Stranded students appeal to Tinubu to overturn the ban on Benin Republic university certificates, seeking urgent resolution for their academic future.
President Bola Tinubu has received an appeal from a widow who is visually impaired, along with over 600 students and their parents at ESM University in Benin Republic. They are requesting for the ban on the school’s certificate in Nigeria to be lifted.
On Friday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the students who are scholarship recipients of a faith-based organization called “Omega Power Ministries” and their parents were distraught. They cried to Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere – the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries and their benefactor- expressing that they have been agonized by the ban imposed upon them.
With tears in their eyes, the students and parents expressed shock upon receiving news of the Federal Government’s decision on ESM University located in Benin Republic.
The undergraduates viewed their premature removal from school, especially after their benefactor had already invested heavily in their education and while they were making strides academically, as a potential threat to their future prospects.
In a statement to journalists, Mrs. Josephine Hycienth, a widowed mother of visually impaired children and one of the concerned parents expressed her gratitude for the scholarship that enabled her son’s enrollment at Benin Republic University. She also lamented about the difficulties she had been facing since the death of her husband.
“After my husband’s death, nobody seems to care about us. I urge President Bola Tinubu to assist us and ensure that our education is not disrupted.”
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“I require the President’s assistance because if my son returns home, he will not receive any educational support.”
In his statement, Moses Nicodemus- a 200-Level Computer Science student of the university- mentioned that he is currently progressing to the 300 level. He disclosed that upon returning to Nigeria for his Industrial Training program, he was informed about his school’s lack of accreditation.
He stated, “For this reason, we are urging our President to assist us. The cleric has invested a considerable amount of money into our education and now we require assistance. We have exerted ourselves in order to attain good grades and obtain certificates.”
Chinyere revealed that he had gone to the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja himself to verify ESM University’s credibility before sending students there. He received a positive confirmation from them.
He expressed his disappointment with the situation and urged Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the President, to intervene. He emphasized that abruptly halting students’ education posed a significant risk.
According to Chinyere, he has made significant investments towards enhancing the academic development of students. He stressed that these funds were sourced from church offerings and tithes which he pledged to utilize for capacity building initiatives as well as supporting disadvantaged individuals.
He confirmed, “I ensured that ESM was accredited by personally visiting the Ministry of Education in Abuja before starting this scholarship program. Additionally, I made sure to verify if the graduates from the institution would qualify for participation in NYSC programs within Nigeria.” These checks were conducted and approved positively prior to payment being initiated towards tuition fees. Assured by these findings, he sent students on scholarships to study at Benin Republic’s school affiliated with ESM.
“I currently have numerous students in Nigeria who are on scholarships, thus why should one send pupils to Benin or anywhere else for studies? The primary concern is that the government has made it extremely arduous and challenging for learners due to their education system and policies. People come seek my assistance regularly soliciting funding opportunities such as less privileged individuals, widows, orphans etc., with over 4k scholars presently enrolled. My focus isn’t solely based only upon those graduates.”
In the Benin Republic, I have spent over N500m solely from donations and tithes received by our church. This amount does not include contributions made in other locations. Do we really want to squander this money and start anew? Instead of adding additional burdens, there are methods for supporting students by enhancing existing policies.
“President Bola Tinubu, I appeal to your fatherly nature. Consider the parents and children affected by this policy and please reverse it. Allow these students to resume their education.”
It is expected that they will return to school in September. Starting anew with financial support for them is not an option as these funds are designated for aiding individuals through offerings and tithes.
