Payment Process for Npower Beneficiaries Will Begin After The Senate Concludes Its Recess

 According to recent updates from Npower News, the payment process for Npower beneficiaries will begin after the Senate concludes its recess. This was discussed during a 50-minute live session on Facebook with Npower officials, including the National Chairman, Abdulrahaman Ibrahim, Publicity Secretary Adeshina A. Adex, and Comrade Kehinde James, the Npower Chairman for Niger State.

During the session, Comrade Kehinde James mentioned that he visited the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and met with the Personal Assistant to the Permanent Secretary. He was informed that the Director of the office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSIPA had approved the payment, but the delay was due to the fact that the Senate has not yet verified the new CEO of NSIPA. The Senate is expected to resume from recess on either the 16th or 19th of this month, after which the payment process will begin.

Comrade Kehinde James also shared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had frozen the payments due to ongoing investigations, but the stipends would be released once the new CEO, Dr. Badamasi Lawal, assumes office. The ministry is aware of the removal of GMB due to his autocratic leadership style. He further clarified that only Npower batch C stream 2 beneficiaries would receive payments, as batch C stream 1 had already been paid.

Regarding media engagement, Comrade Kehinde James explained that arranging an interview with Brekete Radio has been difficult, requiring an affidavit and waiting for their turn due to the high number of pending requests. He also approached Arise TV and Channels TV for interviews, but was informed that it would cost 200,000 Naira since they are privately owned. As a result, the National Association of Npower Beneficiaries is considering using NTA, a government-owned media outlet, due to its cost-effectiveness.

The session concluded with Comrade Kehinde James, Adeshina A. Adex, and Abdulrahaman Ibrahim stating that all internal disputes within the association have been resolved. They assured that payments will commence once the frozen funds are released by the EFCC under the authority of the new CEO of NSIPA, Dr. Badamasi Lawal, following his Senate screening.

The National Association of Npower Beneficiaries Has Reached Out To Several Media Outlets To Seek Their Involvement Regarding The Unpaid Stipends

The National Association of Npower Beneficiaries has reached out to various media outlets, including Channels TV, Arise TV, and Brekete Radio, to request a platform to discuss their unpaid stipends, which have been delayed for 9-12 months, according to Npower News. The association hopes that this approach will help bring their concerns to the attention of the Presidency and lead to the lifting of the suspension on the Npower program, allowing all beneficiaries nationwide to receive their overdue payments.

The suspension was implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January 2024, following allegations of misappropriation of public funds within the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Since then, the program has remained on hold, and beneficiaries across the country are appealing to the President to revoke the suspension to enable them to receive their stipends.

Additionally, the National Chairman of the Npower Niger State Chapter, Comrade Kehinde James, plans to visit the Office of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation tomorrow to ensure that the letter submitted by the association is approved and a meeting with the Ministry is arranged.

"Npower News: National Chairman to Meet New CEO in Katsina; Follow-Up Actions Planned"

 "Npower News: National Chairman to Meet New CEO in Katsina; Follow-Up Actions Planned"

In a recent 54-minute live broadcast, Comrade Abdulrahaman Ibrahim, the National Chairman of Npower Beneficiaries, along with Npower Publicity Secretary Adeshina A. Adex and the National Chairman of Npower Niger State, announced plans to meet with the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Dr. Badamasi Lawal, in Katsina State. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss ongoing issues related to Npower payments. 

The National Chairman emphasized that this meeting is crucial for ensuring that the new CEO is fully informed about the number of Npower beneficiaries who have yet to receive their stipends and to convey the urgency of the situation. Additionally, the National Chairman stated that he would accompany Dr. Badamasi Lawal to his Senate screening.

The National Chairman also addressed internal challenges within the association, mentioning that some executives who attempted to undermine the association have been removed, as well as individuals spreading false information. He further cautioned that no Npower beneficiary should be asked to make any donations or contributions for any reason.

According to Npower News, Comrade Kehinde James, the Npower Chairman for Niger State, expressed concern about the lack of response from the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to a letter sent two weeks ago. He plans to follow up with the Ministry on Monday. When asked about solutions for previous payment delays, Comrade Kehinde James stated that if the Ministry does not make payments within two weeks after their meeting with the Permanent Secretary, the National Association will consider litigation, possibly involving Amnesty International or the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), following a one-day demonstration.

Responding to a suggestion from a concerned Npower beneficiary about contacting Brekete Radio, Comrade Kehinde James confirmed that the association has already reached out to Brekete Radio, Arise TV, and Channels TV and is awaiting responses from these media outlets.

Npower Batch C beneficiaries are currently owed payments for 9 to 12 months, despite having fulfilled their duties at their assigned workplaces. They are pleading with the President to lift the suspension on the Npower program so that they can receive their overdue stipends.

Npower News: Adeshina A. Adex, the Npower Publicity Secretary, Announces His Trip to Abuja

According to Npower News, the Npower Publicity Secretary, Adeshina A. Adex, is currently en route to Abuja, where he will meet with fellow Npower chairmen, including Comrade Kehinde James of Niger State and Comrade Godfrey Agasi of Benue State. Adeshina A. Adex has requested prayers and well-wishes as he and his colleagues head to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to address issues related to Npower payments. In an attached video, Adeshina A. Adex is seen beginning his journey to Abuja, as he previously announced. Npower Batch C beneficiaries are optimistic and hopeful that this trip will bring positive outcomes, eagerly awaiting updates from these dedicated comrades.

Npower Update: Meeting Scheduled with Ministry and Media in Abuja

Npower News reports that Adeshina A. Adex, the National Publicity Secretary of Npower Beneficiaries, has announced in a live session that he will travel to Abuja tomorrow. His visit will include meetings with key officials from the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, including the Permanent Secretary, as well as several media outlets.

Adeshina A. Adex confirmed that the former CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency remains in regular contact with the new CEO, Dr. Badamasi Lawal, to ensure the timely processing of Npower payments.

Adeshina A. Adex will be joined by other members of the National Association of Npower Beneficiaries, including Mr. Kehinde James, National Chairman of Npower Niger State, Godfrey Agasi, National Chairman of Npower Beneficiaries, Benue State, and other Npower representatives based in Abuja. Together, they will engage directly with Ministry officials to discuss Npower issues.

Npower News: The Former National Chairman Of Npower Addressing Npower Batch C Beneficiaries

In a video that surfaced yesterday, the former National Chairman of Npower beneficiaries GMB, was seen addressing Npower batch c beneficiaries.

Watch Video below.

NELFUND Explains South-East Exclusion from Recent Loan Disbursements

 

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has clarified why South-East institutions were not included in the recent loan disbursements for tertiary institutions.

NELFUND, established under the Higher Education Act 2023, provides loans to assist low-income Nigerians with their tuition fees. There had been claims that South-East institutions were omitted from the loan distribution.

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) criticized the exclusion and accused the National Assembly’s education committees of not addressing the issue.

NELFUND spokesperson Nasir Ayitogo responded, stating that geopolitical zones are not considered in the disbursement process. He explained that the South-East institutions were not included because they did not respond to NELFUND’s verification requests. 

Ayitogo noted that NELFUND had sent a verification list to eligible institutions to confirm student details but had not received responses from some, including those in the South-East. As a result, payments were only made to institutions that completed the verification process.

In July, NELFUND initially listed 36 institutions for disbursement, including two from the South-East: Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University and Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. An updated list in August increased the South-East institutions to nine, including Abia State University and Ebonyi State University.

Despite the update, none of the South-East institutions received funds from the latest disbursement, prompting the South-East caucus of the National Assembly to urge compliance with NELFUND’s verification process to facilitate future loan distributions.

Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Lanre Laoshe, has repaid a student loan of N3.18 million

Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Lanre Laoshe, has repaid a student loan of N3.18 million 45 years after initially borrowing from the government, according to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

NELFUND spokesperson Nasir Ayitogo announced that Laoshe, who took out a loan of N1,200 in 1979, has fully repaid it with interest. Laoshe expressed his gratitude for the financial assistance he received from the now-defunct Federal Government Student Loan Scheme during his studies.

To determine the current value of the original loan, Laoshe consulted historical exchange rate data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In 1979, the exchange rate was $1.00 = N0.596, making the N1,200 loan equivalent to $2,013.42. With the current exchange rate of $1.00 = N1,583.98, the equivalent repayment amount today is N3,189,217.00.

Laoshe issued a bank draft for this amount to NELFUND, expressing his appreciation to the Federal Government. The revised Student Loan Act of 2024 aims to improve accessibility to education for all Nigerian students by addressing financial barriers and will be supported by various funding sources, including taxes, natural resource profits, education bonds, and contributions from individuals and organizations.

Npower News: Feedback Received From The Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation

Npower News reports that in a live session with the Npower Publicity Secretary, Adeshina A. Adex, it was revealed that the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is aware of the concerns raised by the National Association of Npower beneficiaries regarding the 9-12 months of unpaid stipends. The ministry assured that once the new Chief Executive Officer begins his role, they will address the issue and work on processing the payments.

Adeshina A. Adex encouraged beneficiaries to share his updates within other groups and mentioned that Comrade Godfrey Agasi, Chairman of Npower Benue State, recently visited Abuja. Agasi received feedback from the Ministry and will soon share a video update with beneficiaries, allowing them to hear directly from him.

Watch video below.

A pro-democracy group in Abia State, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), has criticized the National Assembly’s Education Committees for leaving South-East universities out of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND)

A pro-democracy group in Abia State, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), has criticized the National Assembly’s Education Committees for leaving South-East universities out of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). 

In a statement issued by FENRAD’s Executive Director, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the group expressed concern over the lack of action from the education committees regarding the South-East's exclusion from the loan program. They lamented that only the South-East National Assembly caucus has addressed the issue, while broader intervention from the full House or the education committees could have provided national reassurance.

FENRAD recalled that during President Jonathan's administration, the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovations and Development (PRESSID) was discontinued under President Buhari due to claims of inadequate northern representation, affecting many South-East students who were set to study abroad.

The group also noted that under Buhari's administration, a new tertiary education policy named "Education for Change; Ministerial Plan 2018-2022" was introduced, resulting in the creation of 10 specialized universities across Nigeria, none of which were located in the South-East. Although the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) was to benefit from an upgrade, progress on this has been unclear.

FENRAD criticized the slow progress in verification processes for South-East universities and the lack of representation among the 27,000 students who have benefited from NELFUND so far. They questioned the inclusivity of the policy and urged the federal government to ensure that South-East students and universities are included in the scheme.

The Foundation highlighted that the South-East contributes to federal revenue and should, therefore, be included in federal education funding. They also urged federal lawmakers to address this issue and ensure that the South-East benefits from federal programs.

Npower News: Comrade Godfrey Abasi On His Way To The Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation

Npower News reports that Comrade Godfrey Abasi, the chairman of Npower in Benue State, is heading to the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to follow up on a letter submitted last week. Npower Publicity Secretary Adeshina A. Adex announced this through the National Association of Npower Beneficiaries' Facebook page and mentioned that Abasi has invited anyone interested in joining him to contact him. Adex also stated that he will provide an update later on the results of Abasi's visit to the ministry. Watch the video below.