GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has admonished alumni associations in the country to seek for legislation against academic corruption and examination malpractices at the state and federal legislatures.

 He said this would check the menace, otherwise called 'sorting', which he added had become worrisome to the educational advancement of the country.

The governor said this when the University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA) honoured him with a Distinguished Leadership Award at the 91st National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the body in Port Harcourt, on Friday.

Wike, represented by his deputy, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Banigo, said steps needed to be taken to curb the social malaise prevalent in state, federal and private universities in the country.

According to him, a situation where students influence lecturers to allocate scores for a specific amount and when they fail the particular course cannot enhance quality of education.

He regretted that the scenario had lured some male lectures to request female students to sort with their bodies, thereby increasing the many cases of sexual harassment and abuses on women in the university system.

He however, lauded UNN Alumni Association for its contribution to the growth and development of Rivers State and particularly for producing, among others, a former governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili, Justice Mary Odili, former Deputy Governor Gabriel Toby and Justice Iche Ndu, who had served the state in various capacities.

He also thanked the association for the choice of Port Harcourt for the 91st NEC meeting, noting that the choice would go a long way to counter what he said was the war of calumny and prove that Rivers State was indeed safe and hospitable.  

Speaking earlier, chairman of the occasion Honourable Tamunosisi Jaja, thanked the Local Organising Committee on the choice of the theme “Sorting: A Dead End for Standards in Tertiary Institutions”.

 He also admitted that the problem, if not properly handled, could lead to the destruction of future generation.

In his address, UNAA National President UNAA, Chief Andrew Oru said the association would ensure that UNN harnessed available opportunities.