BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), in conjunction with students of tertiary institutions from Calabar South, Akpabuyo and Bakassi Federal constituency, have expressed frustration over lack of access to the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
In a clear expression of disappointment, they blamed ineffective National Assembly (NASS) representation as the primary reason for their inability to access the funds like other Nigerians.
Speaking on behalf of the group at a Calabar press conference, the NYCN Team Leader, Comrade Sebastian Edet Ekpenyong lamented that whatever limitations the students are facing in accessing the Fund could have been addressed if they had effective representation at the national level.
He said since the Fund is a federal government arrangement to facilitate youths educational advancement programme, they cannot be denied such a golden opportunity to improve their lots educationally.
Comrade Ekpenyong vowed that based on such ugly experience, the youths in the federal constituency have decided to use their voting strength to establish their relevance come 2027 elections by ensuring their mandate is given to an aspirant who not only identifies with their plight and challenges but is ready and willing to change the narrative positively for their overall good.
Insisting that the era of so-called bandwagon effect and support for any candidate is over, he said the 2027 general elections presents an appropriate platform for them to demonstrate the importance of youths in any democratic struggles.
Comrade Ekpenyong further stated that since the current representation has failed them, the waiting ends now and the youth are determined and focused on taking “our destiny into our own hands.”
“We are shattering the status quo. The youth refuse to be passive observers in our own ruin, and we are stepping up to claim the future we deserve”, he declared.
