Govt has neglected us, Kano students in Cyprus cry out

Students from Kano state, who are currently on scholarship for postgraduate (PG) studies in Cyprus, are crying out for help.

The students claim that they have been sidetracked by the government and left to fend for themselves.

Calling for public intervention, the students said their education is being threatened.

“Foremost, our predicament began right from Kano where we were persuaded or rightly put hoodwinked to buy flight tickets by ourselves with a promise of refunding by the government. It is about ten months since we left Kano state for Cyprus; and yet we have yet to receive the refund of our flight tickets,” the statement read.

“We had to persevere till December before we would receive our upkeep allowance. The allowance was never backdated to September or October but started reading from 16th December, 2015; and it was for a period of three months.

“We celebrated when we heard that the Kano state government had approved a certain amount of money for disbursement to its sponsored students studying in six countries for the settlement of their upkeep allowances, fees among others.

“But the breakdown of the scholarship published on July 23rd in a newspaper showed that only 50 undergraduate students from Cyprus were covered.”

The students further pleaded with officials to ensure equity for all students.

“We beseech officials to ensure equity for everyone and not just their children. Because by the time we start to expose them, I am not sure what magnitude of crisis management will resuscitate their battered image and career.

“We entreat all officials in whom the responsibility is vested to ensure that we receive our upkeep allowance about the same time every eligible student receives his/hers, so that we can also feel a sense of belonging and continue our academic activities without let or hindrance.”