Residents of Taraba, on Tuesday, said the continued stay of Mr Joseph Joshua as Commissioner for Youth and Sport without being suspended by Governor Agbu Kefas to face justice over the alleged Cotonou fake degree certificate would thwart the quality education move of the government.
Our correspondent reports that the residents have in January 2024, appealed to Governor Kefas to suspend the commissioner to maintain his government reputation.
Nigerian Tribune reports that one Sulaiman Adamu of Jalingo local government had on January 15, 2024, petitioned the state Commissioner for Youth and Sport before the Director, Department of State Security Services (DSS), Taraba State Command to investigate the Bachelor of Science (BSc), in Information Technology with Second Class (Upper Division) obtained by Joseph Joshua from the University of Benin Republic in 2021.
Tribune also reports that Joshua had during the commissioner nominee screening in Jalingo, presented before the Taraba State House of Assembly, a BSc certificate obtained from Benin Republic in 2021.
Mr. Adamu is asserting in the petition that the Commissioner never traveled to Benin Republic for studies and as such, be sacked as Commissioner in the state.
Following the development, residents of the state are envisaging that the continued silence of Governor Agbu Kefas over the issue will thwart the quality education move of the administration since many citizens would no longer be conscious of forgery.
“The continued silence of Governor Agbu Kefas over the alleged fake Cotonou degree certificate of his Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Mr Joseph Joshua is an encouragement of more fake graduates. The development would attract fake graduates even in the community University (Taraba State University Jalingo), and other institutions in the state.
Mr. Joshua Panunga, Ayuba Kirim, and Buba Alhassan expressed that the quality education move of Governor Kefas would no longer be taken seriously at every quarter and citizen since he has an alleged fake certificate holder as Commissioner without being allowed to be investigated.
“We want Governor Kefas to suspend the commissioner to face justice. Allowing the commissioner to continue serving in the position is a clear encouragement of more forgery among citizens in the state. No one will feel that forgery is a crime, especially in Taraba. Everyone will believe that even with a fake certificate, you can be placed in any top government position in the state.
“Our major concern now is the current preach and move for quality education in Taraba by the government. How can citizens and other Nigerians be convinced that the governor is not an advocate of fake certificates when he is silent over a fake degree certificate petition against his commissioner?
“We wish to appeal to the governor to suspend his commissioner for Youth and Sport and allow the security to carry out investigation in the petition against him. We are not against the commissioner but the continued silence of the governor over the matter and allowing the commissioner in the office without proving to the public that he genuinely attended the university and obtained the certificate as claimed would lower the morale of citizens over the quality education campaign of the administration.
“Governor Kefas has been talking about ensuring sanity in his government but we are surprise that he is keeping silence about his commissioner’s fake certificate allegation. We are happy with the governor’s stands to ensure that every citizen acquires free basic and quality education. However, it would be discouraging if any of his appointee is alleged having a fake certificate and the governor is insensitive about it,” the residents envisaged.
Meanwhile, Mr Joseph Joshua, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sport, when contacted said, the law should perform its duty.
Reacting to the residents’ feelings, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, Special Adviser to Governor Kefas on media and digital communication, expressed that Governor Kefas was serious about quality and free education, and there is nothing to thwart the effort of the governor in developing Taraba state.
“One thing that Governor Kefas would not compromise is the development of Taraba. Just as education is key in his agenda, I want to assure you that nothing of any kind would thwart the governor’s quality education drive for Taraba,” Bello reacted.