Students Loan Bill will facilitate equal access to Education, says ex-NASENI boss

A former Executive Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Maiwalima Mohammed Sani Haruna said the student Loan Bill signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will facilitate equal access to Education by Nigerian youths.

He said the President’s decision was timely to enable the youths to learn without constraints.

But he also urged  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place priority on homegrown technology. He said only technology can ensure sustainable industrial development contained in Tinubu’s Renew Hope Agenda.

Haruna spoke in Keffi at the grand reception in his honour by the Coalition of Youth Groups in Nasarawa State.

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to commend President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR for signing the Students Loan Bill to facilitate quality affordable education towards poverty eradication and equal opportunities for the youth.

“This demonstrates Mr President’s love for the youth and understanding of the role of education in nation-building.”

Haruna pleaded with the President to place a premium on homegrown technology to hasten the nation’s industrial development.

He added: “The determination of His Excellency, Mr. President to populate his cabinet with competent professionals with proven track records is undoubtedly a renewal of hope for the nation.

“I urge Jagaban to prioritize the implementation of home-grown Science, Technology and Innovation as well as capacity and skill acquisition and development. This is the only way for sustainable industrial development contained in his Renew Hope Agenda.”

He, however, urged political leaders in Nasarawa State to work for peace and stability in the state.

He said: “May I remind the political leaders of Nasarawa State to fear God and remember the day of reckoning, the day of accountability before Allah.

“They should work for the legacy of peace, progress and stability. They have to cooperate and support the administration of His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule, they should know that the people are taking note of their actions.

” The youth organizations, labour unions, traditional and religious leaders should remember that Nasarawa is our only state, Nigeria is the only country we have, and only unity and support for the leadership can take us to the promised land.”

Concerning his career, Haruna thanked former President   Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for” shunning  sentiments and primordial” to  appoint him as the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI in 2013 after emerging as the best out of the Sixty-three (63) candidates

“I thank  former President Muhammadu Buhari for the renewal of my tenure and for the on-the-spot assessment of my performance and for announcing the conferment of National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Excellent Public Service Award on me.”

On his part, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  Sen. Abdullahi Adamu asked those in leadership positions at all levels to serve the masses wholeheartedly.

He said they should extend patronage to the people, especially the poor.

He said: “When the Federal Government gives you appointment, the idea is to extend patronage to the people. The more you do to raise their standard of living, the better for the society.

” There is no position in which you cannot serve the masses. Neither Buhari nor Tinubu can give patronage to every citizen. Give patronage to the people but not through corrupt means. What people expect as patronage is good service delivery, provision of amenities, jobs and what will make life meaningful for the people.

“Those in leadership positions must see it as a duty to patronize those who are not as privileged and as lucky as they are.

Adamu said Haruna was being celebrated for identifying with the state and the people when in office.

“This reception is an expression of gratitude to him. What he has done should be a lesson. If copying is not allowed elsewhere, here copying is allowed. Let us emulate Haruna.”