Katsina (Nigeria): The Federal Government’s significant investment of N2.086 billion through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has provided crucial financial support to students of higher institutions across the North-West, making higher education more accessible and affordable.
Alhaji Mukhtar Lawal-Tsagem, Director of the National Orientation Agency in Katsina State, disclosed that the funds were disbursed to approximately 20,919 students of higher institutions across the North-West States on Tuesday, highlighting the achievements of President Bola Tinubu.
The exercise, premised on the North-West milestones, was meticulously organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, demonstrating the government’s commitment to transparency and public engagement.
According to him, the Federal Government has made its presence felt, at least in the zone, in the areas of agriculture and security.
Lawal-Tsagem said. In Kebbi, wheat farmers in 12 local government areas were supported via the Nigerian Agricultural Growth and Prosperity (NAGAP) programme, a government initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and income for farmers.
” Ginger Farmers in Kaduna State received N1.6bn support. “The N2bn Yawuri Water Scheme is one of the infrastructural projects of the Federal Government in the region.
“NELFUND programme, where students of higher institutions in the country receive interest-free loans that will help them pay school fees and cater for their study needs.”
The director hinted that one of the primary functions of the ministry was to keep the general public informed about the government programmes, activities, and policies, as well as mobilising them to support and appreciate the same.
Adamu Muhammed, a lecturer at the Department of Public Administration, Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, in a paper presentation, said the region should continue to be grateful to the present administration for its laudable project.
“I want to call on them to cultivate goodwill with him and his government so that the region can continue to reap the benefits of this goodwill.
“Reaping the dividends of democracy, and for them to also show competitive citizenship.
“It’s not every problem you run to the federal government, you have the local government, state assembly/National assembly members, and the states, but you cannot join your hands together and do it.
“And it is a problem. You have people representing the popular masses at the grassroots being given hundreds of millions every year, and they are squandering the money doing nothing”, he said.