By Our Correspondent
Kano State Students under the auspices of the National Association of Kano State Students Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Chapter (NAKSS-ABU), appealed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to extend the support of payment of their registration fees and other charges to ameliorate their educational challenges.
Hotpen reports that, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had recently paid over N700m to Bayero University, Kano as school fees of Kano indigenes studying in the institution over increment of school fees in all federal universities across the country.
The students in the letters dated November 4th, 2023, and December 11th, 2023 said the appeal for the payment of their school fees by the government became pertinent due to economic challenges with increment in fees by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in the new academic session which many of them could not afford.
It was gathered that after the first letter by the students, the governor directed the Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Yusuf Kofar Mata to look into the issue and make recommendations.
The Commissioner according to a reply to his letter by the students’ leadership requested for the list of Kano Students at ABU Zaria which was provided by the students in another letter written by them dated December 11th, 2023 , attaching the list of students issued by the university.
It reads in part, ‘’Furthermore, with respect to the letter dated 8th of November, 2023 (MHEJADM/M/O9/V.H/H) requesting the list containing the entire list of Kano State indigent in ABU, here is an attached copy of all the students, their department and the stipulated fee in request.’’
In one of the letters, it was indicated by the students that the registration period commenced on Monday, 4th December 2023, and end on Saturday 13th, January 2024.
It was reliably informed that there has been foot-dragging from the office of the Commissioner for Higher Education which is not helping the situation.
With this, the students in another letter titled ‘’Urgent Appeal For Tuition Fee Approval To Prevent Accommodation Crisis’’ dated January 2nd, 2024 and signed by Sule Sani Sule, Chairman, Scholarship Committee, National Association of Kano State Students (NAKSS) ABU Zaria, addressed to Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, said time is running out as the portal for accommodation has opened and it is a first come, first serve basis.
‘’We have identified 3,554 indigenous students from Kano currently enrolled at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria who are at risk of losing their accommodation due to opening of portal for accommodation clicking which is first come first serve. The total sum required to secure their tuition fees and prevent this accommodation crisis amounts to N254,713,750,’’ the letter read.
‘’Time is of the essence, as the portal is scheduled to be opened tomorrow, and they may lose the chance to secure accommodation if fees are not paid on time. Without your swift approval of the payment, these students face the imminent threat of losing their accommodation, thereby jeopardizing their academic pursuits.’’
‘’Your Excellency, we understand the challenges facing our great state, but we believe in your commitment to education and the well-being of our youth. These students are the future of Kano State, and their education is crucial for the development of our society.
‘’We, therefore, humbly appeal to you, Your Excellency, to consider the urgency of this matter and grant your approval for the payment of the tuition fees of these 3,554 indigenous students. Your intervention will not only secure their educational aspirations but will also contribute significantly to the growth and prosperity of Kano State.’’
‘’We appreciate your unwavering support for education in our state and remain hopeful for your prompt attention to this critical matter.’’
SOLACEBASE tried speaking with the commissioner for higher education, Dr Yusuf Kofa Mata severally but his telephone line was not connecting.
Culled from Solacebase
