The Rivers State Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) awards overseas scholarships to students as part of her human resource development. The scholarship covers school fees and maintenance costs (upkeep and accommodation).

In recent times, the Government has failed in her duty to fulfil the terms of the scholarship agreement. Some scholars in universities across Europe, the United Kingdom and North America have been excluded while some have been barred from the use of university facilities and face the threat of imminent exclusion if the Government does not act swiftly.This is the basic problem.

In addition, most scholars have not received maintenance allowance for six (6) months and for some, seven (7) months. The scholarship is designed particularly for indigent scholars and so for the majority, our family members in Nigeria can not provide any financial help whatsoever. This has put enormous strain on the mental, physical and academic well-being of these scholars as we face heightening pressure to pay bills and provide the basic adequacies of life. Some of us have been kicked out of our houses by our landlords, some can not afford heating and so have had to face the cold and  some can not afford to feed themselves once a day. Despite all these, we still have to study and have good results.

This petition calls on the Governor of Rivers State, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Rivers State Government and her agency, the RSSDA to pay our school fees and maintenance as soon as possible.

This is an SOS, a cry for help. Please sign this petition, every signature matters and can save a life.