The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) vehemently condemns the recent statement by the Zamfara State government blaming former Governor Bello Matawalle for the plight of 93 stranded students in Cyprus.
This report, alleging that the students’ situation is due to unpaid fees and poor documentation, is a blatant fabrication and a cynical attempt by the current administration of Dauda Lawal to deflect responsibility for its own failures.
Government, by its very nature, is a matter of continuity. The noble initiative of providing educational opportunities for Zamfara’s youth through scholarships, a hallmark of the Matawalle administration, should be celebrated, not undermined by cheap political opportunism.
A statement by the Chairman of NAN Salihu Suleiman averred that, to blame the previous administration for the present government’s inability to fulfill its obligations to these students is not only disingenuous but also deeply irresponsible.
“The core of the issue lies in the current government’s lack of capacity and will to see the scholarship program through. If there were genuine concerns about documentation or fee payment, why were the students allowed to travel to Cyprus in the first place?
“Furthermore, if the government was genuinely concerned about the students’ welfare, would they have remained silent for months while the crisis unfolded, only to emerge with a fabricated narrative aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the previous administration?
“This blatant attempt to manipulate public opinion through false accusations is a clear indication of the current administration’s incompetence and lack of foresight. It is not difficult to discern that this political maneuvering is simply a desperate attempt to distract from the current government’s failures in managing the state’s affairs”.
The group stated also that instead of seeking to deflect blame and discredit the previous administration, Governor Lawal should focused on addressing the immediate needs of the stranded students which includes facilitating their return to Nigeria, ensuring their safety and well-being, and exploring options to help them continue their education, either in Nigeria or through alternative scholarship programs.
“The government has a responsibility to these young people, who were encouraged to pursue their dreams through a program initiated by the previous administration.
“The current administration must be held accountable for its lack of leadership and its failure to uphold the legacy of the scholarship program. NAN urges the Zamfara State government to immediately take concrete steps to address the plight of these stranded students and to desist from engaging in misleading public pronouncements”.
NAN affirm their stand in solidarity with the students and their families, and call on the government to demonstrate its commitment to their welfare and educational aspirations, adding that the current administration must move beyond political point-scoring and focus on serving the needs of the people, not on tarnishing the legacy of its predecessors.
“The Zamfara State government has a moral obligation to ensure these students receive the support and opportunities they deserve, and NAN will continue to hold them accountable for their actions”.
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