The Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria, Femi Gbajabiamila, has called on Nigerian students to speak up against voices condemning the Student Loan Funds policy, saying the scheme is to ensure no Nigerian student irrespective of their birth circumstances is deprived of quality education.
Gbajabiamila stated this when he received a delegation of the National Association of Nigerian Students led by its President , Lucky Emonefe, at the state House, Abuja.
The Chief of Staff affirmed the determination of President Tinubu towards the successful take-off of the scheme, hinting that the program would be launched within the next three weeks.
According to him, “Mr. President is absolutely determined that we see it through successfully.
“We are hoping it will be launched in the next two to three weeks, we are trying to dot the I(s) and the T(s) before it is launched to ensure we have policies that cannot be faulted.”
He added that the student loan scheme, when successfully launched will become part of legacies of the present administration.
Gbajabiamila solicited the support of the Nigerian students in ensuring that no indigent students who are genuinely in need of the loan is left behind.
“Now we are going to need you in the success of this policy because generally, it is a well received policy .
“It is to make sure people are not deprived of their education just because of circumstances of their birth that itself is unconstitutional.
“So when voices speak up against it we expect you to rise for support, this is something that you all support, embrace and work towards its success.”
The Chief of Staff further assured the students that government is ready to avert any looming industrial action by the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), stating that the government is currently addressing issues that concerns the union.
He added that President Tinubu had through several directives declared an end to strike by the academic unions of universities and higher institutions.
“Luckily, we have a President who is more than anybody determined that the days of strike are over and left behind. We are hoping to be able to avert the strikes,” he added.
Gbajabiamila also applauded youth representation on the Federal Executive Council saying the government is working on establishment of Youth Advisory Council that would advise the President on youth matters and other injunctions towards youth development.
“You have among you two comrades standing in for you in the cabinet. We are mauling the idea, it has not come into fruition yet. I hope it will come into fruition. We are working assiduously on Youth Advisory council that will sit time to time and advise the President on youth matters and other matters that are injunction towards youth development.”
