Zamfara indigenous students in Cyprus fell in quandary

From Ibrahim Kaulahi, Gusau

Zamfara State indigenous students studying in Cyprus have been thrown into conundrum following alleged negligence of the State Government to settle their backlogs of their school fees and accommodations in their host University.

Responding to our Correspondent, Leader of Zamfara indigenous students in Cyprus, Isa Abdulwahab, said the unsettled backlogs especially on registration, accommodation and feeding fees had compelled the students to take refuge at various public places including Mosques.

Narrating the current situation being facing on behalf of the trapped students, Abdulwahab said they live a very difficult life as they are forced to scout for ways to eat for survival without minding an amount of embarrassment the natives inflicted on them.

“We are really suffering to the extent we may soon be pushed to become unprincipled by the wicked situation we found ourselves in, it is almost overdue for us to abandon the promise been taken since our departure, that we would be good ambassadors of Zamfara State and Nigeria as a nation, we have no accommodation, no food and integrity in the eyes of the natives.

“Life is too expensive in Cyprus both socially and economically especially as our Residence Permits had since been expired, for this reason therefore, we are not entitled to any of the services rendered by the host country.

“Some of us are suffering illnesses that even deserved operative treatments but could not go to hospital for having their Residence Permits expired, the law of the Cyprus says “Any outlander found without valid Residence Permit shall be sent to prison outrightly.

“Zamfara State delegates had visited us sometimes in August given us impression that all the obstacles hindered our humanity and the studies would be solved within just two weeks, this is three months now without a word that would cushion our fears.

In a swift reaction, Spokesperson of the Zamfara State Governor, Suleiman Bala Idris, said despite serious problems uncovered regarding the faulty foundation created when students were sent to Cyprus and other countries, the state government has been pursuing all official channels to resolve the issue, but the school management is blocking the efforts.

Bala Idris further revealed that, “On November 12, 2023, the state government paid the university N84.7 million. Two days later, on November 14, 2023, another N30.9 million was transferred to the school.

“Cyprus International University has consistently rejected the state government’s request to send a delegation to discuss the ongoing issues concerning our scholarship students. As a result, the state government had to reach out to the Nigerian Foreign Mission in Turkey for assistance.

“In May 2024, following significant pressure from the Nigerian Foreign Mission in Turkey, the school management informed the state government that they were prepared to receive a delegation at the university in Cyprus, contingent upon the transfer of funds to demonstrate commitment. Consequently, on June 4, 2024, the state government transferred N100 million as requested by the university.

“In light of this, Governor Dauda Lawal formed a three-member delegation for a trip to Cyprus International University. The delegation includes Mallam Wadatau Madawaki, the Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology; Bello Mohammed Auta, the Commissioner of Finance; and Barau Muazu, the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Finance and Economic Matters.

“The delegation was saddled with the responsibility to establish the actual amount Zamfara State owes the university in respect of the 93 Students sent on scholarship since 2019; to screen all the Zamfara State students in the university in person to ascertain their actual number; to verify the students’ various and individual courses with the view to evaluating performance and confirm the year of graduation of each student.

“Other responsibilities include finding out and evaluating the conditions under which studies are being carried out, the situation of the hostels, feeding and other learning tools and infrastructure provided, and devising mutually agreed-upon terms and conditions through which the established outstanding and future liabilities would be settled.

“Before leaving Nigeria, the delegation reached out to the Nigerian Foreign Mission in Turkey, a reason why two officials of the Embassy joined the delegation to Cyprus on August 14, 2024, to complete the above assignment. On August 15, they met the students and the university’s management, setting the ball rolling”, the Zamfara Governor’s Spokesperson has explained.