By ABDULKABIR MUHAMMED

The National President of the Niger Delta Youth For Good Governance, Comrade Lucky Ukueku, has shed light on the alleged neglect of 5,000 Itsekiri students’ tuition fees at Novena University, Ogume, Delta State, calling for a stop to the allegation.

In a press statement dated September 10, 2025, Ukueku urged the Nigerians to desist from blaming the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP)’s office for the “neglected” tuition fees, claiming that budget dependency and irregularities “in the admission process led to these challenges.”

He recalled similar experiences during his tenure as President of the PAP Scholarship Students Worldwide, arguing that the irregularities inherent in the admission process slowed down decision-making. He also claimed that admission irregularities were not limited to Delta State, citing similar challenges faced by some students at Africa University, Toru-Oruwa, Bayelsa State.

“During my tenure, I raised concerns about the illegal deployment of students to Novena University. The PAP Office, under Col. Milland Dikio Dixon’s Rt leadership, denied any involvement. I communicated with the Dean of Student Affairs to stop admitting students under questionable circumstances. The National President of Itsekiri Ethnic Group also reached out, and I explained the irregularities in the admission process.

“The PAP faced similar challenges with 89 students at Africa University, Toru-Oruwa, Bayelsa State, whose certificates remain withheld. While passion for education is commendable, the process employed was flawed,” he revealed.

Comrade Lucky Ukueku commended the Olu of Itsekiri for mediating in the crisis by clearing the affected students’ tuition fees, while urging him to embrace inclusivity.