FG Train Over 500,000 South-South Region Student Leaders

Federal Government of Nigeria has train over 500,000 student leaders from the South – South region in Renewed Hope Student Leaders Engagement and Capacity building program, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on students engagement Hon Asefon Sunday said that the Programe is aimed at engaging the student leaders government and key stakeholders in the education sector.

Comr Sunday said this yesterday during the day one part of the program capacity building at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said that the training, theme “Renewed Students Engagement” Rivers 2025, is aimed at strengthen the bridge between government and students.

He explained that the Students engagement training is
creating a platform for student leaders to interact directly with policymakers and stakeholders in the education and youth sector.

According to him their mission is to engage student leaders meaningfully, inform them about the far-reaching reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in education and youth development, and hear from them directly.

SSA to President said that by the training they will work towards building a more inclusive, impactful, and prosperous future for Nigerian students.

“The Renewed Hope Student Leaders Engagement was proudly organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement in partnership with the Rivers State Government.

“I must specially appreciate President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a leader who understands that education is the foundation of national development.

” The launch of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as make education accessible and affordable for Nigerian students.

” Also, the scheme has significantly reduced the number of students dropping out of tertiary institutions for the past two years.

“Just, this Monday, the President approves the allocation of Funds to 15 school bot college of Education, polytechnic and University to create innovation hubs and entrepreneurship center, to provide core labs/ workstation to cover electronic Lab, 3D printing Lab Leser Technology Lab, production Design lab, Robotics and coding, Artificial intelligence, among others.

“The introduction of the Students Industrial Work Experience. Grant provides for both financial support and practical exposure to students.

“Yet, we know there are still opportunities that students are not tapping into in various MDAs and Ministries not because they do not exist but, because the awareness is low” Comr Sunday said.

He also appreciated Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, for his unwavering support for the program.

“Not only did he approve that Rivers State should host the programme, but he also provided logistics support to ensure the program is successful.

” His passion for youth empowerment and education is commendable” he said.

Also speaking the Managing Director of Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) Akintunde Sawyer disclosed that over 80 billion naira has been disbursed to Nigerian institutions with over 745,000 students successfully applying for loan.

“Over 400,000 students have benefited from the loan scheme in the tertiary level while some of them who as applied for their upkeep have received #20, 000 per month for the session.

“So far we have 760,000 Nigerian who has registered for the loan, and we have over 745,000 Nigerian who has apply successfully for the loan” Sawyer said.

Meanwhile a student of University of Port Harcourt department of Health Promotion, Environmental Safety Education Noble Bariduanee called on government and stakeholders to focus more on creating awareness of different scheme for students, as many are unaware of these opportunities.