BAYELSA
STATE SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS ABANDONED
Dear
Sir/Ma,
We
are writing on behalf of the abandoned and dejected Nigerian Students from
Bayelsa state studying in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world;
under the sponsorship of the Present administration and Bayelsa State
Scholarship Board (BSSB). It would be recalled that following the outcry on the
5th of August 2014, students sponsored by this scheme protested all
over the world of non-payment of their school fees and stipends and how they
are suffering in foreign countries where some of them do not have the right to
work. Some who tried working were arrested; the sons and daughters of Bayelsa
state who are meant to be studying abroad were begging for food and shelter to
survive. On the 3rd of October 2014, the Bayelsa State Government
came to their aid and paid 1yr tuition fees and 5months living allowances(some
were paid less) due to the public attention it gathered. Since October 2014,
majority of the Bayelsa scholars sponsored by this scheme (BSSB) have not
received their Living expenses and Tuition fees.
Before
2012, the scholarship scheme included tuition fees, accommodation fees, upkeep allowances
(a.k.a., stipends), books, and health and winter allowances. But on resumption
of the former chairman of the Bayelsa state scholarship board, Hon Foster Ogola
(Now Senator Foster Ogola) in 2012, these allowances were scrapped out leaving only
the stipend and tuition fees for scholars. Since then, the Governor has not
looked into the board issues. The first excuse given was; the delay was as a
result of the on-going presidential elections. Secondly, the board said the
delay was due to the dwindling oil prices.This obviously has created immense hardship
for We the Bayelsa state sponsored scholars in diaspora. As a result, our studies negatively affected due
to the emotional and psychological trauma that comes alongside with threats
from our various Universities. In fact, many of our students are struggling to
make the average grades, some have failed different modules and will probably
not graduate on time, because they are forced to pick up menial jobs to survive
and will spend more time to resit the exams.
This
situation has degenerated to a point where some schools had to offer food bank
vouchers in order to assist many of us. In addition, scholars are faced with
the challenge of constant pressure from landlords and bills ranging from gas to
electricity. Students now live in despicable conditions. One cannot really put in word the effect this
has contributed to our health and studies. At this moment, many students are
been chased out of the universities, while others are threatened that they
might not be getting their certificate after years of hard work, because of
non-payment of school fees. Frankly speaking, it is very difficult for We
students that signed a scholarship contract with the government.On countless
occasions, messages have been sent to the Bayelsa state scholarship board,
through letters, calls and even through the Nigerian High Commission UK, all
ends with little or no response. In fact, all effort to get the attention of
the Bayelsa State Governor - Dickson has been fruitless, and when students
decide to take the initiative, they get all manner of harassment from officials
of the scholarship board.
Currently,
schools in the UK and other parts of the world have resumed for a fresh
academic session. Unfortunately, Bayelsa state scholars may not be issues study
visa in various institutions of higher learning because of the callous delay in
the payment of their tuition fees and in-training allowances, in addition to
their present refugee status. Consenquently, this might affect successful students
who just concluded foundation programmes
in the UK and might be denied entry study Visas by the UK embassy because of
the yet to be resolved challenges experienced by their predecessors. All the
relevant authorities in the state are aware of this development but they’ve all
paid deaf ears while we suffer unjustly, no one seems to bat an eyelid. Sadly,
we Bayelsa scholars under the Bayelsa State Scholarship are proud Nigerians,
and we represent our country with pride when called upon, but the faith we have
in our government, Bayelsa state to be precise is dying by the day. This act of
abandonment is not only cruel but inhumane. So we are calling on you to please
come to our aid due to the limited time and the stiff challenges we are
currently experiencing with our studies. Our education, our health, our
patriotism are all being threatened. We merited this scholarship and definitely
do not deserve to be treated like slaves in a foreign land where we have no one
to turn to.
Finally,
all we are asking is to get our voices heard so the concern authorities will
act promptly in saving us from this constant humiliation.
Thank
You for your support and assistance with our plight…
God
bless Bayelsa state, God bless the Federal republic of Nigeria.
Signed,
Bayelsa State Scholarship students.
