March 08, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian government has commenced evacuation of its nationals trapped for several days in Sumy, the besieged northeastern Ukrainian city.
The 370 Nigerian students were among over 1,400 foreign students trapped in the Ukrainian city amid shelling and bombardments by Russian forces.
The students had cried for help and amid international pressure, the Russian government agreed to open corridors for the students to leave the city.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama, in a tweet on Tuesday, praised the government of Ukraine for its efforts to ensure that the students are evacuated.
The Minister tweeted “A million thanks to the government of Ukraine @MFA Ukraine for providing the buses, and Sewa International Europe @herambk, and @Sewa_ intl @sewauk_official for their amazing facilitation and coordination.
“And our indefatigable Ambassador to Ukraine, Shina Alege for his determination and perseverance. They all delivered for our Sumy students.”
Also, the federal government said on Tuesday that arrangements had been made for the provision of accommodation in some Universities in Romania for Nigerian students who fled Ukraine to the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement, said the arrangements were for Nigerian students willing to further their education in Romania.
The Ministry, however, stated that the provision of accommodation would last for a month.
It read, “The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Bucharest, Romania wishes to notify Nigerian students fleeing the conflict in Ukraine that arrangements have been made with some Universities to provide hostel accommodation for those who wish to explore options and opportunities of furthering their education in Romania (for a period of one month).
“Whoever wishes to benefit from this opportunity should send a message to either of the following numbers: +40 749 335 927 or +40 786 091 964.”
Meanwhile, the Romanian Ministry of Education has offered Nigerian students fleeing Russia’s military bombardment in Ukraine, study opportunities in Romanian universities.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb Gabriel Aduda, who made this known in a tweet, said the development followed diplomatic arrangement between the Nigerian mission in Bucharest, the Romanian capital and some of the schools.
He also said that the Romanian government was speaking with other countries, including Poland, Greece, and Hungary to follow suit.
“Romanian Ministry of Education has offered to take in Nigerian students fleeing Ukraine to study in their universities. We are also in talks with Poland, Hungary and Greece to do the same.
“We are discussing processes to seamlessly achieve this and have Nigerian students fixed up as soon as possible. Modalities will be announced shortly by the Ministry of Foreign Affair,” the tweet read.
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