By Adamu Saleh Maidalibai
While the economy is down, school fees higher, poverty increases, many families lost hope that their children could not afford tuition fees. As a result, many families become hopeless, yet many students in Jigawa State manage to survive and get their legs in tertiary institutions across the country.
I know many students that solely depend on scholarships to settle their annual school fees. I know many students who lack food and rely on the same scholarship to get their tummy intact. I know many students who use scholarships to buy materials to improve themselves academically.
Thousands of Jigawa state students become excited when their phones ring, thinking it is a credit alert every day.
I can vividly remember my terrible struggles two years ago when I led a team of thousands of students. Then, we struggled for our betterment (scholarship), and it bore a fruitful outcome. In those days, I proved to myself that yes, I’m a comrade, a student leader with capacity, who could stand for Jigawa state students not only before them but before the government. It has been two years back today. Since then, the Jigawa State government has never listened to students anymore.
I often use to ask myself some questions: Does the Jigawa State government forget about students? Is the government aware of students problems? Are there any students leaders in the state? Do Jigawa state students have a voice? Why can’t they air their concerns? These and many questions cross my mind, but I was ashamed of both the government and the students.
Dear Governor Badaru, part of your manifestos is that students’ betterment will be part of your top priorities. Wouldn’t you fulfil that promise, please?
Leadership is a burden, not an enjoyment. Please do the needful before it’s too late. Then, you will stand before the Lord and be accountable for all that you did. On that very day, what would you tell the Lord (Allah) when you’re asked about students?
Adamu Saleh Maidalibai writes from Kazaure. He can be reached via salehadamu90@gmail.com.