Igariwey Assures South East Students of Inclusion in NELFund

Hon. Enwo Igariwey, representing the Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives, assured South East students that they would not be excluded from the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund). His statement came during an on-the-spot assessment of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-funded Engineering Laboratory at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

Igariwey, a member of the House Committee on Banking Regulations, alongside Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, is working to ensure that South East students benefit from the NELFund. He emphasized the importance of participation in federal programs and urged students to apply for the loan to avoid complaints about exclusion.

“We should embrace every program of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because South East is a very important component of this country. The students’ loan is for the students. If the students are expected to apply, let them apply before we start complaining that we are not benefiting from it,” Igariwey stated.

He expressed satisfaction with the progress of the CBN-funded project at ESUT but highlighted the need for proper equipment and maintenance of the laboratory to meet its objectives. Igariwey underscored the significance of engineering and technology in addressing national challenges.

Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, Vice Chancellor of ESUT, noted that South East students had not been among the first beneficiaries of the NELFund despite completing verification requirements. Concerns were also raised by faculty members, including Dr. Fidelis Inyiama, about the lack of essential amenities such as electricity and water, which are affecting the laboratory’s functionality.