Gbenro Adesina
A young Nigerian, identified as Godwin Goodhead, from Etim Ekpo Local Government in Akwa Ibom State, whom the government of India has offered a full funded scholarship to study Law has appealed to the Federal Government and government of Anambra State to assist him in securing a clearance from National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), as a supporting document to process Visa at India High Commission in Nigeria.
Goodhead from Akwa Ibom noted that all his efforts to legally get NDLEA Certificate to prove that he has never been involved in hard drug case have proven abortive, despite the fact that he has satisfied the stipulated conditions demanded of him by the agency.
He said that he applied for a scholarship in India and the scholarship was awarded, adding that all the documents needed for easy process of Visa application have been issued by the Indian Government and handed over to him.
He said that he was asked to approach India Embassy in Nigeria with the document forwarded to him to process Visa.
According to him, when he got to High Commission, he was asked to provide among others, police report, NDLEA Certificate and true certified WAEC certificate.
He said it took no time for the police to issue a police report for him but NDLEA has been foot dragging in issuing its own certificate after buying its form at N20,000 and paid other fees demanded. .
He explained, “I am Godwin Godhead… from Area of Akwa Ibom State. I applied for a scholarship in India and by the grace of God, the government of India shortlisted my name for the scholarship. It is a fully funded scholarship to study Law. Fortunate enough, all the required documents needed, the school has sent it by August. I was only requested to provide international passport and visa.
“I did my best to get my passport. Thereafter, I proceeded to Embassy in Abuja but the embassy visa requirements were too cumbersome. They needed police clearance, NDLEA Certificate and true certified copy of my WAEC result. I did all that. I went to the police where I did my police clearance and collected police report. I went to the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja for the certification of my WAEC result. I did everything that were needed to be done.
“I was to do NDLEA Clearance. I went to NDLEA office in Akwa Ibom State. I gave them everything that was demanded. They said my co-sponsor has to provide tax clearance. I told them that it is the government of India that is sponsoring me. They said that I needed a co-sponsor to handle whatever financial challenge that may arise in the future. I had already booked my appointment with Embassy in Abuja. I travelled down to Abuja for the embassy appointment.
“When I got to Abuja, the embassy in Abuja said the people from South South should go to Lagos. I moved to Lagos. At their high commission in Lagos, all my things were clarified. They said I needed to provide NDLEA certificate, that I am not a drug addict. I went to the NDLEA office in Lagos and told them that I have bought the NDLEA form for N20,000. I have given them all the documentations but they have not processed my paper. NDLEA Lagos referred me back to Akwa Ibom State, that I should go there and submit it so that they can write the report and send my file to Lagos.
“I was totally stranded. I had no choice than to travel back to Akwa Ibom State. Two weeks ago, I went to Akwa Ibom State, with my guarantor and everything. I submitted all my documents to the NDLEA office. The SO Visa clearance promised that I should go to Lagos so that I can receive my report. He said they will write the clearance immediate and forward it to Lagos for me to pick it in Lagos. I immediately took a night bus to Lagos. When I got to Lagos, I went to NDLEA Office in ikoyi. Now the situation is that I go to NDLEA Office in Lagos every day. Transport fare from Ajah to Ikoyi cost me N1500 every day.
“Other students that need it are getting it but they are not giving me. Somebody, who applied within a week got it. Why are you frustrating me? Sometimes, they will chase me out, sometimes they will ask me to go out. They will be talking to me anyhow, abusing me. Other students are receiving theirs and travelling. The embassy is threatening that I will lose the scholarship if the needful is not done. I don’t know what to do. I am only appealing that the government of Akwa Ibom will help me.
“I know the Governor, Udom Emmanuel is a man that values education, a man of integrity. If he gets to know this problem, I would not have suffered this much. I am just appealing to the government to intervene. I don’t have anybody unlike those who have people and are getting their clearance fast. I am suffering because I don’t have anybody. Let the government help me. There is no way I will have the education and not make the government of Akwa Ibom and Federal Government proud. I am awarded scholarship to two honours: Bachelor of Law and Arts. I appeal to the government to rise and help me. I am in Lagos. They are telling me that I will need to go to Akwa Ibom and Abuja. I don’t know what to do again. Let the government come and help me. My people, help me. I can’t afford to lose this opportunity. Thank you very much”.
