The National Union of Benue State Students (NUBESS) has endorsed the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while seeking the intervention of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume on challenges affecting the welfare of Benue students across tertiary institutions in the country.
According to an official statement signed by the Head, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chris Ugwuegbulam, the endorsement and appeal were made when the executive members of NUBESS paid a courtesy visit to the SGF in Abuja on Wednesday. The delegation was led by the Patron of the union and Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah.
The statement said Senator Akume urged the students to support the policies of President Tinubu’s administration and continue to promote peace, unity, and responsible leadership among students.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to youth development through investments in education, job creation, and security, describing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and other education-focused initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda as key interventions that have enabled thousands of students to pursue higher education despite financial constraints.
The SGF also assured the students that the Federal Government would continue to prioritise policies aimed at improving students’ welfare and expanding educational opportunities, while pledging the support of his office to initiatives that would advance the interests of Benue youths.
The statement further said Akume encouraged the students to remain law-abiding, focus on their academic pursuits, and serve as worthy ambassadors of Benue State.
It added that the visit was also used by the students to present a memorandum outlining challenges facing Benue students, including delays in bursary and scholarship payments, insecurity affecting students from the state, and the rising cost of tuition and accommodation.
According to the statement, NUBESS National President, Comrade Favour Wandoo Titus, appealed to the SGF to facilitate intervention by relevant government agencies and ensure that Benue students benefit from Federal Government programmes and policies.
The statement noted that the Patron of NUBESS and Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, commended Senator Akume for his sustained support for education through scholarship schemes and intervention programmes.
The students also presented the SGF with an Award of Recognition in appreciation of his leadership and contributions to education, Benue State, and national development.
