Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Eighty-six indigent students of Bauchi State, have cried out to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State out of despair over N139 million indebtedness to the Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State as tuition fees and other sundries.
Consequently, the distressed students said their certificates had been withheld, pending when they paid their debts.
The students were offered undergraduate scholarships and sponsored by the administration of former governor of the State, Isah Yuguda, in 2014, and were offered courses in medicine, pharmacy, nursing and engineering, among others.
Their plea for intervention was contained in an open letter addressed to the governor and signed by President of the 86 sponsored Bauchi students of Igbinedion University, Muhammad Umar.
The letter read: “First, I would like to express our deepest appreciation for the support and assistance your esteemed office provided in October 2021, following a meeting held between the university management and government representatives, led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) on your behalf, during which an agreement was reached to settle our outstanding debt in monthly installments.
“Your intervention brought us immense hope and assurance that our educational pursuits would be realised.
“Through your intervention, you have demonstrated that every child, regardless of his/her background, deserves a chance to thrive and contribute to the development of our great nation.
“Your Excellency, we have exhausted all avenues in an attempt to reach you directly but unfortunately, our efforts have been in vain.
”Therefore, we humbly implore you to lend us your unwavering attention and support once again.
“As the 86 sponsored students, we hail from impoverished backgrounds, and our families possess limited financial means.
“Our certificates have not been released, and we are unable to proceed with the necessary steps for our future endeavours.
“This predicament has left us stranded and filled with a sense of despair as our families’ hopes and aspirations rest heavily on our success.”
Meanwhile, the university’s bursar, Emmanuel Imafidon, confirmed the debts owed the institution by Bauchi State government.