Ben Bruce, senator representing Bayelsa east, says it is unfair for President Muhammadu Buhari to ban forex for Nigerian students schooling abroad, while his own children are benefiting from it.
Bayelsa East Senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, has said that it is unfair for President Muhammadu Buhari to ban forex for Nigerian students schooling abroad, while his own children are benefiting from it.
It can be revealed that in an interview with Al Jazeerah television last week, the president said Nigeria could no longer afford giving forex to Nigerians schooling abroad due to falling foreign exchange reserves.
"Those who can afford foreign education for their children can go ahead but Nigeria cannot afford to allocate foreign exchange for those who decided to train their children outside the country. We can’t just afford it. That is just the true situation," Buhari was quoted as saying.
Reacting to Buhari's comments, Bruce, who has been very critical of the current administration, said the president ought to be sensitive about the needs of the people.
"It’s awkward for a leader to say no 'forex for education for our kids schooling abroad when his own kids school abroad!. Mr. President, these are people who voted for you. You ought to be more sensitive about their need for forex for education.
"This year all tiers of government, including the presidency, will spend billions importing cars. If we can afford that, can’t we afford forex for education. What do we expect (of) parents whose kids have spent 2 years in schools abroad? Should their kids drop out after going so far?
"It’s not a matter of those who can afford it. The parents aren’t saying they can’t afford it. They’re saying they can’t get forex for education," he wrote on Facebook.
Below is his post in full;