The
management of the Nigerian-Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) says
the government of Turkey is insulting Nigeria by requesting the closure
of its schools in the country.
Senator Shehu Sani (R) with Ambassador of Turkey, Ambassador Hakan Cakil
We earlier reported
that the Nigerian ambassador to Turkey, Hakan Cakil, on Thursday,
called on the President Buhari-led federal government to close 17
Turkish schools in Nigeria over alleged link with a movement involved in
the failed coup attempt in Turkey.
The ambassador disclosed that investigations by the Turkish
government, linked the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organisation (FETO) to
the failed coup attempt, which claimed over 300 lives.
He said the Turkish government was dissociating itself from any
school bearing the country’s name in Nigeria, adding that while the
country had schools in other countries, it had none in Nigeria.
In a swift reaction through a statement on Friday, Orhan Kertim,
managing director of the Nigerian-Turkish International Colleges (NTIC),
described the request of the Turkish government as baseless and
unfounded, saying that although the NTIC schools in Nigeria are Turkish
in name, they are actually Nigerian in deeds.
“The NTIC is not a Turkish government-run institution, but a privately funded institution by a group of Turkish investors.
“As a responsible organisation operating in Nigeria since 1998,
we are conversant with the laws of the land and we have to the best of
our ability abided by these stipulations.
“The call therefore by the Turkish ambassador is not only baseless, but it is also unfounded and of poor taste.
“Nigeria is a sovereign country and call by the Turkish
ambassador is not only an affront on the sovereignty of the Nigerian
nation, but a display of crass ignorance.
“The NTIC schools in Nigeria are Turkish in name, but Nigerian
in deeds. We are partners in progress as evident in all our activities
since 1998,” he said.
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