News
Student loan: Kano, Borno, Benue record highest number of applicants
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has revealed the data showing student loan applicants by state of origin.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had in July launched NELFUND.
The revised Student Loan Act 2024 was signed to remove financial barriers and make education more accessible to all Nigerian students regardless of their economic background.
The loans cover tuition, fees and maintenance costs. The repayment process starts two years after the beneficiary completes the NYSC programme.
The federal government recently allocated over N2.5 billion in student loans to over 22,000 students nationwide, with institutions in the Southeast notably absent from the list of beneficiaries.
Students from Kano and Borno States have emerged as the frontrunners in the NELFUND student loan applications.
Kano State recorded 17,122 applications out of 20,814 registered tertiary students.
Borno State followed closely with 13,798 students applying for the loan out of 16,353 registered students.
These figures were shared on NELFUND’s X account, highlighting the distribution of registered students and subsequent loan applicants by state of origin.
Benue State ranked third, with 11,754 of its 16,127 registered students applying for the student loan.
Oyo State saw 14,086 students register, with 8,990 moving forward with the application process.
In Kaduna State, 13,873 students registered, and 10,380 proceeded to apply.
Katsina State had 13,538 students register, of which 10,952 eventually applied.
Osun State registered 13,368 students, with 8,093 applying for the loan.
Kogi State saw 12,675 students register for the NELFUND student loan, with 8,400 of them proceeding to apply.
In Plateau State, 11,624 students registered, and 9,328 of them went on to submit their loan applications.
Adamawa State had 11,219 students register, of which 8,977 successfully applied for the loan.
Kwara State recorded 11,126 registrations, with 7,645 students applying for the loan.
In Taraba State, 10,699 students registered for the student loan, and 8,668 of them proceeded to apply.
Yobe State had 10,398 students register, with 8,966 going on to apply for the loan.
Ogun State saw 10,387 registrations, with 5,943 students moving forward with the application.
Akwa Ibom State recorded 9,594 registrations, with 6,525 students applying for the loan.
In Bauchi State, 8,358 students registered, and 6,517 applied for the student loan.
News
NNPC, Dangote Sign GSPA Agreement To Boost Local Production, Revamp Industrial Growth
The NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National d Gas Sale and Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has successfully executed a Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
The agreement, according to a statement signed by NNPCL spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye was undertaken by the Managing Director, NGML, Barr. Justat the Ezeala and the President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote on Tuesday at Corporate Head Office of Dangote in Falomo, Lagos State, outlines the supply of natural gas for power generation and feedstock at the Dangote Refinery, in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
This major milestone is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy of utilizing Nigeria’s abundant gas resources towards revamping the nation’s industrial growth and kickstarting its economic prosperity.
This development, which sees a huge investment of this nature penned with zero capital expenditure (CAPEX) outlay, has been described by many as unprecedented in the history of NGML or any gas Local Distribution Company (LDC) in the country.
Under the terms of the agreement, NGML will supply 100 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCF/D), 5OMMSCF/D being firm supply and the rest 50MMSCF/D interruptible natural gas supply to the refinery for an initial period of 10 years, with options for renewal and growth.
This collaboration is a significant step toward ensuring the operational success of the Dangote Refinery and enhancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilization.
NNPC Ltd, through NGML, its gas marketing subsidiary, continues to lead efforts in promoting the use of domestic gas to support industries and businesses nationwide.
The agreement represents a milestone for both NNPC Ltd and Dangote Refinery, aligning with their shared commitment to boosting local production and providing vital products for the benefit of all Nigerians.
It is also a further proof of NGML’S unwavering commnitment to business excellence and fulfilling NNPC Ltd’s core mandate of ensuring Nigeria’s energy security through the execution of strategic gas projects across the country.
News
Ecuador Midfielder Dies At 22 After Car Crash
Ecuador international, Marco Angulo has died at the age of 22 a month after being seriously injured in a car crash, his club has announced.
The LDU Quito midfielder had been in hospital since the incident on 7 October in the south of Ecuador’s capital Quito.
Reports in Ecuador, external said he underwent several operations and spent over a week in intensive care, before passing away on Monday night.
“With deep sorrow and sadness, we regret to have to inform you of the death of our dear player Marco Angulo,” LDU Quito, who plays in Ecuador’s top flight, said in a statement on Tuesday morning.
“We convey our condolences to his family and his loved ones.
“His passing is an irreparable loss which will leave an indelible mark in our hearts.”
Angulo’s parent club, Major League Soccer outfit FC Cincinnati, said they were “heartbroken to share” news of his death.
After a single season in the United States, Angulo joined LDU Quito on loan with an option to buy in March 2024.
Angulo made 16 appearances for the club. His last appearance came on 6 October – a day before the car crash.
He made his debut for Ecuador in November 2022, coming on as a substitute in a 0-0 draw against Iraq, and earned three caps for his country.
“The Ecuadorian Football Association expresses its deepest sympathy over the death of Marco Angulo,” a statement from the governing body read.
“Marco was not only an outstanding player but also a great team-mate. He leaves a deep sorrow in our hearts, especially in those of us who went with him on countless trips, and to training camps and matches.
“Rest in peace, Angulito.”
According to Ecuadorian reports, Independiente del Valle footballer Roberto Cabezas and a friend, Victor Carcopa, also died in the accident.
There were two other passengers in the car at the time. Their condition is unknown.
News
Many hospitalised as thugs attack PDP supporters in Ondo
At least six persons were attacked when suspected armed thugs attacked the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The violent attack on the opposition party members is coming two days before the weekend governorship election.
A chieftain of the party in the state, Adeyemi Fasoranti, named one of the victims, Olowoniyi Akinleminu, as a popular politician in the town.
Mr Fasoranti said other victims were taken to the intensive care unit of the State Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
Explaining the attack, Mr Olowoniyi said the thugs unleashed terror on the people because of the success of the party’s rally in the local government.
Another PDP chieftain, Bosede Salami, revealed that many of the opposition party members had been threatened by the suspected political thugs and cultists invited by political gladiators.
Confirming the incident, the state commissioner of police, Oladipo Abayomi, has directed the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) to launch a full-scale investigation into the incident.
Mr Abayomi, in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said a peace meeting of the leaders of the major political parties in the town had been convened.
“The case, which has escalated into violence and attempted murder, is currently under investigation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that peace is restored in the area, particularly at such a critical juncture in the state’s history.
“The CP has made it clear that the command will exercise zero tolerance towards any individual or group, whether directly or indirectly involved, who engages in or permits actions that could disrupt the peace before, during, or after the election.
“He calls on parents, community leaders, and influential figures to warn their followers, children, and loved ones to avoid any form of disruptive behaviour during this period,” the statement.
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