The Coordinator of the Home for the Needy Foundation, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, has raised alarm over the plight of internally displaced Persons (IDPs) studying at Western Delta University Oghara, Delta State saying many of them have been barred from sitting for exams and prevented from graduating alongside their colleagues.
Folorunsho said the situation at the IDP camp is “disturbing, discouraging and completely unfair”
He revealed that even after the governor’s daughter and the state Commissioner for Education intervened and personally paid the fees of one affected student, the student was still unable to graduate because his name had allegedly been removed from the graduating list.
He said, “As we speak, the children are very frustrated. About 13 final-year students have left out of anger, and I don’t even know where some of the are now . Some of them are in Nursing, Law, Accounting and other courses.
“As am talking to you right now about 10 of them are at home now and are looking for money to pay for hostel accomodations while other squatting with their friends. The funniest thing is that school doesn’t want us to talk to the media about their plight.
He explained that some have now returned to the camp, stranded and unable to afford accommodation near the school.
“Right now, about 10 of them are at home looking for money to pay for hostel accomodations, while others are squatting with friends,”. he said
The Coordinator further alleged that the university has been pressuring the camp management not to reveal the situation to the media adding that the institution had even issued a written warning instructing them not to speak publicly.
“If we don’t talk to the press, how will the public know what is happening to these children? With the media people will be able to know what we are going through”.
He also reminded the Edo State Government of the strong electoral support the IDP camp gave to the ruling party during the last governorship election.
He noted that the camp delivered what he described as one of the highest vote counts for the APC in the state. ” We suffered for the party. People who opposed the party are being welcomed and rewarded, but those who stood by him have been forgotten “.
He appealed to Governor Monday Okpeholo to personally visit the camp and address the challenges facing the displaced families.
The Coordinator pointed out that former governor Adams Oshiomhole had built the school within the camp, which has produced hundreds of graduates, including more than 100 currently studying at the University of Benin.
“We need the governor to come and do something big for us. We have orphans and widows here. Our children need food. These are displaced persons
He also commended the infrastructural development across the state, especially the new flyover at Ikpoba Hill.
“The other days passed Ikpoba Hill and I was very excited at the fly over and other Infrastructural development in the state.. “It is our prayer that God continues to guide him to do the right thing for the people of Edo State.
