The President of the National Association Of Nigerian Students (NANS), Republic of Turkey zone has appealed to the Zamfara State government to heed the calls of some students from the state studying in various institutions in North Cyprus.
The zone, in a statement made available to Daily Independent and signed by its President, Comrade Opeoluwa Seun Ojekemi explained that the students numbering 90, that stand the risk of being thrown out of schools and repatriated, were on scholarships sponsored by the Zamfara State government in a high profile institution in North Cyprus.
The statement read in parts: “A group of determined and promising Nigerian students sent abroad to a prestigious university in North Cyprus by the Zamfara State government to pursue their education and become future leaders, now find themselves in dire straits”… due to inability of the sponsors to pay their educational bills.
“The students, who have been working tirelessly to excel in their studies, now face the threat of being sent back home by the overseas educational institution due to mounting unpaid fees….”
The union, in the statement, appealed to the Zamfara State Government to come to the aid of the helpless students that are hostage by circumstances beyond their control.
“The government’s inability to meet its financial obligations is jeopardizing not only their academic pursuits but also their dreams of making a positive impact and becoming excellent individuals.
“The situation has escalated to a critical point where the educational institution in North Cyprus have issued stern warnings, giving the affected students a limited window to settle their outstanding fees. Without immediate action from the government, these promising minds could be forced to abandon their studies and return home.. ”
We embarked on this journey with great hope and the belief that our government supports our educational aspirations,” expressed one of the affected students. “Now, we are left in despair, uncertain of our future and the prospects of completing our degrees. It is an injustice that our dreams are being crushed by bureaucratic inaction.”
The union added, “The government must honor its commitment and swiftly provide the necessary funds to cover the outstanding fees, ensuring that these students can continue their education without further interruption.
“Delay in action will only exacerbate the situation, robbing the nation of its potential leaders, researchers, and innovators. The Zamfara State Governor must take immediate action to safeguard the future of these students and protect the nation’s investment in their education, as this is part of his promises to the good people of Zamfara State, ” the student body added.
It appealed to concerned Nigerians, civil and society groups to prevail on the government to meet the yearnings of the students in North Cyprus.
However, efforts to reach the office of the Zamfara State government for a situation report proved abortive.
