Students in Ogun State have lauded Gov. Dapo Abiodun for setting up a N5 billion intervention fund to cushion the effect of the rising cost of living in the state.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by Mr Francis Adeyanju, State Chairman of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and Mr Andor John, Secretary, National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), in Abeokuta on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abiodun on Wednesday rolled out palliatives worth over N5 billion to reduce hardship and better the lives of the people in the state.
NAN reports that the initiatives included education support grants for indigent students, health insurance scheme, payment of backlog salary deductions of workers and distribution of food palliatives.
The governor also disclosed that his government would be providing a one-time intervention of N10,000 education support grant for at least 100,000 pupils in public primary and secondary schools in the state.
NAN reports that the governor added that all 27,600 indigent students in tertiary institutions nationwide would also receive an education grant of N50,000 each.
Reacting to the gesture, the students described the interventions as a crucial and compassionate response to the difficulties faced by individuals and families across the state.
The associations commended the governor for his administration’s timely response towards alleviating the economic hardship in the state.
“We want to extend our sincere appreciation to governor Abiodun for his timely and proactive step in establishing an intervention fund to address economic challenges faced by the people.
“In the face of prevailing economic hardships, the government’s commitment to implementing measures that directly impact the wellbeing of the populace is commendable,” the associations said.
The student bodies, however, called on the governor to involve the student community and other relevant stakeholders to ensure thorough implementation of the initiatives.
The associations demanded that the student community be carried along in identifying indigent students who truly needed the intervention.
