How Wike Who Celebrated Son’s UK School Graduation Stopped Paying Scholarships For Rivers State Students Abroad
Jordan, son of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has earned a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Queen Mary University of London.
His proud father announced the news on social media, sharing photos from the graduation ceremony.
The event was attended by Jordan’s family, as well as other Nigerians such as Okezie Ikpeazu, former governor of Abia, and Philip Aduda, a former senator.
“Happy to witness, alongside my wife, the graduation ceremony of our son, Jordan, who just earned a Master of Laws (LLM) Degree at the Queen Mary University of London, UK.
“As a father, I am happy for the progress Jordan is making in the pursuit of his career,” he captioned the post.
However, Wike had a different stance on foreign education for common people a few years ago. As the Governor of Rivers State, Wike halted payment for scholarships of Rivers State students studying abroad.
This decision was made after he claimed that the previous administration had incurred a debt of N3.5 billion for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 sessions.
The affected students, who had graduated but were unable to collect their results due to unpaid school fees, protested Wike’s decision during his visit to the UK in 2017.
They staged a demonstration at the Chatham House in London, seeking an explanation for the cancellation of their bursary scheme.
However, Wike reportedly snubbed the students, displaying an insensitive attitude towards their plight.
Wike, who seemed angry at the students, said: “You think if you do this you will win anybody over? I have passed this stage. By the time you do this, you won’t get what you want.”
As he was struggling to get out of the surging crowd, Wike continued: “What is your problem? Is it how you are taught in the school? You don’t know how to respect people?”
A student was overheard saying: “I studied medical neuroscience. I have already graduated and a lot of us here have graduated but we don’t have our certificate and we can’t work, we can’t do NYSC.”
A supporter of the governor who was trying to pacify one of the students said, “They are going to pay your school fees,” however, the student did not relent, as he continued, saying, “Mr Project, commit to us that we are going to get back and get our certificate.”
But Wike interjected, saying: “Why are you worrying yourself? He is very rude.”
A male voice in the crowd was heard telling the governor that they “are young people”.
After pausing for a while, Wike said: “Put those placards down!”
The video of the incident was shared on Facebook by Lekan Fatodu.
Accompanying the video, he wrote: “Gov. Wike read the riot act to some Rivers state students who are studying in the UK over their ‘behaviour’”.
“Interestingly, some Riverians are also present to catch up and exchange pleasantries with His Excellency. Talking of different strokes for different folks; and a nation that is long in search of a purpose.”
The Rivers State government announced in 2016 that it would no longer be able to fully fund its students abroad.
The state government informed parents and guardians of students benefiting from the state government funded scholarship programme in various universities across the world that resources were no longer available to continue with the sponsorship abroad.
The government said it would no longer pay the tuition and allowances of the scholars and advised all of them to return home.
The government’s policy was shared with parents and guardians in a letter dated February 6, 2016. According to Lawrence Pepple, Executive Director/CEO of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), the only students exempt from this directive are those in their final year, set to graduate in 2016.
“All others will need to return to Nigeria to continue their studies; the government will continue to fully sponsor them. This way all the students will still achieve the desired objective of successful graduation in your chosen field of study,” the letter read.
The overseas scholarship programme administered by the RSSDA had been running since the 2008/2009 academic session and had a target of sending 300 students overseas annually.
The state government paid the entire bill of the scholars including the airfare, tuition (school fees, laboratory, books), accommodation, feeding and monthly upkeep.
Reacting to Jordan Wike’s foreign education, human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, lambasted Wike for celebrating his son’s graduation in the UK.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), knocked the minister for serving as education minister in Nigeria for four years and failing to build a school good enough for his children to study.
He said it was a “shame” that Wike failed to leave an legacy behind in the education sector despite serving as Rivers State Governor for eight years, local government chairman for two terms and currently as the FCT minister.
“You were governor for eight years in Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s wealthiest states,” Sowore said.
“You looted the state dry and couldn’t build a single school where your children could earn a Master’s in Law. What a Crying Shame!
“Nyesom Wike was Ex-local government Chairman (two terms), Ex-Minister of Education (4 years), Ex-Governor of Rivers State (two terms-8 years), and Current FCT Minister yet Wike could not build a school good enough to send his children to study, he needs to send them to UK schools with stolen funds.”
@AnyikeI wrote: “Wike Built schools in RS FYI. Upgraded the COAS to Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic. Expanded RSU into four campuses, Ahoada Campus, Emuoha Campus, Etche Campus and Tai Campus in Ogoni all built by him.”
Wike Built schools in RS FYI. Upgraded the COAS to Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic. Expanded RSU into four campuses, Ahoada Campus, Emuoha Campus, Etche Campus and Tai Campus in Ogoni all built by him.
Responding to @AnyikeI, @ok_chimex questioned why his son didn’t attend the schools he built if they were good enough.
He wrote: “But still not good enough for his son to attend? Chai may God help your souls.”
But still not good enough for his son to attend? Chai may God help your souls
@awesomeciomng wrote: “Why didn’t his son school in any of the schools you mentioned? Are you so daft that you can’t deduct what Sowore said?
“He built them but can’t send his son there. Are you ok?”
Why didn’t his son school in any of the schools you mentioned? Are you so daft that you can’t deduct what Sowore said?
He built them but can’t send his son there. Are you ok?
@kpuraAraba wrote: “The untidiness of the family, despite the humongous stolen wealth around them baffles me. (It shouldn’t actually).
“It bears evidence that: a pig can’t be properly clothed, regardless of fortune change.”
The untidiness of the family, despite the humongous stolen wealth around them baffles me. (It shouldn’t actually).
It bears evidence that: a pig can’t be properly clothed, regardless of fortune change.
