Kalu Assures S/East Of Inclusion In Student Loan program

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has assured all students from the South-East geopolitical zone of inclusion in the Federal Government’s student loan programme.

This assurance follows concerns raised by the South-East Caucus in the National Assembly over the region’s exclusion after the Nigerian Education Loan Fund released the list of institutions eligible for the loan nationwide.

In a statement in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the deputy speaker revealed that his office had engaged with the authorities responsible for the student loans and expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved in the coming days.

“During these engagements, it was identified that low student registration from the South-East and errors in completing relevant forms, such as missing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board results, were the primary reasons for the region’s exclusion”.

According to the Statement, the affected institutions in the South-East have since taken steps to address these issues.

“The governors of the region are also actively involved in increasing the number of participating students, and members of the National Assembly have been encouraged to reach out to their constituents for immediate compliance.”

To raise awareness, the deputy speaker’s office has initiated measures, including the production of jingles in English, Igbo, and Pidgin English, which will be broadcast on various radio stations across the region.

Kalu urged institutions to encourage their students to apply for loans and called on stakeholders to set up community registration points to increase participation.

“The governors are also working to ensure more students participate, and members of the House of Representatives and Senate from the South-East have been tasked with reaching out to their constituents for immediate compliance,” Kalu stated.

He appealed for patience among South-East students and residents, assuring them that the necessary steps are being taken to resolve the issue.

PR Oduyemi Odumade