Nweze made this known while addressing a mammoth crowd of students during the maiden south east citizens engagement that took place at Ebonyi State University and University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State.
The Nations News Nigeria reports that, Nweze visited the Ebonyi State University, EBSU, UNN and University of Nigeria Enugu campus, UNEC to enlighten lectures/ students of the south east region on the need to participate/ apply for the federal government's education fund/ loans and other opportunities available to the academic community.
The senior special assistant to the President, Nweze called on the students in the south east region to cue into the federal government programs and should apply for the loan to enable them cushion the effects of economic hardships in the country.
According to her: "The purpose of this south east engagement is to educate Nigerian universities and students on the importance of NELFUND and why the students need the loan, What they should do to access the loan and why they should tell other Nigerian students to do what they are doing. South East have taken the forefront in a lot of things and we want to tell us that there is nothing wrong in taking the loan.
"Anything that federal government brings, let's be part of it, if it is grants, lets take it, and if it is loan let's take it and if it is money for research, let's take it. Let our universities be at the forefront and we shouldn't be last.
Nweze, emphasized that: "Today's engagement is crucial as we delve into the Nigeria Education Loan Fund(NELFUND), its objectives, eligibility criteria, and application process. This initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu's administration's efforts to address Nigeria's economic challenges through various poverty alleviation programmes. It's essential to note that these policies are still unfolding, and their effectiveness will manifest in fullness of time" she said.
Responding, the managing director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sanyerr said: "every student get opportunity to access this loan. I will fail in my job, if it only goes to one set of people and not to everybody. I am here in the South East region to plead with the students, that they must apply for this loan to enable them overcome their challenges.
"The main purpose that I'm here in the south east is to let the people of the area know that the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fulfilled an election promise, to affect many areas of the lives of Nigerian citizens, and education is one of them. And one of the program within the education, is this students loan fund. Which seeks to provide loans to students who are Nigerian, who has the capacity and ability to engage and take their education further" he stated.
In a sperate reactions, the vice chancellor of Ebonyi State University, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, however applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the students loan, which according to him, will help to tackle the rate of students dropout and reduce social vices in the country.
Also, the vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Polycarp Chigbu said: "This visit will motivate our students to participate in this program. You know that universities in Nigeria will always have their list of problems because of the economy. And this loan will help our students to solve their financial problems.
The vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria Enugu campus, UNEC, Prof. Aloysius Okolie said: "the loan will help us to reduce the burden we are facing in this university, this is because, everyday I go out searching for my friends who will come to pay school fees of the students. With this loan, I will now channel my energy in other things" he stated.
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