Director, Regional Advocacy, National Education Loan Funds (NELFUND), Nneamaka Okafor has said the South East ranks last in application for the facility for students of tertiary institutions.

Okafor stated this when she led a delegation from the NELFUND on an advocacy visit to the Abia State governor, Alex Otti at his Umuehim Nvosi country home.

She said the facility, which was approved last April, is interest-free and that the beneficiaries are to pay it back from two to 10 years after completing the national youth service.

Responding, the governor expressed dissatisfaction at the situation and underlined the need to sensitise the students and the people on the facility and its benefits.

“We need to do this because this is a very good initiative by the federal government particularly for students from indigent homes to pursue their dreams without financial constraints.”

“I am sure if the students understand clearly that nobody will be chasing them around for the repayment until they secure a means of livelihood they will apply for it,” he said.

He assured the director and the delegation of the readiness of the government to provide the NELFUND the needed support and logistics to achieve the objective.

Otti, therefore, directed the commissioner for Tertiary Education, Uche Emeh-Uche to partner the TETFUND to ensure the advocacy is conducted across tertiary institutions in the state.