Annually several Nigerian students come to Brazil for their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. They have so many expectations, but their initial integration is always a difficult and perplexing chaos.
The undergraduate scholarship degree scheme referred to as “PEC-G” offers opportunities to students from specific developing countries to compete for a position in a recognized Brazilian university and consequently attain a degree in any field of their preference. Nigeria happens to be one of these countries because of the existing bilateral affiliation between both countries. No doubt, this is a splendid chance as the educational system in Nigeria is not commendable.
The sad news is that the students varying from 18 to 29 years do not have available assistance from the diplomatic mission here in Brazil. It’s obvious that adapting to a new environment imposes some difficulties but it’s worse when you’re in a country that has an official language different from yours and you’re left alone to juggle school, the cultural shock and the initial settling in, which involves getting a secure accommodation without any orientation. If the sole aim of the scheme is to render adequate educational facilities to foreign students, it’s a pity that those from English speaking countries are prone to the same agonizing rules as those from Portuguese speaking countries. So far, implementing a rule that “if a student fails a course twice he or she is automatically expelled and should return to his or her country” is being carried out with diligence by the Brazilian ministry of education without considering the fact that the language barrier foists loads of difficulties in understanding teachers, communicating with colleagues and even expressing one’s self during examinations.
We ask that these regulations are reviewed and we advert knowing the importance of studying and securing good grades. The worse was left to be commented now, because the atrocious and reticent services rendered to the students by the embassy are frightening. Deem it necessary to affirm that a few students have received meritorious courtesy from the Nigerian Embassy situated in the federal district of Brazil, Brasilia. However in such a prodigious country it is sad that students who have invested and desolated the pleasure of having family and loved ones close-by are sometimes forced to desist from studying or even expelled because they were unable to confront the harsh scholarship rules governing the supposed scholarship scheme. Other African students from Portuguese and French speaking countries taking part in the same program do not face such controversies, since their diplomatic representative are quick in advocating for the interest of their citizens.
A few years ago, former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo visited Brazil and the students pleaded for financial assistance alleging that other African students receive the same benefit from their host government, he said he would look into it, but so far there’s been no news. Countries like Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde and Mozambique that cannot be compared to Nigeria in terms of economy and natural resources, collaborate efficiently with their citizens, guaranteeing their comfort. If Nigeria and its diplomatic mission here in Brazil know the importance of education in its system and is aware that the scholarship scheme obliges all students to return to their country on attaining their graduate degree, in other to use the knowledge achieved in the substantial development of their country, why wouldn’t they oversee the comfort and effective assistance of their students here in Brazil?
Nigerian students in Brazil strive day and night to be the best, this is no news as it is known that we are considered “hustlers” and make efforts to be the best in all we do. We want the diplomatic mission here to support and intercede effectively on our behalf when need be.
True, we are in search of a personal achievement but one that will subsequently become useful to our great nation because we signed an oath to return to Nigeria and exert the knowledge acquired during our studies in Brazil.
We need to be heard, we want to be heard, we deserve to be heard.
Anna Miebi Diri - Brazil
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Comments
Unfortunately our leaders don´t have time to go through this kind of article, they don´t want to hear us beacause they are always busy stealing our money.
What a pity!!!!!!
This is a brilliant article..
Ana..NOTA 10
Keep it up!!!
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