Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has cried out against the hardship experienced by Nigerian students in the UK.
According to her, a situation where Nigerian Students have become beggars on the streets of UK has become worrisome and embarrassing.
Speaking further, Dabiri-Erewa added that the Niger Delta Development Commission is to blame for the sad situation. This is because of its inability to pay the tuition and allowances of the students in its scholarship scheme.
She made the statement available to newsmen yesterday, 28th July through the NIDCOM spokesperson, Gabriel Odu. The statement called on the management of NDDC to act quickly and take Nigerian students off overseas streets where they have become beggers.
The statement further added that the scholarship funds be made available to the students to enable them continue their studies. It added that some of the fees had exceeded their deadlines while others are about to.
A post on the NIDCOM Twitter handle today sent the following appeal:
NIDCOM APPEALS TO NDDC TO PAY STRANDED STUDENTS ABROAD. Abuja, Tuesday July, 28th, 2020. The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa has once again appealed to the Authorities of the Niger Delta Development Commission..
To as a matter of urgency intervene by promptly paying the allowances, tuition and other incentives of students on their scholarship scheme ,to guarantee their stay and continue their education in the United Kingdom.
A statement issued in Abuja by Mr Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, NIDCOM, made reference to a letter written to the Hon Minister of the Niger Delta Sen. Godswill Akpabio, dated June 18, 2020.
NIDC/001/20/1 drawing attention to the plight of the students, and urging the NDDC who are directly responsible for the Students’ scholarships to pay. She added that the NiDCOM counts on the Minister’s assurances that all outstanding payments to affected Students will be made.
At the moment there have been persistent calls by the Students for urgent intervention. While deadline for payment of the fees of some of the students have expired or about to expire , non payment of their allowances have turned many of them to virtually become beggars.
The NIDCOM CHAIRMAN once again appeal to the Niger Delta Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to intervene urgently and promptly too. Signed, Gabriel Odu Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit NIDCOM Abuja.
A probe into the activities of the NDDC revealed how much of the money meant for Nigerian students in foreign countries has been misappropriated by the top echelon of the Ministry of Nigeria Delta Affairs Minister currently headed by Godswill Akpabio.
