By ERICJAMES OCHIGBO

A Joint Committee of the House of Representatives investigating alleged certificate racketeering in tertiary institutions has urged the Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission and other relevant agencies to intensify efforts to curb the menace in the country.

The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa State) made the call on Wednesday in Abuja in a meeting with just appointed Executive Secretary of the Nigerian University Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullah Ribadu.

The lawmaker who represents Birniwa/Guri/Kiri-Kasamma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said that the house was determined to end the menace.

He said that the members of the joint committee were drawn from committees on University Education; Interior, Foreign Affairs, Youth and Sports Development as well as Federal Polytechnics and Federal Colleges of Education.

The rep said that the joint committee will soon organised a public investigative hearing saying that the meeting with the NUC was part of preparation for the hearing.

According to him, the investigation was sequel to the house?s resolution mandating the joint committee to investigate the matter and report back for further legislative actions.

Fulata explained that the resolution followed a motion calling for the probe of an allegation by journalist who went as an undercover to obtain a degree certificate within six months from a university in Benin Republic and got enrolled for NYSC service in Nigeria.

?The joint committee has sent letters to different organisations requesting for their submissions ahead of the hearing.

?Some of the organisations include Ministry of Education, NUC, Committee of Vice Chancellors, Federal Ministry of Higher and Scientific Education, Republic of Benin (Ambassade De La Republique Du Benin), Abuja.

?Others are the National Youth Service Corps, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Immigration Service, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, Ministry of Interior, all public and private universities in Nigeria among others,? he said.

Fulata said that serious action must be taken in order to stop the menace of certificate racketeering in the country.

Speaking, Ribadu said that he had just been appointed and that the commission under his leadership will work towards quality education.

Ribadu said that the establishment of several public and private universities in Nigeria was to ensure access to education.

The executive secretary said that access to quality education cannot be compromise if Nigeria must attain set goals. (NAN)

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