Chinedu Ogah Media Center

25/08/2024

Happy Birthday, Chief Uchenna Awoke, the visionary CEO of Trench Nig Ltd and Founder of the Trench Foundation. Your contribution to community development is truly inspiring and has made a meaningful impact on countless lives. As we celebrate your special day, we look forward to witnessing even greater accomplishments in the years to come. May this year bring you continued success, fulfillment, and happiness in all your endeavors.

25/08/2024

25/08/2024

Step-by-Step Procedures for Student Loan Disbursement

Below is a detailed outline of the step-by-step process that each student loan application must go through. NELFUND, the INSTITUTIONS, and the STUDENTS , each have crucial roles to play in this process.

1. Data Submission:
The Institution is responsible for providing NELFUND with full, accurate, and complete data for all its students, for upload onto the NELFUND SVS. This includes information such as Matriculation number, JAMB details, course of study, academic level, and the institution’s fees.

2. Inform Student Applications about readiness :
Both NELFUND and the institutions inform students of their eligibility to apply for the student loan through awareness campaigns and direct communication.

3. Student Loan Application:
Students act on their interest by making their loan applications through the NELFUND portal (www.nelf.gov.ng) providing basic details such as JAMB number, NIN, BVN and Matriculation number.

4. Application Processing by NELFUND:
Upon receipt of student application , NELFUND processes each by verifying the details provided and approving those that meet the criteria.

5. Approval Notification to Institutions:
NELFUND compiles a list of approved student loans and sends the list to the respective institutions for further verification.

6. Institutional Verification:
The institutions review the list, confirming the authenticity and accuracy of the student information and loan approvals. The verified list is signed off by institutions authority and returned to NELFUND.

7. Disbursement of Institutional Fees:
Upon receiving the verified/ signed off list from the institutions, NELFUND disburses the approved institutional fees directly to the institutions on behalf of the students.

This coordinated process ensures that student loans are managed effectively, with each party fulfilling their responsibilities to support students in accessing higher education.

24/08/2024

AN OVERSIGHT TOUR TO CORRECTIONAL CENTERS IN EBONYI STATE BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON REFORMATORY INSTITUTIONS.

On Thursday, August 22, 2024, the House Committee Chairman on Reformatory Institutions, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogah, OON led his team to Ebonyi State to inspect the quality of works at the Correctional Centers and assess the welfare of the inmates.

The delegation from the National Assembly, having visited some other states, steered their focus to the home state of the Committee Chairman.
The team visited the Abakaliki Correctional Center headquarter, where Controller Vera Ogwude and her team warmly received the distinguished team.They expressed their appreciation, stating that such visits would enhance the efficiency of correctional centers in Nigeria, given their role in handling a sensitive aspect of national security.

Hon. Ogah stressed on the need to prioritize the welfare of inmates and maintain the facilities in good shape. He expressed disappointment at the poor quality of work done by the contractor at the headquarters, pledging to ensure the contractor returns to site for improvements. Notable issues included collapsed ceilings, substandard tiling, defective doors, inadequate plumbing, absence of a borehole, and insufficient medical supplies at the health center.

At the Afikpo facility, the team queried the inadequate nutritional value of meals served to inmates, assuring them that this would not continue under his supervision.
Going forward, Hon. Ogah promised to provide legal aid to those who could not afford any. He proceeded to cover the bail expenses for over 75 inmates, 32 from Afikpo Correctional Center, amounting to over 3 million Naira. Among these individuals were those already prosecuted and others still awaiting trial. Hon. Ogah did this in full assurance by the inmates that they have repented and would never go back to Crime. However, the team leader accepted to clear the bail bills that ranges from 10,000 to 100,000 per inmates on the condition that they will swear an affidavit never to go back to crime.

The delegation further visited the Clinic Center of the Abakaliki Correction Service, taking note of existing challenges and pledging to provide solutions. Some immediate actions included providing fans and designating a mosque for Muslim inmates were done.

The team, also inspected the ongoing construction of a 1,300 Capacity correctional center that adheres to the Reformatory Institution's standards. They expressed their gratitude towards the Ebonyi State Governor for initiating such a substantial project to enhance the lives of inmates upon completion and avoid jail brake.

During the visit, the team met with the Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, represented by the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa. They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with the State governors to prioritize inmates welfare as a top concern. Ogah commended the Governor for being the first to implement the bill on correctional services rehabilitation, and acknowledged the House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. M.I. Odunwa, for being the first to pass the legislation.