*Says Governor Uba Sani working to ensure welfare of scholars sponsored to study abroad
By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board (KADSSLB), has disowned one Kamilu Nura, who claims to be a beneficiary of the boards scholarship.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary,
Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board (KADSSLB), Prof. Yahya Saleh Ibrahim, made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday July 22, 2024.
The board was reacting to an article written by Nura, published online on July 17, 2024, which KADSSLB described as falsehood, which should be disregarded by the general public.
“Reference to an article published by an online news platform ‘ FLASHPOINT’ titled – Education Crisis in Kaduna, Broken promises, Shattered Dreams. As Governor Uba Sani Neglected and Forgotten 45 UK-Based Scholars Struggle for Survival. Published on July 16, 2024, by Kamilu Nura.
“It has become imperative to dispel all accompanying misinformation contained in the article. While we regret to say writing an article of this nature without cross checking facts and presenting balance reportage is amounting to the juxtaposition of reality, it also shows the crisis associated with present-day journalism,” it clarified.
KADSSLB said that the outstanding payment for foreign scholars inherited by the present administration to the best of its knowledge are 28 and not 45 as mentioned in the article.
“The other 18 scholars graduated from Islamic University In Uganda (IUIU) and Kampala International University (KIU), which the state has already dealt with their issue since November 2023,” it pointed out.
The statement titled, “RE: EDUCATION CRISIS IN KADUNA, BROKEN PROMISES SHATTERED DREAMS. AS GOVERNOR UBA SANI NEGLECTED AND FORGOTTEN 45 UK-BASED SCHOLARS STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL” noted that the Kaduna State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Mal. Uba Sani has been working assiduously to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of the scholars sponsored to study abroad.
“Ethics in journalism and journalists is the bedrock for a free and fair society, which we hope the writer will henceforth uphold and respect.
“However, it is important to acknowledge the realities on the ground in relation to the current FX crises experienced in the globe and this is not peculiar to only Kaduna state and the Nigerian economy as a whole.
“The continued rise in FX rates, change in the CBN regulations on international payments, and the overall difficulty in accessing FX, contributes in making things difficult for the government and scholars alike,” it added.
The statement said that the writer claimed that the scholars feel abandoned by the state government, however, assuring that he KADSSLB is fully aware and in contact with the scholars and updating them on the efforts being taken to solve their issues through some of their representatives.
“Please recall that the state government swung into action, and His Excellency directed KADSSLB to immediately bring back our scholar Shamsuddin Abdullahi from the United Kingdom UK to forestall any negative action taken by the UK immigration to disrupt his studies.
“The case of Aliyu Bunyameen Muhammad (M.Sc Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management, Loughborough University, UK 2020/2021) and that of Sada Usman Naiya (M.Sc Robotics, University of Birmingham, UK 2020/2021) on the payment of their outstanding fees will soon be completed with an installment payment which started last month after an agreement with their institutions.
“Hauwa Bashir Liman, a scholar studying Medicine (MBBS) in University of Debrecen, Hungary 2020/2021, had a challenge with school fees, though an inherited challenge was resolved immediately, and she is in school and is doing well.
“The nine medical students in Cuba are doing well, and six of them are billed to graduate in July/August, 2024. Though an inherited problem, His Excellency together with the Cuban Ambassador met in May, 2024 and have since agreed on the modalities to resolve the issues by signing an addendum to the earlier MoU signed between Kaduna State and Cuban government. Therefore, the government awaits the Ambassador to comeback from her leave for their payment to be accomplished.
“This, therefore, makes the write-up by the “Flashpoint” as a “Splash Point” against a government that is dedicatedly serving the electorate better,” it stressed.
The board added that the writer also claims that the state of human capital development is at risk.
“This claim is without substantiation therefore, not correct. The scholars that successfully completed their studies and returned back to the state were posted to various MDA’s in fulfillment of their signed bond agreement to give back to the state for two years.
“Among these scholars are:
Amina Sani Bello, currently an S.S.A. to His Excellency.
“Daniel Musa, also served as Special Assistant in Government House Tambaya Iko, served diligently at Ministry of Education, Abubakar Sadiq Abdullahi, served at KAPSCO and monitored the implementation of the ‘Solar for All’ project, Aliyu Bunyameen Muhammad is presently serving at State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
“The other sets of medical students from KIU are recently posted to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital (BDTH), State Primary Healthcare Board and other hospitals in the state to serve their bond.
“This is in addition to the 14 nurses from IUIU posted to BDTH, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and other public health centers to serve their bond.
“All of these sets of students inclusive of Saminu Ismail (a person with disability scholar) are presently contributing their quota towards improving the human capital of the state.
“We are surprised to note that the report did not cover the challenges the government is facing with some of these scholars who choose to violate their signed bond agreements and remain in the UK and other countries,” the statement said.
It warned that this action undermines the efforts of the state government and may lead to the denial of the opportunity to other prospective scholars.
“This should rather be the focus and direction of the writer in order to present a balanced reportage. While the government supports positive criticism a balance reportage make journalism and journalists a building block for a responsive and responsible society.
In addition, the writer of the article, Kamilu Nura claims to be the leader of the students.
“Our records at KADSSLB does not have any name of this nature as beneficiary or applicant. However, false propagandists often hide behind the anonymity of social media to perpetrate mischief. The public is advised and warned against these detractors,” it urged.
