Nigerian students demands answers as to why the Emir of Kano, Sanusi was blocked from visiting North Cyprus

Last week, we brought you a report on how the Emir of Kano and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi II was blocked from visiting North Cyprus by the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, Amb. Ilyasu Audu Paragalda and ever since students have expressed their displeasure on the development.

The Emir’s proposed visit to North Cyprus was to deliver a lecture at the Eastern Mediterranean University, on Thursday March 15th.

Giving reasons for his actions, the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey stated that Emir Sanusi’s request to the country was turned down based on diplomatic reasons and according to him, Northern Cyprus is not safe for his Royal Highness.

The Emir should not come to Northern Cyprus for diplomatic reasons. Also because Northern Cyprus is a non-recognized country therefore not a safe place, he said.

This did not however go down well with Nigerian students in the country, querying why a Nigerian Leader would be stopped from visiting Nigerians for academic purposes whereas the Ambassador had kids studying in North Cyprus under a scholarship scheme granted by the university.

A student of Eastern Mediterranean University who pleaded anonymity called on Nigerian government to come to their aid.

An annual academic event tagged ’Career week’, which is to be held at Eastern Mediterranean University in Northern Cyprus from the 12th to the 15th of March and included the attendance Emir of Kano, HRH Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has been cancelled, he said.

The Emir had accepted our invitation to grace the career week event, which is strictly for academic purpose, as well as to address international students which includes Nigerians.

Several weeks and months of vigorous planning had been made towards this great event, and numerous resources were spent, but unexpectedly, the Ambassador of Nigeria to Turkey, Ilyasu Audu Paragalda insisted that the Emir should not come to Northern Cyprus because Northern Cyprus is a non-recognized country; with claims that Northern Cyprus is not a safe place.

And just some weeks back, the Ambassador of Turkey accompanied Minister Of Justice to the same place they denied the Emir entrance, not only this there are some of the top government officials that visited NorthCyprus. Among them was the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, and recently last week some senate and house of reps members were here on the island.

Why is the Ambassador preventing the Emir from visiting when the ambassador himself has kids studying in North Cyprus under a scholarship scheme granted by the university? Also, why is the Nigerian Embassy in Ankara collecting very huge amount of money from each and every graduating student from North Cyprus universities just to get a signature on their certificates? Why are they collecting lots of scholarship slots from all the universities here, and sharing those slots within themselves and their staff each and every semester? Why are they charging outrageous amounts for International passport renewal when they come to renew passports of Nigerian Students here in Northern Cyprus?

We need the Ambassador to answer all these questions on why he is trying to create a barrier between Nigerians and their leaders. Does that mean he is trying to repudiate the people whom he has been assigned to represent?

 These questions needs answers ohh... 

By Fikayo Olowolagba