Why we exclude private varsity students from loan scheme – FG

The management of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has stated that students from private tertiary institutions are not included in the Student Loan Scheme because the loan is meant for indigent students.

The Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr who spoke during an interactive session with journalists under the umbrella of the Education Writers’ Association (EWAN), argued that any student found in private tertiary institutions in Nigeria cannot be said to be poor.

He added that though President Bola Tinubu’s desire was for all students in Nigerian tertiary institutions to benefit from the loan, the loan is targeted at indigent students to ensure their access to higher education.

“I met with the President and he asked similar questions because of his belief that every Nigerian child whose parents’ taxes form the sources of the loan should benefit.

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“But we cannot say because the taxpayers are the funders and so the purpose should be defeated. Any student found in private institutions in Nigeria cannot be said to be poor,” he said.

He added that mechanisms have been put in place to identify students who truly deserve the loan.

“What we are to do is wealth redistribution and not to take from the rich to pay the rich again. We target only those who truly deserve it and we have our mechanisms to confirm this in place. Applicants’ BVN is one of such,” he said.

Sawyerr however noted that inmates from correctional service’s custodial centres studying in higher institutions such as the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) are excluded because it will be difficult to offer loans to them since they are serving jail terms.

“The money is not a grant but a loan that is recoverable but how do you recover a loan from somebody serving life sentence or prolonged jail term? Even when they are out, there could be difficulties securing jobs that will enable them to repay,” he said.

Why we exclude private varsity students from loan scheme – FG

Yahaya Bello: EFCC warns against obstruction of operations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned members of the public that it is a criminal offense to obstruct its officers from carrying out their lawful duties.

The warning comes after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi State, “rescued” Yahaya Bello, his predecessor, from the siege of the commission in Abuja on Wednesday.

Chronicle NG reports that operatives of the EFCC had earlier restricted movement in and around Bello’s house situated on Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

However, after a few hours, Ododo arrived at Bello’s residence and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

Following the development, Dele Oyewale, Head Media & Publicity, of the Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, mentioned that the commission “will no longer tolerate obstruction of” their operations.

He added that culprits would henceforth be prosecuted, and they stand a possible jail term of “not less than five years” when found guilty.

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The statement reads, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wishes to warn members of the public that it is a criminal offense to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

“Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offense to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their own hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order. Regrettably, such a disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organization to obstruct its operation, as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions.”

Yahaya Bello: EFCC warns against obstruction of operations

Security men open fire to arrest Yahya Bello at Abuja residence

There were gunshots on Wednesday in Abuja when Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State was leaving the residence of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.
Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had laid siege to Bello’s residence located at Wuse Zone 4, to arrest him in connection with a fraud case.

The security operatives had to call for reinforcement with backup from the police and Department of State Services (DSS) when it was becoming clear their mission would not be actualised after many hours.

The plan was to forcefully arrest the former governor as they cordoned off the residence on Benghazi Street.

They allowed Ododo into the residence. But by time he drove out, there were hints that Bello was in the car with tinted glass.

This made the security operatives to open fire.

The EFCC, in a statement later by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, warned that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

“Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

“Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years,” it stated.