Suraj said level in justice and corruption in the country were embarrassing. “These were what Fawehinmi stood against during his life time. This award is to encourage Nigerians who still hold their heads high. It will be a yearly event and those who merit it cannot be faulted,” he added. SaharaReporters