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Renewed Hope: N32b Student Loan Scheme – Tinubu kicks off payment as 164,000 students register for the program

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With a signal from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Student Loan Scheme, one of the cardinal programmes of the administration, commenced yesterday.

The N32 billion made available for the programme will be given as loans to successful applicants.

According to the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) – the agency running the scheme, 103,000 successful applications were received.

It said 164,000 students were registered between May 25 when the portal opened and July 17.

The President gave out dummy cheques to students and some vice-chancellors to symbolically kick-start the scheme.

The Student Loan Scheme is a novelty meant to make loans available to indigent students or those unable to pay their fees so that they do not drop out of school.

“No student will drop out of school again just because he has no means to pay the fee,” the President had declared while announcing the scheme.

Beneficiaries’ tuition will be paid directly to the institution, while only the stipend will be paid to successful applicants.

President Tinubu declared education as the biggest weapon against poverty and the most effective battle axe to fight insecurity.

He said: “What I believe is that education is the greatest weapon against poverty in any society.

“Without education, there is no vision, there is no development, you cannot successfully conquer insecurity.

“Education is that light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how sluggish you move, it will give you the light and the hope.

“We are investing; we don’t want to try ignorance as an alternative, we want education from foundations to the topmost level.

“Today (yesterday), I am fulfilling one of my greatest campaign agendas. You cannot find your way if you are not well educated, you cannot even fight terrorism and banditry.

“If we have a successful inclusive loan that is necessary for our people to get educated and invest in their own lives, we would have built a fair society and a promise that we will earn a banner without stain to our children.”

NELFUND’s Executive Secretary/Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr restated that the scheme aims to empower youths by removing financial barriers to their academic pursuit.

Reeling out NELFUND’s progress since the launch, Sawyerr said the Fund got key amendments to its Establishment Act on April 3, 2024, and secured dashboard metrics on May 25.

He explained that students applied for two types of loan – educational fees which are sent directly to their institutions of learning and application for upkeep fund, which serves as their monthly stipend

“Institutions collected cheques for multiple applications but students cannot get stipend unless their fees are picked by NELFUND,’’ said Sawyerr.

Sawyerr told reporters after the launch that there was a higher demand for loan from students of tertiary institutions in the North.

He attributed the trend to their proactive approach and effective networking.

However, he noted that there is growing awareness and interest by students in the South, despite initial scepticism.

The NELFUND boss added that universities have the highest demand for loans, followed by polytechnics and teacher training colleges.

He said: “Institutions in the north have been very proactive in supporting and helping their students and in providing their data to us.

‘’They seem to be very well organised in terms of networking.

“In the Southern part of the country, there’s growing awareness and there’s growing interest.

“I think there’s been a lot of scepticism, generally and I think the most sceptical parts of the country are in the South. They question everything: is it true, is it real, is it a scam?

“This disbursement programme is to say that ‘this is NO FUND, this is NELFUND.’

“We’re trying to ensure that people know that this is not a trick, it’s not a game.

“So, I think we’ll see the scepticism that you can find mainly in the Southern part begin to disappear when we start paying out.”

He added: “In terms of the three levels of institutions, the universities are the ones with the highest demand for the loans.

“It’s followed by the polytechnics and then the teacher training colleges.’’

The Executive Secretary said private institutions are excluded from the scheme because they charge higher tuition.

He thanked President Tinubu ‘’for having the vision and the courage to do what he has just done.’’

“I am sure you’ve all heard that fortune favours the brave and this courageous move will bring fortune not just to him, but to the entire nation,” he said.

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President Lucky Emonefe described the take-off of the scheme as a new dawn for students.

“Today we are excited. Nigerian students are happy that the dream has come true.

“It was once a dream; it has become an act and today is the presidential launch and disbursement,’’ he said.

Present at the launch were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen; Wale Edun (Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy), Abubakar Bagudu (Budget and Economic Planning minister), Mamman Tahiru (Education minister) and Jamila Bio-Ibrahim (Youths minister).

Chairman NELFUND board Jim Ovia thanked the President for the privilege to serve.

He referred to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, of which education is number four.

“The President has recognised that. We are all grateful to him for NELFUND,” Ovia said.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS ) Chairman Zach Adedeji, Acting Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC) Chris Mayaiki and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Chairman Ishaq Oloyede were also in attendance.

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UPDATED: Police Arrest Adeyemi Over Alleged False Claim as PFIPC Director-General in Osun

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Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State.

Adeyemi, who had been the subject of an intensive manhunt by security agencies, was apprehended following intelligence-led operations weeks after investigations into allegations about the purported federal agency’s activities.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, the suspect was arrested without incident by a team of IRT operatives and has been moved into police custody for further interrogation.

He confirmed the arrest while speaking to our correspondent in Abuja.

His arrest followed days of coordinated efforts by security operatives, who had earlier raided his family residence while tracking his whereabouts. Reports indicated that investigators questioned his family members during the search for the suspect.

Adeyemi came into national prominence after controversy erupted over the operations of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation widely described by government officials as having no legal backing or official recognition.

The controversy deepened following allegations that the suspect claimed close links with top government officials and allegedly used the platform to project influence in government circles.

Oyo police rescue abducted farmer after joint security operation
The matter also generated public attention after claims surfaced that huge sums of money were exchanged in connection with promises of government appointments. Those allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven in court.

The Presidency had earlier distanced itself from the activities of the organisation, while the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, denied any connection with the group or its activities, maintaining that neither the office nor the Presidency authorised the operations of the PFIPC.

Police investigators are expected to interrogate Adeyemi on the circumstances surrounding the establishment and operations of the organisation, the authenticity of documents allegedly used in its activities, and claims that some individuals were deceived into believing it was an official government body.

Investigators are also expected to determine whether other suspects were involved in the alleged scheme and whether additional offences, including impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, forgery and conspiracy, may have been committed.

As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue a detailed official statement on the arrest or announce possible charges against the suspect. Demographics

The arrest is, however, expected to advance investigations into one of the most controversial cases involving the alleged use of a non-existent government agency to project influence within the Presidency.

Adeyemi is expected to remain in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment before a competent court.

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Breaking : Nigerian Soldiers Kill ISWAP Cameraman, Uncover Foreign Terrorist Network in Borno

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video materials indicating the presence of three foreign facilitators, including a Palestinian Arab identified as a trainer and a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor for the terrorist group in Borno State.

The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to him, the operational success was recorded on Saturday following a failed infiltration attempt by members of ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.

The statement read, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.

“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.”

The failed attack, he said, occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.

“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” Goni said.

According to him, the attempted looting further lends credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group.

“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.

“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” he added.

He said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals further reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.

“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses,” he added.

The Army spokesman said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items during the operation.

He further stated that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal.

“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” he said.

According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care, adding that both personnel remained in stable condition.

“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre,” he said.

He added that the outcome underscored the increasing difficulty the terrorists faced in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East,” he assured.

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BREAKING: Security Forces Rescue Kidnapped Pupils, Teachers in Oyo Forest Operation

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Eight kidnappers arrested

Ibadan, Oyo State – Nigerian security agencies have successfully rescued a group of kidnapped pupils and teachers following a coordinated operation in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Photos circulating after the operation show the rescued victims gathered in a rural forest location alongside security personnel shortly after they regained their freedom.

According to available information, the victims were abducted by suspected kidnappers before security operatives launched an intensive search-and-rescue mission. The operation, carried out through coordinated efforts by security agencies, led to the safe recovery of the pupils and their teachers.

The rescued victims have since been reunited with security officials and are expected to undergo medical examinations and trauma counselling before being reunited with their families.

Authorities have not yet disclosed whether any arrests were made during the operation or if a ransom was paid. However, investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.

The successful rescue has been welcomed by residents of the area, who commended the swift response of the security agencies while calling for increased security around schools and rural communities to prevent similar incidents.

The incident once again highlights the persistent security challenges facing some parts of the country, particularly the threat of school-related kidnappings, which have raised concerns among parents, educators, and community leaders.

Security agencies have assured the public that efforts are continuing to track down the perpetrators and strengthen measures aimed at protecting schools and vulnerable communities across the country.

Further official details are expected as the authorities provide updates on the operation.

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