19 Kano Medical Students In Egypt May Not Graduate Next Month Over N70m Outstanding

About twenty-five Kano state students studying Medicine at October 6 University in Egypt are in dire need of support of the state government over failure to pay about N70m accommodation, upkeep allowance and undergo compulsory internship.

The students who have been ejected from their accommodation due to failure of Kano state government to offset their rents are said to be owing about 16 months rents and staying in Egypt without Upkeep allowance of upward of 13 months.

They said due to all these challenges and not undergoing the compulsory internship, 19 of them expected to complete their study next month would graduate with their mates but would not be certified due to failure to participate in a compulsory session internship.

‘’Our certificate would not be recognized as we yet to undergo the compulsory Internship like other students due to failure of the state government to pay. Some of our mates from Jigawa and Yobe states have done their internship, so they will qualify next month as medical doctors, ‘’said the students.

Similarly the students said  the tuition fee of three other students who are supposed to graduate after them have not being paid.

Investigation by Solacebase revealed that over two months ago, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has requested for the files of the students to facilitate payment but the state Scholarship Board was having difficulties on the actual amount the students are supposed to be paid.

A source at the board told Solacebase that  over N100m was submitted to the governor as outstanding for the students, while in letters written to the governor by the students indicated about N70m.

Almost two years ago Kano State Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission has being investigating alleged fraud in the sponsorship of students on foreign study especially those in Egypt.

Some of the students who spoke to Solacebase on condition of anonymity said the governor is much aware of their plight as they have been communicating their situation to the Deputy Governor, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, former Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, the Executive Secretary, Kano State Scholarship Board Prof. Fatima Umar, and some other top government functionaries.

 Our Correspondent had contacted former Senior Special Adviser to the Governor, Saliu Tanko Yakasai, former Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba and Executive Secretary, Kano State Scholarship Board Prof. Fatima Umar who all confirmed the issue does exist but all promised to see that the outstanding was paid.

However, on Thursday the students who their landlords have seized their traveled documents and without resident permits any more appealed to well-meaning Kano people to kindly intervene by informing the governor of their true situation.

The students said they have written letters to the governor, a copy of which was sent to Solacebase appealing for attention to their plight.

A source close to the government told Solacebase that gov Ganduje had attempted relieving the Executive Secretary of the Scholarship Board Prof. Fatima Umar over allegations that she was delaying most of the payments but was prevailed upon.

Efforts to get a reaction from the state government proved abortive, as calls put to Chief Press Secretary of the Governor, Abba Anwar could not connect.

Some letters from the University below: