How Government Paid Our School Fees For 6 Years

The Government of the State of Osun under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has made a remarkable stride in the history of Nigeria and Africa as a whole with the following points;

1. Successful transfer of 112 medical students to complete their medical training abroad; including both government and private students. 

2. Sponsorship of 85 government students for six good years.

3. None discrimination of the state or country of origin as students from other states and country were part of the scholarship.

4. Payment of private students final year school fees.

5. No attachment of bond or repayment for enjoying the scholarship.

Now, here's the story...

For complete 3 days I was in a shock. I wouldn’t believe what I just heard. One of the Commissioners had whispered into my ears “The Governor might pay you guys’ school fees for completing your medical training abroad,” He said. Immediately I opened my brain to calculate how much that could cost. But I couldn’t, because of the overwhelming joy. 

That time, it had not entered news. Nobody knew what was going to happen to us. Our case had already drawn the attention of the public, but not yet resolved. There was no teaching hospital to do the clinical part of our medical training. We had waited for 2 good years. Government made so much efforts to make sure we’re absorbed in other medical schools within the country, but all to no avail. Then, options outside the country came upfront. We ended up in one of the best universities in Ukraine. 

In my 3 days of shock I began to calculate how much the government had to spend if that would be true. Obviously, our state was not among the richest states in the country. So, how would the government foot all the bills? I had many thoughts in my head. So, how was government able to pay our school fees for 6 years? Did I say 6 years, yes 6 years of unrelenting efforts and sacrifice. 

A first time of any event could be an accident. A second time could be a coincidence. A third time could be a temporary incidence. But more than third time is already a planned agenda. That was what happened to us about our school fees. It means the government had us in mind. 

Many people had attacked the decision of the government to send us abroad. They said the Governor was wasting money. But they didn’t understand the worth of that investment and how much value the government has bought for us. Many of us have been mentally transformed and educated. Many people have asked me “Are you sure government is going to pay for your school fees and even continue to pay when you guys are there? Are you sure they will not just pay once and forget you guys there? Are you sure they are not just using you guys for their political propaganda and go and dump you there? Which government in Nigeria have you seen that has fulfilled their promise when it comes to issue of giving students scholarship to study abroad and so on? 

But I’m proud to tell them today that I have seen government in Nigeria that’s able to do that. And that’s the State of Osun through Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who paid all our school fees without owing a dime to the university where we studied. One hundred and twelve students came through the state government to Ukraine, 85 were government sponsored, 27 were private sponsored. Due to delay in getting VISA, we came in batches, some were in 1st batch. Others were in 2nd batch. Both batches involved government and private students. Those in 1st batch had 4 years to complete their medical training. Those in 2nd batch had 5 years. 

FIRST YEAR 

Our first year school fees was given to us in cash as part of requirements to enter Ukraine at the immigration service. There were a lot of expenses involved that year, because of our transfer. Notwithstanding, every bill was paid by the government. We were all registered up to the last batch that came from Nigeria. Our tuition, registration and accommodation fees were all paid by the government. Everybody was happy. 

SECOND YEAR 

There wasn’t problem for the second year payment. Though the time for this payment was quite close to the last payment because we started from second semester (2nd course) of our first academic session in Karazin university. Notwithstanding, the government still went ahead and made all the payments to time. That was really amazing. 

THIRD YEAR 

For the third year, we had to wait. Some things needed to be fixed, especially in the state, knowing fully well that the government had got a lot of things to do. That time was when Nigerian Naira was highly devalued more than 300% its former exchange rate to US dollars. It was a big shock to everybody. We waited and waited. Then, Karazin university started raising alarm on us for expulsion. 

Then, many were saying, "yes, we knew this time would come, now it has come. Let them all be deported back home." Different words of envy and jealousy were coming from different quarters especially from those unexpected. But we kept our peace and faced the situation. The university had given us 5 working days to be expelled and deported back to Nigeria. 

One night, all of us government students had a meeting in our hostel, we decided to write an urgent letter to the government, stating the issue of expulsion and the deadline university gave us. That same night before sending the letter, I received a message from the Deputy Governor stating how they’ve been working so hard to pay our fees and said in no time all the money will be paid. 

To our biggest surprise, in less than three working days, the whole money for 85 government students was paid. That was really amazing. We were so happy. Thank God for our Governor, Deputy Governor and everyone who was instrumental to saving us in that situation. And thank God for our parents and all stakeholders who have sacrificed many things of value to them and have committed themselves to our future. We can’t thank them all enough.

FOURTH YEAR 

This year was such an interesting one because even before the time was due for payment, government had already paid. The governor wouldn’t mind how much it costs him to buy education for youths and leave good legacy for his children. We were all happy and everything was going smoothly. 

FIFTH YEAR 

Just like 4th year, the school fees was paid up to time. This was really amazing. The tuition, accommodation and registration fees were all paid. Government also paid the outstanding and full year school fees for one of the private students that was at the verge of expulsion. That was really a big act of magnanimity, and we were all grateful for it. The first batch graduated this year. One of us, Dr. Lateefah Oyeleye, came out the best graduating student all over Ukraine.

SIXTH YEAR 

This was the final year and the last batch. The government did wonders. In addition to the remaining government students (2nd batch), government also paid for the remaining private students. That was really mind–blowing. 

In all, we thank God for the journey so far and the great people who have been instrumental to our success. I’m sure none of us would forget the government of the State of Osun under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. I believe this is a worthwhile and global investment that will yield great results in the nearest future. I thank you all. My regards.

Samuel Owoeye, MD

June 2018