By Hajara Leman

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday, said that the Federal Government’s interest-free loan under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is reducing dropout amongst undergraduates in the country.

Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the NOA Director-General, stated this in Gombe at a news conference on five thematic areas of the present administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Issa-Onilu spoke through Mr David Akoji, the Director Special Duties, NOA Headquarters, Abuja.

He reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to improving access to education at all levels and ensuring that “financial constraints do not prevent young Nigerians from pursuing higher learning.”

Issa-Onilu said NELFUND was established by the Tinubu administration to ensure that no Nigerian who qualified to go for tertiary education was prevented from doing so, as a result of inability to pay school fees.

According to him, funding which used to be the biggest challenge in accessing tertiary education is no longer a threat to undergraduates and students seeking higher education.

The director-general said the administration of President Tinubu had disbursed N59 billion to over 600,000 students that have applied for NELFUND Student Loan.

The director-general assured that the era of students leaving tertiary institutions without completing their degree as a result of financial constraints was over.

He stated that the initiative showed that the Tinubu-led administration was committed to improving the wellbeing and welfare of Nigerians by empowering young Nigerians with education and skills.

Issa-Onilu urged students in Gombe State who have financial challenges to embrace the initiative to ease the burden, stressing that the loan scheme “is available to all qualified Nigerians who are schooling in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”

Speaking on the thematic areas Issa-Onilu said they include: Government Policies, Programmes and Activities, the Nigerian Identity Project and National Symbols, and flood mitigation.

He cited others as National Security Awareness towards achieving improved security consciousness in communities and National Values Re-orientation for Students of Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions against sign-out extreme practices.

He also announced plans by the Federal Government to support 150, 000 youths across Nigeria under the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), adding that N110 billion had been dedicated to implement the initiative.

The director-general further expressed the commitment of Tinubu’s administration to impacting positively on the wellbeing of all Nigerians especially the poor and vulnerable households.

On government programmes, Issa-Onilu hinted that over 2 million households enrolled into the Social Safety Nets Expansion, had benefitted from the Conditional Cash Transfer.

He said: “Trader Moni and Farmer Moni were introduced through the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP). These are interest-free loans of up to a maximum of N100,000 for Trader Moni, while, Farmer Moni up to N300,000.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal

Abdullahi Mohammed

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has approved stipends of N250,000 for fathers and N50,000 for mothers of 90 students in Gajiganna Town.

He announced this on Friday during the inauguration of the Higher Islamic College, Gajiganna, also approving free daily meals for all enrolled students.

“We will approve N250,000 for each father and N50,000 for each mother. Every student will receive N50,000 to meet essential needs,” Zulum stated.

The governor said the support and meals were designed to boost school enrolment in northern Borno, devastated by over a decade of insurgency.

“We must take deliberate steps to promote education in northern Borno. This is the only region yet to achieve adequate educational development,” Zulum explained.

He noted that Gajiganna, with a population of 50,000, had only 90 secondary school students, describing the figure as alarming and demanding urgent attention.

“It is imperative these 90 students complete their studies. Their success would represent significant progress for education in northern Borno,” the governor said.

He stressed that the state aimed to provide Sangaya learners with essential knowledge and skills to thrive in today’s competitive world.

“Our institutions operate under a curriculum approved by NBAIS, blending Islamic scholarship with Science, Mathematics, Technology and English,” Zulum said.

He added that reforms were balancing Sangaya’s traditional values with modern subjects and vocational training, safeguarding Islamic learning while fostering contemporary development.

The governor also declared that Government Day Secondary School, Gajiganna, would serve as a referral centre for pupils completing primary education in the town.

Zulum further directed that daily meals be provided in higher Islamic colleges and schools with poor enrolment across the state.

Earlier, Commissioner for Education, Mr Lawan Wakilbe, commended Zulum for constructing 104 mega schools within six years, describing the achievement as remarkable and visionary.

He revealed that 35 additional mega schools were at various stages of construction, excluding those already advertised but yet to commence.

The event was attended by Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Sen. Kaka Shehu Lawan, and several federal and state lawmakers.

Also present were Speaker of the Borno House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, APC Chairman Bello Ayuba, and senior government officials including Alh. Bukar Tijani.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the college will blend Sangaya’s Almajiri system with formal education for holistic learning.

NAN also reports that 20 similar colleges had been established across local governments to provide Almajiri with literacy and vocational skills. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has called on government to take practical steps to restructure the education system to meet with current global demands.

The non-governmental organisation, propelled by the desire to have a more transparent and accountable government, said such restructuring will
enable students to excel.

Mrs Lucy Abagi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre, made the call in Abuja, when she received a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the students’ delegation presented Abagi with honorary award of excellence for her contributions in aiding good governance.

Abagi specifically called on government at all levels to create the platforms for Nigerian students to explore in line with global demands.

“Nigerian youths are talented and innovative. They are not lazy.

“The governments must wake up to their responsibilities and take practical steps to support them in achieving their dreams.

“It must not be in paper alone, prompt and practical steps must be taken to address this,” she said.

Abagi decried the poverty level in the country, contending that many homes cannot afford daily square meal.

“Many Nigerian students are equally struggling to pay their school fees and survive in schools,” she said.

On the award, Abagi noted that the recognition was a clear declaration by the students union, that transparency is not optional.

“Your voices, courage, strength and persistence remind us that the struggle for accountability is not for the future, it is for today.

“By choosing to place transparency and good governance at the centre of your aspirations, you are affirming that sustainable development, justice and prosperity cannot exist without openness and accountability.

“This award, therefore, is not just a title, but a clarion call to action,” she said.

Presenting the award earlier, the Chairperson, National Association of University Students (NAUS), FCT Chapter, Comrade Salamatu Dawood, said it was in recognition of Abagi’s advocacy for justice, transparency and accountability.

Also speaking, Comrade Sadiq Zango, the National Director of Research and Innovation, NANS Secretariat, said the award was a recognition of the PPDC’s contributions to good governance and accountability. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi