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July 31, 2024

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 IFMNEWS

Minister Announces ₦850m Loan for Nigerian Students Today

The Nigerian Educational Loan Fund (NELFUND) announced that it will disburse ₦850 million to institutions for fees today (Wednesday). This was disclosed by the Managing Director of the Fund, Akintunde Sawyer, during a press briefing in Abuja.

Akintunde stated, "The sum of ₦850 million will be leaving the account of NELFUND today to institutions. This is in addition to the ₦1.7 billion that has already been disbursed."

Earlier, Sawyer had revealed that the Fund had disbursed institutional fees to 20,000 students through their respective institutions. He also noted that a total of 260,000 loans, including institutional fees and upkeep, have been approved.

Approximately 1.2 million students are expected to benefit from this key initiative of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. It is worth recalling that President Tinubu approved ₦35 billion for the scheme's launch after signing the supporting legislation on April 3.

Within these institutions, 11,083 students who applied for the loans had their tuition fully paid. This financial aid is intended to enable students to focus on their studies without the burden of financial worries. By investing in these students, we are investing in the future of Nigeria.

ADDRESS BY MR AKINTUNDE SAWYERR, MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO OF THE NIGERIAN EDUCATION LOAN FUND (NELFUND) ON WEDNESDAY, 31st JULY, 2024.

It is with immense pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you today to announce a significant milestone in our collective efforts to enhance the educational landscape of our great nation.

This occasion marks a testament to our shared commitment to ensuring that higher education is accessible to all deserving Nigerians, regardless of their financial background.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the presence of the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu who is with us today on a one-day working visit.

Your presence, Honourable Minister, underscores the importance of this initiative and highlights the government’s unwavering support for the advancement of education in Nigeria. We are honored to have you here and grateful for your continuous advocacy and leadership in the educational sector.

I must also extend our Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR). His visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the advancement of education in Nigeria have driving forces behind this initiative.

Under his administration, we have seen a renewed focus on the empowerment of our youth through education, and today’s announcement is a direct result of his commitment to this cause.

Mr. President, your steadfast support and belief in the potential of Nigerian students have made this possible, and we are deeply grateful.

I am delighted to share that following Mr President’s directive, NELFUND has been able to disburse students’ institutional fees amounting to N1,172,388,340.00 for 20,000 students (100% paid) in esteemed institutions across the country.

These institutions were carefully selected based on their academic calendar. Disbursement to other institutions will be made at the beginning of their sessions to ensure a transparent and equitable distribution of resources.

July 31, 2024

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 IFMNEWS

MTN Resumes Operations After Nationwide Shutdown

Nigeria’s leading telecommunications provider, MTN, has resumed nationwide operations following a shutdown on Tuesday. The temporary closure was in response to widespread customer outrage and vandalism triggered by the disconnection of subscribers who had not linked their SIM cards to their National Identification Numbers (NINs).

On Wednesday, MTN announced its return to operations via X (formerly Twitter), confirming that its physical shops would be open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. "Y’ello customer, please note that our shops nationwide will be open today, 31 July. Operating hours: 8.00 am-3:00 pm. We are also available 24/7 to support you via digital channels," the operator stated.

Over the weekend, many subscribers found themselves unable to access their phone lines after failing to verify their NINs with their SIMs, resulting in their numbers being blocked following NIN-SIM linkage regulations. This blockage prompted thousands of subscribers to storm telecom offices on Monday, leading the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to direct telecommunications operators to immediately restore all affected lines.

In a statement signed on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the NCC explained that the directive was in response to the widespread disruption and subscriber outrage caused by the blockages.

The mandatory linkage of NINs with SIMs, initiated in December 2020, aims to enhance the country’s security and ensure an accurate SIM ownership database. Despite several deadline extensions, including the latest to July 31, 2024, many lines remain unverified.

Since December 2023, the Commission has reviewed the deadline multiple times. Initially, April 15, 2024, was set as the deadline for full network compliance, except for subscribers with four or fewer SIMs with unverified NIN details. This deadline was extended to July 31, 2024, to give consumers more time to ensure their submitted NIN details are properly verified. Despite these extensions, many phone lines are still not linked with verified NINs.

July 31, 2024

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 IFMNEWS

Organizers Reject IGP’s Proposal for Confined Protests, Insist on Street Marches

Organizers of the planned #EndBadGovernance demonstrations scheduled for August have rejected a proposal by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun for confined protests. During a meeting on Tuesday, the IGP suggested holding protests in designated areas and advised against street rallies, warning that others might plan violence in response to the demonstrations.
However, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), a lawyer representing the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups behind the nationwide protests, rejected the IGP's proposal. The virtual meeting was attended by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), other lawyers, civil society organizations, and key figures of the planned protests.
The protests, which are set to take place across all states and the capital, Abuja, in August, have gained significant traction on social media. They are a response to economic hardship, with prices of food and basic commodities soaring due to the government's policies of petrol subsidy removal and forex window unification. Despite warnings from the police, military, and Department of State Services against Kenya-style protests, and appeals from politicians fearing a repeat of the EndSARS demonstrations of October 2020, young people remain determined to proceed with the rallies.
On July 26, 2024, Adegboruwa had written to the IGP requesting police coverage for the protesters. The IGP responded on July 29, 2024, instructing senior police officers to attend to the request and subsequently requested a meeting with Adegboruwa in Abuja on July 30, 2024, to discuss further. Adegboruwa opted for a virtual meeting, involving Falana, members of the NBA, and others.
Adegboruwa outlined key locations for the protests, including Eagle Square in Abuja, Alausa Park in Lagos, Akpakpava Lane in Benin City, School of Agric in Bauchi, Rosewale Filling Station on Iwo Road in Ibadan, Maiduguri Roundabout opposite State Stadium in Damaturu, Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium in River, and Freedom Park in Osogbo.

July 30, 2024

July 30, 2024July 30, 2024 IFMNEWS

Simon Ekpa Takes Responsibility for Killing of Four Police Officers in Nigeria’s Southeast

Simon Ekpa, a controversial Biafra agitator, has claimed responsibility for the killing of four police operatives in Owerri, Imo State, in southeastern Nigeria. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Monday along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

Tony Onwumelu, a local shop owner, confirmed the attack, stating that the gunmen targeted the police at their checkpoint near Blossom Hotel, resulting in the death of four officers. In addition to the police operatives, the attackers also fatally shot a woman, a Point of Sale (PoS) machine operator, at close range.

Witnesses suggested that the attackers might be enforcing the illegal sit-at-home order, given their method of operation, and expressed concern over the increasing violence in the area.

In a post on his X handle shortly after the attack, Mr. Ekpa announced that his Biafra Defence Forces had carried out the assault, claiming to have recovered weapons from the operatives. He often refers to Nigerian security personnel as "terrorists" and demands the withdrawal of all Nigerian security forces from the Southeast.

A video clip attached to Mr. Ekpa's post showed rifles and police case files displayed by individuals who claimed to have attacked the police. The clip, however, did not reveal the faces of the speakers.

Mr. Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen, leads a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) called Autopilot and has been linked to several deadly attacks in the region. He declared a four-day sit-at-home order in the Southeast from 29 July to 2 August, excluding 1 August.

There have been numerous calls for Mr. Ekpa's repatriation to Nigeria to face charges for his role in the region's insecurity. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and other officials have urged for his extradition. The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and the Nigerian Senate have also sought cooperation from the Finnish government for his repatriation. However, the Finnish government has emphasized the need to consider Mr. Ekpa's rights as a Finnish citizen and adhere to Finnish legislation.

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Author: IFMNEWS

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