A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dino Melaye, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of misrepresenting the impact of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, on students across the country.

Melaye described NELFUND as a “haven of corruption,” alleging that billions of naira allocated to the student loan programme were not being adequately accounted for.

Speaking on the programme, the ADC chieftain challenged the Federal Government’s claim that it was paying students’ school fees through NELFUND.

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According to him, the amount he said was being given to students was inadequate to cover the cost of education in Nigerian public universities.

“The NELFUND he’s talking about—the student loan program—is a heaven of corruption.

“It is… if you see the volume of hundreds of billions allocated for that purpose, I can tell you, and I want to be sued, that the entire program is a baggage of fraud.

“And you are saying you are giving… paying students school fees? It’s a bogus lie! It’s not true,” Melaye said.

He questioned the adequacy of the reported ₦20,000 support, asking which government-owned university currently charges ₦20,000 as annual tuition.

“What NELFUND is giving to Nigerian students is ₦20,000 per student. Which government school today takes ₦20,000 annual school fees?” he asked.

Melaye noted that students are required to make payments across different semesters, arguing that the amount was insufficient to meet their educational and transportation needs.

He cited the example of a student living in Suleja and attending the University of Abuja in Gwagwalada, saying the ₦20,000 support would not even cover the student’s transportation costs for an extended period.

“You have a child who lives in Suleja and schools in the University of Abuja, that ₦20,000, at these times, cannot take him from Suleja to Gwagwalada and back home,” he said.

The ADC chieftain also questioned the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms surrounding the student loan programme and challenged NELFUND to publicly disclose the names of beneficiaries.

“What is the monitoring and evaluation? I challenge them to publish the names of Nigerian students that have benefited from that program,” Melaye said.

Panic broke out in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday after a vehicle crashed into a gas dispensary outlet at Liberty Junction on Arab Road, triggering a fire.

According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was travelling from Arab Road towards Liberty Junction when it reportedly lost control following a brake failure.

The vehicle subsequently skidded off its lane, crossed the road and plunged into the gas station, resulting in a fire outbreak.

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The fire was quickly brought under control following a coordinated response by operatives of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The occupants of the vehicle were rescued unhurt by passers-by and witnesses who responded to the incident.

However, several makeshift shops adjoining the gas outlet were destroyed in the fire.

The prompt intervention of the emergency responders helped to curtail the spread of the fire and prevent further damage.

Financial expert Nnaemeka Onyeka Obiaraeri has defended former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi against comparisons with former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, citing what he described as differences in the financial records of the two states during their respective tenures.

Obiaraeri made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday while responding to comparisons involving the two former governors.

According to him, Akwa Ibom State, under Akpabio between 2007 and 2015, received an estimated ₦2.06 trillion, which he said was equivalent to about $15.5 billion at the time.

SEE ALSO: ‘Peter Obi’s Govt Left 101 Road Projects With ₦127bn Liabilities’, Says Anambra Govt

He further claimed that the amount would be worth more than ₦21.7 trillion in today’s naira value.

Obiaraeri wrote: “AKWA IBOM STATE, UNDER GODSWILL AKPABIO, 2007 TO 2015…..

“Between 2007 and 2015, during the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio, the Akwa Ibom State Government received an estimated total revenue of approximately ₦2.06 trillion/$15.5billion…..

“In today’s naira value, Akwa Ibom under Akpabio received over N21.7trillion.”
He also claimed that Akpabio left loan obligations of $334 million, which he put at about ₦467 billion.

Obiaraeri further alleged that there were multiple EFCC files concerning Akpabio, claiming that they documented financial misconduct during his tenure.

Turning to Anambra, Obiaraeri said the state received approximately $4.06 billion, or ₦525 billion, during Peter Obi’s tenure as governor from March 14, 2006, to March 14, 2014.

He wrote: “ANAMBRA STATE UNDER PETER OBI MARCH 14, 2006 TO MARCH 14, 2014
“Total funds and revenues received by Anambra state under Peter Obi was $4.06billion/N525billion.

“In today’s naira term is N5.4trillion.”
According to Obiaraeri, Peter Obi left behind $156 million in savings invested in an investment that generated more than $43 million, bringing the total to $199.8 million.

He added that the figure amounted to approximately ₦279 billion in today’s naira value.

Obiaraeri also claimed that more than ₦36 billion, which he equated to about $240 million, was held in Treasury Bills and other short-term naira investments.

He wrote: “However, Peter Obi left behind a total savings of $156million in an investment that yielded over $43m totaling $199.8m/N279billion in today’s naira money and over N36bn/$240m in treasury bills and other short term naira investments.”

Defending the former Anambra governor against allegations of corruption, Obiaraeri stated: “Peter Obi did not loot a kobo of Anambra monies. HE HAS NO EFCC OR FBI FILES OF CRIMINALITY ON HIM….”

He also compared Obi with other governors who served around the same period, “The Only Governor in the league of PO during his time was Raji Fashola …… Anyway, I am not surprised at some of you, who do this baseless comparison…The difference between LIGHT and Darkness is so clear to DECENT men, who love LIGHT….

“THOSE WHO ARE ROGUES, AND ASPIRING ROGUES, USUALLY LOVE DARKNESS….THEIR HEART IS DARKENED AND MIGRATE TOWARDS DARKNESS ALWAYS.”

He said ‘This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil’.”

He then directly addressed those comparing the two former governors, stating: “I PUT IT TO YOU, who is mischievously comparing Apostle Peter to YOUR BARABASSES, that you are EVIL…QED.”