By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
Federal lawmakers from the South-East geopolitical zone have urged the management of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to include students of the higher institutions within the region among the beneficiaries of the students’ loans being disbursed by the agency.
The appeal was made by the South-East Caucus in the National Assembly through a statement jointly signed by their leaders, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Hon Igariwey Enwo.
The statement noted that students of the higher institutions in the South East have yet to benefit from the about N3bn already disbursed by NELFUND to 27,667 from 19 institutions in the country.
They, therefore, urged indigent students from the region to apply, following the necessary procedure.
Part of the statement read, “The attention of the South East caucus of the National Assembly has been drawn to the glaring absence of beneficiaries from South East tertiary institutions in the list of beneficiaries of the students’ loan being disbursed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
“With a total of N2,946,927,155 already disbursed to 27,667 from 19 institutions in the country, South East higher institutions were conspicuously missing from the list.
“In its defence, NELFUND has stated that the absence of beneficiaries from South East institutions was because even though verification lists have been sent to all schools, South East institutions are yet to respond to their request to verify the lists sent to them.
“Consequently, the South East caucus of the National Assembly, wishes to urge tertiary institutions in the South East to comply with the verification request by NELFUND, so that our children can benefit from this national programme.
“We also wish to encourage all South East students who need this support to ensure they apply. This is important as it can help ameliorate some challenges limiting access to higher education, which we must all agree is critical to self-development and growth.
“It is important that as a people, we do not intentionally marginalise ourselves from opportunities open to all Nigerians.
“Those opportunities are our right, and we must, like others, demand for what rightfully belongs to us.”
