By TINA TIMOTHY

The US Nigeria Law Group in Washington, United States of America, has accused the Nigerian Government of being responsible for the staggering number of out-of-school students which currently stands at over 10 million.

The group stressed that while Boko Haram terrorist group aims to stamp out western education, the Buhari-led administration has done worse by kicking out soldiers schooling in military academic institutions, adding that the regime is “needlessly exacerbating dubious distinction as having most out-of-school population.”

In reaction to the Army’s withdrawal of servicemen enrolled in school at their own expense, before completion of their studies, the group, in a press statement on October 22, 2022, signed by International Human Rights Lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe Esq, condemned the action which he described as “reprehensible”.

The statement, a copy of which was made available to News Express, reads: “We’re deeply disturbed by the recent action of the Nigerian Army in withdrawing servicemen, who were enrolled in school at their own expense, before the completion of their studies.

“At a time when Nigeria’s children in universities have been held hostage to the government and ASUU imbroglio for over half a year, it is inconceivable that a right-thinking government would similarly kick out soldiers schooling in military academic institutions.

“As it stands, the government is now responsible for more students currently out of school than even Boko Haram, the terror group that has sought to stamp out western education.

“Nigeria has the unenviable distinction of having the most out-of-school children at over 10 million. Rather than addressing this travesty, the government of the day has added university students to the mix and now even military students in what can be seen as an almajirinization or Boko haramization of the Nigerian educational space.”

Highlighting the benefits of an educated military, the group expressed worry that President Buhari who himself “benefited from being funded and educated by the Nigerian government even in foreign military institutions is handing over a shameful legacy, training over 100 terrorists who were released from prison while simultaneously withdrawing soldiers, who helped capture these terrorists, from school.”

The statement continues: “An educated military is a benefit to a nation. Soldiers who dwell in harsh conditions to duel terror and then take time to elevate their intellect are trying to do better by themselves and by their country.

“Advanced countries prioritize the education of ex-servicemen to facilitate their seamless re-entry into society like the revolutionary GI Bill in America. In the case of Nigeria, not only are these soldiers not retired but still educating themselves on the job, they’re sponsoring themselves at a Nigerian army school only to be unfairly sabotaged before their graduation.

“To add insult to injury, the Buhari administration has reportedly released over 100 terrorists from prison and sent them for “de radicalization” training recently while simultaneously withdrawing soldiers, who helped capture them, from school.

“Gen. Buhari who has benefited his entire life from being funded and educated by the Nigerian government even in foreign military institutions is handing over a shameful legacy to soldiers of today than he himself received.”

Joining voice with human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, the group consequently called on the Nigerian government to restore the affected soldiers back to class.

“We urge the government to comply with the request of esteemed human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), to restore the 366 affected soldiers back to their institutions of learning to continue their studies,” the statement added.

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