Dr. Ibe Kachikwu Releases Personal Statement About First Class Certificate Scandal

Dr. Ibe Kachikwu Releases Personal Statement About First Class Certificate Scandal

Minister of state for Petroleum Services Dr. Ibe Kachikwu is enmeshed in a certificate scandal.

Earlier today, it was revealed according to an investigative report by Premium Times and DUBAWA, that Kachikwu’s claim “that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with first class honors is false,” as his alleged certificate says differently.

During the 17th anniversary celebrations of the Commonwealth Of Zion Assembly (COZA) held at the church headquarters in Abuja two years ago, the Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, was among dignitaries who addressed the congregation.

In a seven minutes 24 seconds video published on YouTube on February 17, 2016 by COZA GLOBAL, Mr Kachikwu, dressed, in a navy blue ‘senator attire’, said: “The heat in this place can either make you or burn you, this is a hot zone. Congrats COZA!”

“It is amazing the sort of revolution that takes place outside the civil service; public service; and the outer space.

“A lot of revolution goes on in houses like this and sometimes all of us who are in government need to find time to come out and spend time with you and get encouraged by the burst of energy that you see…”

While speaking on fate and destiny, Mr Kachikwu took the congregation on a journey of his life, highlighting his educational achievements.

The former ExxonMobil vice chairman said he graduated from the Nigerian Law School with a First Class honours. He also said he emerged “best student” at Harvard University, where he did his master’s degree with specialisation on Energy and Petroleum Law and Investment.

Mr Kachikwu claimed his record at Harvard, one of the best institutions in the world, remained unbroken.

“…I made a first class in the law school and then, getting to Harvard – my feeling, as soon as I got into Harvard was – this is a very unique institution, the biggest in the world and basically you must have a 2.1 or first class from your primary institution before they can accept you…

“…At the end of our master’s programme, I was the best student; got a Harvard scholarship and I went to do my doctorate and for it; I set what is still a record in Harvard of completing a doctorate in one and half years.”

Now he has come forward to release a personal statement and respond to the allegations of lying about making a first class.

See his series of tweets below.

Earlier today my attention was drawn to a publication on @PremiumTimesng with the title “FACT-CHECK: Document shows Kachikwu lied about graduating with First Class in Law”. In the next series of tweets I would be giving my personal statement on the issue for the sake of clarity.. pic.twitter.com/QH2Gd85AMQ

— EIK (@IbeKachikwu) October 11, 2018

In the publication the writer alleged that I, Dr. @IbeKachikwu misrepresented information about obtaining a First Class Degree from the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka, citing a presentation made at @cozaglobal Abuja. I would like to categorically state the following;

— EIK (@IbeKachikwu) October 11, 2018

My official CV and resume is in the public domain and has been submitted to various levels of Government and Parastatals. Also the document clearly states that I obtained a “Second Class Honours (Upper Division) degree” from the Faculty of Law at the University of Nigeria Nsukka

— EIK (@IbeKachikwu) October 11, 2018

In addition, no First Class Honours were awarded by University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in 1978. However, I was on the list for best graduands with Second Class Upper Honours for that year. At no time have I misled the Nigerian public or my colleagues in believing otherwise.

— EIK (@IbeKachikwu) October 11, 2018

2. On the presentation I made at @cozaglobal cited by @PremiumTimesng, the substance of the assertions was to the effect that I had a first class performance in school and was emphasizing on the need for hard work amongst youths to get them to the top of their game.

— EIK (@IbeKachikwu) October 11, 2018

https://t.co/ZT9mh6pFlH give credence to the statements made during that presentation, I was the best graduating student in the Nigerian Law School in the year 1979 (the first in class) with multiple prizes (winning 5 out of all 7 prizes given).

— EIK (@IbeKachikwu) October 11, 2018

In 1979, the Nigerian Law School had not begun a process of classifying its certificates. That begun many years later. However best graduands have subsequently now been classified in the First Class category by the Law School.

— EIK (@IbeKachikwu) October 11, 2018

My results in Harvard University, which is captured in my CV correctly states that I was a Distinction graduate for the Master’s degree programme (First in Class) at Harvard University and I went on to obtain my SJD in a record time of one and a half years.

— EIK (@IbeKachikwu) October 11, 2018

4. I have worked at the highest level of the Oil and Gas industry globally for over 3 decades and indeed lectured at respectable global institutions like University of Ife, Nigerian Law School and Harvard Law School.

— EIK (@IbeKachikwu) October 11, 2018

5. Since my appointment three years ago, first as GMD of @NNPCgroup, then as GMD/ Honourable Minister of State (HMSPR), and now as HMSPR of @FMPRng, I have championed the change agenda in the Petroleum sector and changed the narrative on performance in the sector.

— EIK (@IbeKachikwu) October 11, 2018

Finally, I have also taken the liberty to attach my CV that shows all my awards and accomplishments for the sake of posterity.
It can be found on the link below: https://t.co/1FfBjiBPoo

Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

EIK

— EIK (@IbeKachikwu) October 11, 2018