The National Association of Kaduna State Students (NAKASS) has split over the alleged non-payment of three years scholarship to indigenous students studying in tertiary institutions across the country.
While a group led by the association’s Secretary General, Jeremiah Tisan Gwaza on Thursday accused the State government of insensitivity to students’ plight and gave a 21-day ultimatum, another group led by the President Yahaya Abdullahi on Friday dissociated itself from that mission saying it was false.
Gwaza’s group had at a news briefing enumerated their demands and subsequent ultimatum, or a shut-down of activities in the 3 senatorial districts of the state if they were not met.
“Our Demands!
- We demand for the immediate reversal of the new scholarship scheme as it all, but a bunch of cake in the middle of nowhere in other words very unrealistic.
- For not paying the student scholarship as reflected in the state appropriation bill for 3 years, we want to believe you have intentions to; which is why we demand for the payment in arrears of our old Scholarship Bursaries for those three Sessions.
- We also demand the refund of 500 Naira paid to the scholarship Board by almost 50,000 students to purchase scholarship forms which was never granted, payment should be made to their personal accounts as we all know some of them have graduated and others even are no more.
“In the light of the above we are giving the state government an ultimatum of 21-days (which ends on Thursday 1st November, 2018) to meet our demands as failure to do so, we shall, without compromise shutdown the 3 zones in the state ubiquitously until our needs are met. This is not a promise, it is our decision.
“We call on all sister unions to join in solidarity as this matter affect everyone whether directly or indirectly”.
But in a swift reaction, another faction by Yahaya Abdullahi on Friday distanced itself from the said allegation.
Speaking on behalf of the faction, the President, Comr. Yahaya Abdullahi said,
“The leadership of National Association of Kaduna State Students (NAKASS) distances itself and totally condemns the so called press release by some impostors with reference to the 21-days ultimatum given to Kaduna State government on local scholarship dated 10th October, 2018
The faction also expressed displeasure with which they received the news saying,
“The news came to us as a shock, as the said group do not even know the status of the scholarship they referred to.
However, as we are speaking to you right now, The State Government has since last two months approved the payment of the local scholarship, the released of the funds and currently the scholarship board is working for the sorting and other processes for the awardees which we hope, in few weeks beneficiaries will receive their alert.
“The leadership of this noble association wish to inform the students and general public that henceforth any formal communication from the association, after further deliberations by the officials will be made through the President (Comr. Yahaya Abdullahi), the Speaker (Comr Emmanuel B. Sheyin), or the President’s Spokesperson.
“In view of this, we are warning impersonators that henceforth, who ever caught using the name of NAKASS in any way will face the wrath of the law.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the faction that gave 21-days ultimatum, Jeremiah Tisan Gwaza remains suspended.
“Jeremiah Tisan Gwaza stands suspended indefinitely for bridging the supreme constitution of NAKASS as provided.
We are of the opinion that all those who for their selfish interest or reasons to use the name of the association in other to make claims that are not of the students interest should avoid that, as the association will not take it lightly with any student or member of the public who impersonate or ridicule the image of the association.
The faction however pleaded that the Kaduna state government and all relevant agencies expedite action in ensuring that payments are made as promised.
“Our plea;
The Kaduna State government and other relevant bodies saddled with the responsibility of the local scholarship should fast tract the payment,” the faction submitted.