by ‘Jola Sotubo

The search for greener pastures in the area of education has led many Nigerian students outside the country.

The incessant strikes of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), unpredictable academic calendars and overall poor standard of education are just a few of the reasons why some of the nation’s students have sought educational solace in countries like Malaysia, Ukraine and Cyprus.

Unfortunately however, not all Nigerians who visit these countries come back with a better lot, some don’t even come back at all.

In April 2012, Onochie Martins Nwankwo, a student at a private college in Malaysia was beaten to death by security guards.

In December 2013, 2 Nigerian students, Theresa Olaoluwa Oresanya and Bede Olunna Ogbu, both studying at the Donetsk National Technical University in Ukraine,died in circumstances which were said to have pointed to negligence.

The Chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri- Erewa, has now issued a warning to parents against sending their children to study in Cyprus, specifically at the Cyprus International University, Nicosa, in North Cyprus.

Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa attributed this directive to the fact that the school’s authorities had shown insensitivity towards the death of one Gabriel Soriwei, a 20-year-old who had been in his first year studying  Electrical/Electronic Engineering at the university when he died.

Premium Times reports:

Mr. Soriwei was knocked down by a driver on July 13, 2013.

He went into a coma and eventually died on September 7, 2013. Five days after his demise, the university authorities flew his remains back to Nigeria.

Nigerians, especially the deceased person’s family, have condemned the manner in which the school handled the situation.

Ms. Dabiri-Erewa, warned Nigerians to be wary of the authorities of school who she said are moving to lure Nigerian students.

“The House Committee on Diaspora has drawn the attention of Nigerians to a suspicious move by the authorities of Cyprus International University, Nicosa, North Cyprus to lure Nigerian students to their university,” Mrs. Dabiri – Erewa said.

She accused the CIU of conniving with North Cyprus to facilitate the release of the driver and shield her identity from the family of the deceased.

The Director, International Office of CIU, Patrick Douse, on Tuesday apologised to the Soriwei family over the Institutions nonchalance.

He explained that the identity of the driver that knocked Gabriel down was being withheld by the police because investigations were still ongoing.

Mrs. Dabiri – Erewa recounted the death of another Nigerian, a musician from Bayelsa State, Stanley Ateimo. He was allegedly murdered during a disagreement with a white student over a girl in Nicosa on August 12, 2013.

She said Nigerians should be wary of the school’s team which was headed to Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Uyo leaving out Benin and Bayelsa, home states of Messrs Soriwei and Ateimo.