Students from Cross River State studying in Russia have cried out to the state governor, Ben Ayade complaining that they have been abandoned to their fates in that country.
In a Save Our Soul message to the Governor, the students said that everything had gone wrong with their studies, saying that as a result of the failure of the State Government to continue sponsoring their education, they are now unable to pay their school fees and have no money for upkeep.
The SOS reads in full:
“May we formally congratulate you Your Excellency on your victory at the polls and the success achieved so far as the Governor of our beloved Cross River State and also consolidating on the gains of democracy by creating a peaceful atmosphere for tourism, industrialization and foreign investment. We as scholars of the Cross River State Government in Russia do hereby use this medium to express our support and full confidence in your leadership owing to your wealth of experience in politics, business and most especially in the academia.
“Sir, as scholars in the Russian federation who are bonded to the Government of Cross River State and undergoing studies in various fields such as; Agriculture, Architecture, Biochemistry, Computer science, Geology, Linguistics, Mathematics, Microbiology, Medicine at B.Sc., M.Sc. and PhD levels, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the kind gesture extended to us by the Cross River State Government and also reinstate and reassure the Government of Cross River State of our resolve to see to it that we make Cross River State proud in our various fields of study and also return home to serve the good people of Cross River State in whatever capacity the Government deems fit.
“Sir, permit us to intimate you of the challenges which serve as a hindrance to a successful completion of this well-planned scheme:
1. Non-payment of our tuition and accommodation fees for 2015/2016 session which will lead to expulsion from our various institutions of study.
2. Non-payment of our upkeep, warm-clothing, study materials, insurance and visa support allowances which makes it absolutely impossible to continue studying here in the Russian federation owing to the fact that Russia isn’t a country where foreign student are allowed to work, compared to countries like the United Kingdom and the USA.
“These and many other vices staring us at the face are already exposing some of us to doing things which may portray a bad image to the Cross River State Government. The situation has hindered us from fully concentrating on our studies due to the thought of our daily survival without funding.
“Sir, we are well-informed of the current challenges involved in running government due to falling oil prices and hence our decision to cry out to your office so that you come to our rescue as our tuition, accommodation fees and allowances for 2015/2016 academic session have not been paid. And also four (4) of our post-graduate students who were advanced for their PhD studies have also not received funds for the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 academic sessions.
“Sir, we humbly appeal and implore that You please come to our rescue by creating a plan to see to it that this noble and well-planned scholarship scheme comes to a successful completion.
“Thank you Sir as we anticipate a positive response.”[myad]
