Babatunde Adeyemi, bishop, Diocese of Anglican Communion, Cathedral Church of St. Thomas, Badagry, Lagos State, says disbursements of the students’ loan scheme under the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) should be made directly to beneficiaries.
Mr Adeyemi said during the third session of the 7th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Badagry on Sunday that this would ensure transparency and accountability of the scheme.
The theme of the Synod is “Pass It On: The Imperative of Sharing The Praiseworthy Deeds, Power and Wonders of the Lord With The Next Generation.”
“I don’t think disbursements should go through the schools; rather, they should go through the students who are collecting the loans.
“This will also enable the government to know who will be responsible for the repayment in the years to come,” the bishop said.
President Bola Tinubu, on April 3, 2024, signed into law the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2024. The law seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
Mr Adeyemi also advised that parents of beneficiaries should be involved in the process.
He, however, lauded the initiative, saying it had alleviated the financial burdens many students and their families faced.
On the theme of the Synod, the bishop urged parents to understand that they had legacies to pass to their children.
Mr Adeyemi commended the Lagos State government for executing various road projects.
He, however, decried the erratic power supply in Badagry and estimated bills given to residents, urging the federal government to look into the situation.
Similarly, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Development Goals, urged parents and leaders to motivate the younger generation with a message of hope and assurance.
“We should train them very well so that when we are old and weak, we will have peace of mind,” she said.
Elizabeth Kappo, the vice-chairman, Badagry Local Government, urged parents and guardians to pass on to their children good legacy for peace and harmony in the country.
Also, Babatunde Hunpe, the APC chairmanship candidate in Badagry Local Government, appealed to parents to be role models to their children.
(NAN)
