A former Delta State governor and South-South coordinator of APC Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), Ifeanyi Okowa, has said 1.6 million tertiary institution students have benefited from the Federal Government’s National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Mr Okowa stated this on Sunday in Asaba when the national leadership of Working People United (WPU) paid him a courtesy visit.

He said NELFUND was among the critical reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu to revamp Nigeria’s stuttering economy.

Mr Okowa added that Mr Tinubu assumed office at a time when his service to the country was “really needed.”

According to him, many students who initially dismissed NELFUND as a scam had enrolled in the scheme and were benefiting from it.

The former Delta State governor urged Nigerians still doubting the programme’s credibility and sincerity to take advantage of the loan scheme.

“I urge the citizens of the country to support Tinubu’s reform programmes, which are beginning to positively address some fundamental socio-economic and political issues,” Mr Okowa said.

He cited state police, deregulation of the electricity generation sub-sector and subsidy removal among the reforms introduced by the administration.

Mr Okowa said that given the template Mr Tinubu was applying in administering the country, he deserved a second term to complete the process.

He expressed optimism that Nigerians would soon appreciate the pragmatic efforts of the Tinubu-led administration to refocus the country.

Mr Okowa urged WPU members to rally support for the government ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of WPU, William Akporeha, said the group visited Asaba to inform Mr Okowa of its objectives and inaugurate its Delta State chapter.

Mr Akporeha said WPU comprised public and private-sector workers, self-employed persons and artisans across different cadres.

He assured Mr Okowa of the group’s support for his senatorial ambition, as well as the electoral victory of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Mr Tinubu.

The highpoint of the session was the conferment of the patronship of WPU on Mr Okowa. 

(NAN)