The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has faulted the blockage of Nigeria House in London by scholars of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over unpaid fees.
Recall that the protesting scholars, about 30 of them, are part of the 94 students absorbed into the scheme in 2018.
The NYCN in a statement signed by its President, Solomon Adodo explained that the protest was totally uncalled for. The decision of the scholars to go ahead with the protest despite swift actions taken by the Presidency and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs in ensuring that the outstanding fees were cleared is worthy of commendation.
“While it is unfortunate that there was a delay in paying the fees, we undertook an independent scrupulous investigation on the matter from the Commission, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. From our findings, the hitches in making the payment was genuine. Also, those hitches have been overcome, sorted out and the funds dispatched.
“Consequently, we find the insistence on protesting as a unnecessary step and a ploy to dent the good image of our dear nation. While protest is a rightful and democratic means of expressing grievances, care must be taken for it not to be abused.
It should be recalled that the Interim Management of the NDDC, on Friday, assured the beneficiaries of its scholarship programme in the United Kingdom that their outstanding claims will be paid within a week. True to this commitment, the funds have been released this week.
The Commission said, “some unforeseen circumstances, including the upheavals that followed the EndSARS protests by youths, constituted stumbling blocks for the speedy implementation of the payment plan”.
The protest is the second to be staged by the students in a month who are lamenting the hardship brought upon them by the delay in payment of their dues. Now that they have been paid we expect them to refrain from such unpatriotic protests as it might pass an entirely different message to the world.
Comrade Adodo advised the students to focus on their studies and be good Ambassadors of the country. He further assured that the interest of the Nigerian Youth will always be protected anywhere in the world and the President Muhammadu Buhari government has always given attention to the genuine concerns of Nigerian Youth.
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