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Students Loan Scheme: Knocks as FG fails to meet January deadline

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In June 2023, President Bola Tinubu ratified legislation enabling interest-free educational loans for Nigerians pursuing tertiary education.

Following this, the government pledged that Nigerian students could access these loans starting January 2024.

Tinubu assured students that perpetual strikes would soon be eradicated, emphasizing the significance for the future of students.

The Access to Higher Education Act, also known as the Students Loan Act of 2023, established an Education Loan Fund to support Nigerians in funding their higher education, with repayments beginning two years after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.

Initially proposed in 2016 by Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the bill gained traction in the National Assembly in November 2022 after being reintroduced in 2019.

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In December 2023, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, confirmed the imminent implementation of the Students Loan Scheme, emphasizing its online accessibility.

However, as January passed without the scheme’s launch, hope dwindled for its commencement.

Chinoso Obasi, a former National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), expressed concern over the government’s failure to implement the scheme as promised, suggesting that the announcement might have been a ploy for public approval.

Obasi noted that despite the allocated budget of N50 billion for 2024, the scheme had yet to materialize. He also highlighted the scheme’s history, its origins in the 2014 National Confab, and the government’s lack of acknowledgment for such initiatives.

NANS President Lucky Emonefe criticized government officials for neglecting to consult student leaders, stressing the necessity of such collaboration for effective implementation.

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Driver dies as vehicle crashes into White House gate

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The U.S. Secret Service has said that a driver died after a vehicle traveling at high speed collided with a gate at the White House.

In a statement via X on Sunday, the federal law enforcement agency, said shortly before 10:30 p.m. (1430 GMT) on May 4th, the vehicle crashed into an outer perimeter gate on the White House complex.

“Security protocols were implemented as officers cleared the vehicle,” it said, adding that “there was no threat to the White House.”

The chief of Communications for the agency, Anthony Guglielmi in a post on X, said limited traffic closures remain in effect as the agency and the local police department investigate the incident.

CREDIT: DAILY POST

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Nigerian govt moves to reduce multiple security personnel at airports

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The Nigerian government has announced its intention to decrease the frequency of security checks at the country’s airports. This initiative comes as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) collaborates with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to streamline security procedures at Nigerian airports.

Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director of FAAN, revealed this development over the weekend, citing the proliferation of multiple security checks as a significant concern in Nigeria.

Kuku explained that FAAN and the NSA have reached an agreement to address this issue. She expressed frustration over the excessive checks, stating that it was among her first priorities upon assuming office. She highlighted past efforts dating back to 2011 and 2012, during her tenure in the industry, where similar discussions were held with former ministers.

Kuku outlined the collaborative efforts involving various agencies such as Customs, NDLEA, Quarantine, Agriculture, and EFCC, noting the previous Executive Order 001 issued during the Buhari administration to streamline operations. She mentioned ongoing dialogues with the NSA over the past five weeks to develop strategies for enhancing facilitation.

The short-term intervention aims to reduce the number of agencies present at airports, particularly those conducting routine checks that disrupt passengers. This approach seeks to streamline security procedures while maintaining effectiveness.

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Only PhD students eligible to bring dependants to UK – Envoy

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The United Kingdom (UK) has clarified that only international students enrolling in Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs are permitted to bring their dependents into the country.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He explained that the recent policy alteration in the educational system, preventing international students in higher education from bringing dependents to the UK, aimed to address the rising number of foreign students doing so.

Montgomery emphasized that the significant increase in dependents was creating unsustainable pressure on many universities, leading to the introduction of these changes. Prior to his tenure as High Commissioner to Nigeria, he had engaged with universities regarding this policy adjustment, which had been under consideration for some time.

The envoy highlighted concerns expressed by university Chancellors about the challenges posed by large student populations, including accommodation shortages, access to healthcare services through the National Health Service, and schooling for dependents.

He clarified that the restrictions did not apply universally, noting that individuals pursuing long-term research degrees such as a PhD or doctorate remained unaffected.

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Montgomery underscored the rationale behind the policy change, emphasizing its practicality given the UK’s extensive higher education sector, with many universities situated across various towns in the country.

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