Former Speaker Advocates for Inclusion of Private University Students in Federal Loan Scheme

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has urged the federal government to extend its Students’ Loan Scheme to students of private universities. This call was made during the 13th convocation ceremony of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State.

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Dogara, who also serves as the chancellor of the institution, emphasized the need for proper management of the loan scheme to benefit the country’s youth in both private and public tertiary institutions. He stated, “The scheme should also be properly managed for the benefit of the teeming youths of this country.”

The former lawmaker highlighted the correlation between underemployment, unemployment, and poverty, urging the government to focus on eliminating these issues. He warned of the threat poverty poses to democracy, citing vote buying and the manipulation of electoral and security officials as manifestations of this threat.

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Dogara also urged President Bola Tinubu to focus on solutions rather than blaming others for the country’s national decay.

In his address, the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Dr. Bode Ayorinde, assured that despite the global economic challenges, the university’s Governing Council would continue to prioritize the welfare of its staff and students. He urged the graduates to be good ambassadors of the university and to demonstrate the leadership attributes they had acquired as students of the institution.

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The acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Omolola Irinoye, announced that a total of 552 students were awarded first degrees, with 37 students graduating with first class honors from various departments of the school in the 2022/2023 academic session.