, may I state in clear terms that I am not a politician and I do not intend to play politics with this; If you have conscience, please beg the Governor and the concerned authorities to do something about this disgraceful report. You can ignore the messenger, but heed the message.However, much as I am still contesting the criteria for the “RSSDA and RSSB” Scholarships as being sectional, may I aver that it is shameful for the Rivers State Government to send Rivers Students abroad (especially, the United Kingdom) and abandon/neglect them. As we speak their Universities due to non-payment of tuition, accommodation/hostel, send Rivers State Students under the RSSDA packing and they cannot feed (no stipends/upkeep). Some would be deported back to Nigeria this weekend and next week respectively not because they have failed their modules, but because the Government have neglected them. They will be sent back because the State Government is unresponsive and insensitive to their plights. Painfully, I have taken my time to contact the appropriate authorities in the past days/weeks. I have sent several “SOS” messages to the State Government and no reply yet. I have been in touch with the concerned authorities and some of their vendors here (the UK) and in Nigeria; the story is the same, “NO MONEY”.

Must Read: Latest 2014/2015 News About the RSSDA ScholarshipNow my people, is it proper to send Rivers State Students abroad and neglect them in the guise of “NO MONEY’ even under this administration that is good at borrowing? Does it really hold water to listen to Government Officials that; there is “NO MONEY” in the State to offset the bills of these poor, innocent and helpless Students? Anyway, it may interest you to know that; some of the Students under the RSSB are even being short-changed by their liaison officer here whenever the State Government remembers to pay them. Last year, I smuggled myself to confront the Governor on these issues at CHATHAM HOUSE and DANIBIUS HOTEL in London, but Achi-Godwin pleaded and subtly barred me from letting the Governor know this by distorting the argument. My people, I have nothing against Governor Amaechi but I have everything against most of the sycophants around him. They are responsible for the monstrous governance model in Rivers State; the sycophants around him are desecrating his good report.Be that as it may, you may ignore this message because none of the said RSSDA or RSSB Students is related to you. Please, living in the UK without rent, School fees and feeding money (stipends/upkeep) for more than six months is unacceptable. I develop pink disease when I see Rivers State Students under the RSSDA and RSSB move from one point to the next begging for food, where to sleep (because they’re being thrown out of their hostels) etc. This is not good for our State, I am not happy. I am tired of always lending ten pounds, twenty pounds, fifty pounds etc to RSSDA and RSSB Students, Haba!, me sef need money na.

Please I don’t want to mention names here. In fact, some have asked what my gross and grouse is? Well, I have no personal interest (believe me if you like). Thing is, back in Nigeria I have been a Students leader (I was one time NURSS this and NURSS that) and here in the UK I have been one time Nigerian Students President too. So, it behoves me to care about the affairs of Young people and Students, especially, Students from my primary Constituency (Rivers State). I reiterate, I have nothing personal, I am begging the Rivers State Government to respond swiftly to this. I have my facts. Save the Souls of your Students, yes, save their Souls.

MY SIMPLE SOLUTION TO SAVE THE SITUATION

1. Having worked with Students and some Universities here in the UK as a former Nigerian Students President, I can categorically tell that; if the State Government can agree to write to these Universities directly via the State Commissioner of Education that they will offset the bills, it will give respite instead of allowing “vendors” do that on their behalf. Most Universities here respect Government letterheads and stamps than nicely worded essays from vendors. Please, act fast and save the Souls of your Children.

2. Look for where to borrow and send the Students for their accommodation and feeding money respectively, please don’t make them steal or be involved in prostitution. Remember, prostitution is “halal” here. Our beautiful sisters may choose this path just to survive; likewise, our brothers may start doing drugs or get involved in other vices.

Finally, it is quite unfortunate that this is coming at a time when the visionless brawl between the APC and PDP in the State is heightened as result of greed and mad quest for power. No doubt, I am being misconstrued as an opposition or hater of Governor Amaechi. Please, I am begging the State Government to “ignore” the messenger but heed the message, act fast and save your delegates and Rivers State from this shameful embarrassment. I am not working for the PDP or APC, I am for justice, just help my Brothers and Sisters. After all, you decided to award them the Scholarships. Truth is, I will not accept that sickening line of “There is NO MONEY” in the State, where the money go na? I reiterate, neither my family nor me is a beneficiary of any of your Scholarships, but I cannot swallow the sufferings of these innocent Rivers Students. It is disgraceful, painful and inhumane. Please, ignore where I may not have been polite, just help these Children and forget my waffling. Please, borrow again to save the situation.

Thank you in anticipation.

Maobuye Nangi Obu
29/08/2014.

“MNO writes on behalf of the suffering Rivers State Students (RSSDA and RSSB) in the United Kingdom”.

Culled From: https://m.facebook.com/groups/222723211073100?view=permalink&id=854285447916870&_rdr#854309674581114