Katsina: The Federal Government says it has spent N2.086 billion through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for students of higher institutions across the North-West. Alhaji Mukhtar Lawal-Tsagem, Director, National Orientation Agency, Katsina State Directorate, disclosed this in Katsina on Tuesday, while highlighting the achievement of President Bola Tinubu.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Lawal-Tsagem, who disclosed this at a one-day sensitisation programme, said that the funds were disbursed to about 20,919 students of higher institutions across the North-West States. The exercise, premised on the North-West milestones, was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
Lawal-Tsagem stated that the Federal Government has made its presence felt in the zone in the areas of agriculture and security. He highlighted that in Kebbi, wheat farmers in 12 local government areas were supported via the NAGAP programme, and ginger farmers in Kaduna State received N1.6bn support. Additionally, the N2bn Yawuri Water Scheme is one of the infrastructural projects of the Federal Government in the region.
He explained that the NELFUND programme is designed to provide students of higher institutions in the country with interest-free loans to help them pay school fees and cater for their study needs. The director emphasized that one of the major functions of the ministry is to keep the general public informed about 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, encouraged the region to be grateful to the present administration for its projects. He urged the public to cultivate goodwill with the government to continue reaping the benefits of this goodwill, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between local government, state assembly/National assembly members, and the states in addressing regional issues.
