A writer-activist, Charles Jaja, has criticised the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for what he described as inconsistent behaviour following the Minister’s celebration of his son’s graduation abroad. Nyesom Wike recently took to social media to celebrate his son’s achievement, earning a Master of Law (LLM) degree from Queen Mary University of London in the United Kingdom. Charles Jaja questioned the Minister’s action, highlighting that Wike, as the former governor, had recalled Rivers State-sponsored students from foreign universities and directed them to enroll in state-owned universities.
He argued that the Minister’s decision to allow his child to study abroad contradicted the policy he enforced on others. The activist, Charles Jaja, advised Nyesom Wike to adopt a consistent stance, emphasising that the public figure should live by example rather than say one thing and do another, stating that he should have allowed his own son to study at Rivers State University or any other university in Nigeria.
“Years back, former governor Wike pulled back all Rivers students sent abroad to study. With what he did, it means Amaechi only wasted Rivers’ money in sending those children abroad to study courses that would have been offered here in Nigeria.”
Also, a human rights activist, Ibinabo Robinson, in an interview with our reporter, condemned the attitude of the FCT Minister. He said it is pure hypocrisy. He recalled that Wike once condemned citizens going abroad to study certain courses whose expertise is readily available in Nigeria, like law, English, and economics. He further stated that this development has exposed Wike’s hypocrisy and also highlights the lack of faith political leaders have in the country’s education system—the same system they were elected to improve.
“Celebrating his son who graduated in a UK university, whereupon he read law—Isn’t this hypocritical and of double standard in all ramifications? He says one thing and does another. By returning these students back to Nigeria, thereby depriving them of benefiting from what the state government had to offer them, is complete injustice on his part.”
Recall that in 2015, shortly after Wike assumed office as governor, he discontinued the sponsorship of Rivers State students studying abroad under the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), under the leadership of the former governor, Chibuike Amaechi.
