By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

President Bola Tinubu has voted over N86 billion for payment of school fees and upkeep of over 400,000 students across the country.

Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed this on Friday during a visit to Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi in Abakaliki.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister and his team are in Ebonyi for a tour of Federal Government projects, and citizens’ engagement with the people of the state.

According to him, over 400,000 students from all parts of the country, including Ebonyi and states in the south east region have benefited from Tinubu’s NELFUND programme.

“What the President seems to say is that he dislikes the situation, where students who have the requisite qualification to be in school, like tertiary institutions, but were not able to, because their parents or guardians are unable to pay for their fees or upkeep.

“Today, that is the tale of the past. If you get admission into any tertiary institution, you can apply to NELFUND; and you don’t even have to know anybody.

“This is one of such programmes that President Tinubu has designed for all Nigerians to participate in; you don’t have to know anybody to be a beneficiary of the programme.

“I was checking the figures before I came here. Tinubu has voted about N86 billion so far in the payment of school fees and upkeep of over 400,000 Nigerian students whose parents are unable to pay for their school fees.

“That is not the end, because Tinubu has better plans for all and he will ensure that millions of people, including those in the South-East, are empowered,” Idris said.

The minister also commended Nwifiru for providing an office space to the Nigerian Press Council to enhance their operations and deliver on their mandate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister’s entourage include Special Advisers to the President, and all heads of Federal Government’s media organisation.

Others are the President of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku, National Presidents of RATTAWU, NUJ and other stakeholders.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba