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NEFGAD: Students Loan Unsustainable, Harmful to Nigerian Youth
NEFGAD: Students Loan Unsustainable, Harmful to Nigerian Youth
By: Michael Mike
The Network for Social Growth and Actualization of Viable Development (NEFGAD) has criticized the Students Loan Bill of President Bola Tinubu, describing it as unsustainable and injurious to the country’s development.
The group in a statement signed by its head of office, Mr Akingunola Omoniyi and made available to newsmen in Abuja at the weekend maintained that the series of postponements and uncertainties around the launch of the scheme showed that the idea is weak and looking more like a mere campaign slogan that should have ended with the 2023 general elections.
Akingunola said the bill is anti-development and psychologically harmful to Nigetian youth, while further stating that the policy lacks adequate support system necessary for efficient operations, and will end up killing the morale, drive and esteem of Nigerian youth at the long run.
He noted that since the hope of gainful employment remains the only collateral for the loan, government should first address the challenges of unemployment/underemployment and be certain that loan takers have high assurance of gainful employment after graduating from school before commiting them to employment-tied loan repayment plan, unless the government intend to breed high population of insolvent citizens.
He said that: “A country with over 40% unemployment rate and more under-employed should expect over 50% students loan defaulters rate, hence putting over 50% of a country’s supposed productive youth population automatically under perpetual burden and stigma of insolvency is retrogressive and detrimental to the aspirations of a developing nation.
Unlike Nigeria, in countries where such policies work, governments of those countries have proper employment and retirement plans for their citizens right from their day of birth.
He decried that the Students Loan Scheme if allowed to stand will further worsen the situations of nigerian youth and render them more distressed by combining the trauma of joblessness with the burden of insolvency.
Akingunola admonished President Tinubu and the National Assembly that if at all the bill must succeed they should ensure that a robust and sustainable job creation strategies and frameworks are in place before considering such a delicate proposal.
He however canvassed for the conversation of the Loan to grants for deserving indigent students instead and rather than creating an entirely new agency/board for the Fund at a time that the country is considering the implementation of the Steve Oronsanye report in order to reduce overbloated size of government, the extant law establishing the National Scholarship Board can be strengthened to administer the fund, he advised.
NEFGAD: Students Loan Unsustainable, Harmful to Nigerian Youth
Troops Arrest Suspected Military Impostor in Katsina
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of 17 Brigade have arrested a suspected military impostor during a fighting patrol in Malumfashi Local Government Area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect was apprehended at about 1:30 p.m. on July 4 by troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi while conducting routine patrols within Malumfashi town.
According to the sources, the suspect was intercepted while wearing a woodland camouflage three-quarter short, raising suspicion among the troops.
A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of a fake Nigerian Army identity card, four Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, one woodland camouflage three-quarter short, a wristwatch and the sum of ₦17,000.
The suspect and the recovered exhibits are currently in military custody pending further investigation.
Military sources said the arrest forms part of ongoing efforts to curb impersonation of security personnel and other criminal activities within the area.
Troops Arrest Suspected Military Impostor in Katsina
Troops Recover 50 Rustled Cattle, Repel Suspected Rustlers in Kaduna
By Zagazola Makama
Troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kankomi have recovered 50 rustled cattle after repelling suspected cattle rustlers during an ambush operation in Chikun Local Government Area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops responded to a distress call at about 9:55 a.m. on July 4 over the activities of suspected rustlers at Ungwan Gontu community.
According to the sources, the troops swiftly laid an ambush and made contact with the fleeing suspects, forcing them to abandon the stolen livestock and escape into the surrounding area.
During the operation, the troops recovered 50 rustled cattle, which were subsequently identified and handed over to their rightful owner.
Military sources said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects as security operations continue to combat cattle rustling and other criminal activities across Kaduna State.
Troops Recover 50 Rustled Cattle, Repel Suspected Rustlers in Kaduna
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist in Kogi, Suspect Confesses to Group Membership
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of 12 Brigade, in collaboration with Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Hybrid Forces, have arrested a suspected terrorist during an operation in Lokoja Local Government Area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops responded at about 1:00 p.m. on July 4 to reports of a confrontation between local residents and a suspected terrorist at a Ruga settlement behind Obajana community.
According to the sources, the troops swiftly intervened and arrested one suspect at the scene.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of a terrorist group led by an individual identified as Haruna, which allegedly operates within the Okene general area.
The suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing further investigation to establish the extent of his involvement and identify other members of the group.
Military sources said the arrest forms part of ongoing security operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and criminal networks across Kogi State.
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist in Kogi, Suspect Confesses to Group Membership
Troops Arrest Suspected Military Impostor in Katsina
Troops Recover 50 Rustled Cattle, Repel Suspected Rustlers in Kaduna
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist in Kogi, Suspect Confesses to Group Membership
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