For several years, thousands of Yobe state students studying at different higher institutions of learning in Nigeria have not been paid their scholarship allowances. The various calls made by the students individually and collectively seem to have fallen on deaf the ears of the Governor Mai Mala Buni administration.
This has certainly affected the well-being of the students in several ways unimaginable. The terrible economic situation in the country has dealt a big blow to even those in employment, not to talk of students who are predominantly sons of the poor. The sons of the elite and their cronies are studying in institutions where they do not need this allowance. Under no circumstances a reasonable government will be seen to have left its students in distress.
However, there is abundant evidence in the public domain for the outcry and calls by the people to have these allowances paid to alleviate the sufferings of the students. Governor Buni must be told to beware of the consequences of his actions in this way. He must be told the truth that the implication of his administration’s nonchalant attitude towards payments of student scholarships may lead to his ultimate downfall in a matter of weeks and not months from today.
There may be arguments as to who is to blame – the leadership of the Yobe State Scholarship Board Or Governor Buni? The answer is simple. Governor Buni is the custodian of Yobe state, therefore, he is to blame.
Governor Buni should have the guts to question the reason for the unpaid allowances. He must have the courage to bring the leadership of the board to question, if, indeed, it is the board’s fault. By remaining silent on the matter, it can be proved that Buni has other priorities than the development of education in the state.
He must be certain that this attitude will be put to test at the ballots soon, when students may be forced to express their anger at the polling units. One must be wise to tell Buni to close his eyes and imagine the 2023 results with all the students against him at the polls.
Governor Buni, wake up!
Potiskum, Yobe state
Kasim Isa Muhammad,
