Over 600 students of ESM University in Benin Republic, along with their parents and supporters, have made a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to reverse the ban on the university’s certificates in Nigeria.
The affected students, many of whom are on scholarships provided by the faith-based organization Omega Power Ministries, are now facing uncertainty about their education and future.
During a recent gathering in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the students and their parents expressed their distress over the Federal Government’s decision to ban the certificates issued by ESM University. They are concerned that their progress in school and the investments made by their benefactor, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, will be wasted.
Mrs. Josephine Hycienth, a visually impaired widow and one of the parents affected, shared her difficulties since losing her husband, stating, “Nobody cares about us since after my husband’s death. I want President Bola Tinubu to come to our aid. They should not cancel their education.” She fears that if her son is forced to return to Nigeria, he will have no means to continue his studies.
A 200-level Computer Science student, Moses Nicodemus, explained his frustration, saying, “I came back to Nigeria for my Industrial Training only to hear that my school is not accredited.” He emphasized the need for President Tinubu’s intervention, noting the significant financial investments made by Apostle Chinyere in their education.
Apostle Chinyere, who has funded the students’ education using church offerings and tithes, revealed that he had previously verified the university’s accreditation with the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja before sending the students to ESM University. He urged the President and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to consider the impact of this ban on the students’ future, stating, “Please President Bola Tinubu, I know you are a father. Look at these parents, look at these children and reconsider. Let this policy be reversed so that these children can return to school.”
Chinyere highlighted the challenges faced by many underprivileged students in Nigeria, pointing out that the country’s educational system has been made strenuous by government policies. He reiterated that his mission is to help those in need through educational support, adding that he has over 4,000 students on scholarships, both within Nigeria and abroad.
