Bishop Babatunde Adeyemi of the Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Cathedral Church of St. Thomas, Badagry, Lagos State, has called for the direct disbursement of student loans to beneficiaries under the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Speaking on Sunday during the third session of the 7th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Badagry, the bishop emphasized that such a process would promote transparency and accountability in the implementation of the loan scheme.
The Synod, themed “Pass It On: The Imperative of Sharing The Praiseworthy Deeds, Power and Wonders of the Lord With The Next Generation,” provided a platform for the bishop to reflect on national issues, including the newly re-enacted Student Loans law.
“I don’t think disbursements should go through the schools; rather, they should go through the students who are collecting the loans,” Adeyemi said. “This will also enable the government to know who will be responsible for the repayment in the years to come.”
President Bola Tinubu had on April 3, 2024, signed into law the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2024, aimed at providing sustainable higher education and skills development for Nigerian youths. Bishop Adeyemi praised the initiative, saying it had already helped ease financial burdens for many students and their families, but stressed the importance of involving parents in the loan process to enhance its effectiveness.
Turning to the Synod’s theme, the bishop reminded parents of their responsibility to pass on moral and spiritual values to the next generation. He also used the opportunity to commend the Lagos State government for ongoing infrastructure development, particularly road construction across the state.
However, he expressed concern over the persistent power outages in Badagry and the imposition of estimated electricity bills on residents. He called on the federal government to urgently address the issue to improve living conditions in the area.
Echoing the bishop’s sentiments, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, urged parents and leaders to inspire the younger generation with messages of hope and assurance. “We should train them very well so that when we are old and weak, we will have peace of mind,” she said.
Elizabeth Kappo, Vice Chairman of Badagry Local Government, also stressed the importance of legacy, encouraging parents to instill values that promote peace and harmony. Similarly, Babatunde Hunpe, the APC chairmanship candidate in Badagry, urged parents to lead by example and serve as role models for their children.
