Alia will not honour the House of Representatives Committee invitation scheduled for Thursday, May 8.

His Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House had summoned the Governors of Benue and Zamfara, alongside their Assembly leadership.

Kula stated that the invitation is unconstitutional and the governor will not comply with it.

He explained that Alia has filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the lawmakers’ invitation.

“Yesterday, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Reps Committee invitation.

“They believe the invitation is based on ignorance and have decided not to attend.

Kula added that the governor, independently, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the invitation’s legality.

He said, “Since the matter is in court, I will not speak further on it.”

Kula also claimed that the civil society group behind the petition is faceless and unregistered.

According to him, the address on the group’s letterhead is fake and lacks credibility.

He said there is a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests aimed at destabilising Benue.

In recent weeks, he noted, there have been protests in Abuja allegedly representing Benue people’s concerns.

“These protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light,” he said.

He claimed the organisers seek to undermine progress and return to a failed political order.

“Their ultimate goal is to create chaos for selfish political gain,” Kula added.

He accused the protest sponsors of trying to remove the governor through disruptive means.

“They will not succeed. Benue people stand firmly with their governor,” he said.

He assured the public that Benue remains peaceful and the government is functioning effectively.

“Governor Alia is committed to fulfilling his mandate and addressing the state’s challenges,” he said. (NAN)

Alleged kidnap: Police Apprehends Student for False Information in Ekiti

 The police command in Ekiti has arrested one Helen Kayode, a graduating Student of Ekiti State University (EKSU), who allegedly raised a false alarm that she had been kidnapped along Iworoko/Ado-Ekiti road.

This was made known by the command Spokesman, SP Sunday Abutu on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti.

Abutu alleged that Kayode stated that she was kept and held hostage in an uncompleted building surrounded by bushes.

He said the information activated serious panic in the state, especially within Iworoko-Ekiti and Ado-Ekiti metropolis.

According to Abutu, the information went viral on the social media, causing some reactions that undermined the security and peaceful atmosphere currently being enjoyed in the state.

He said investigations revealed that she was not kidnapped but an alleged false information to cover her stay with her boyfriend all through the night of that same day before travelling to Lagos to meet her parents.

He alleged that the suspect had confessed during investigation that she sent out the false information to enable her stay back in Ado-Ekiti to celebrate her birthday with her boyfriend, who had promised her a ‘surprise package’.

Abutu said the student stated that her parents had told her to return to Lagos against her wish due to the birthday party.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, condemned the act.

He warned against giving false information, especially those that could cause unnecessary apprehension in the society.

Eribo said that those found wanting would be made to face the wrath of the law.

He stated that the suspect would be charged to court after investigations.

He reiterated the Command’s commitment to the security of lives and property of all residents and the sustenance of a peaceful atmosphere.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Kayode, on May 1, sent a disturbing message to her sister that she boarded a wrong bus and was kidnapped.

The message went viral on the social media. (NAN)

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparent and responsible disbursement of student loans across the country.

NELFUND’s, Managing Director, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, made this known during an oversight meeting with the House Committee on NELFUND on Wednesday in Abuja.

Sawyerr  disclosed that 90 per cent of all funds received by the agency were strictly allocated for student loans, in line with the law.

“Ninety per cent of funds that come to NELFUND are to be spent exclusively on loans. These funds must go towards paying students’ fees and cannot be diverted or used for any other purpose,” he stated.

He added that any deviation from this mandate would constitute a breach of the law.

Providing an update on disbursement, Sawyerr disclosed that a total of ₦54 billion had so far been disbursed to students and institutions nationwide.

According to him, “NELFUND has paid 303 government-owned institutions,  including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education,  and disbursed approximately ₦54 billion in total.“

He further explained that ₦30 billion out of the total amount was paid directly to the institutions, while ₦24 billion was disbursed as stipends to 293,000 Nigerian students enrolled in public tertiary institutions.

Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on NELFUND, Rep. Ifeoluwa Ehindaro, said the meeting was convened to clarify reports and address public concerns regarding potential mismanagement of funds.

“You have been invited to provide clarification and enlighten this committee on issues surrounding the disbursement and administration of student loans by your agency,” Ehindaro said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting followed recent allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concerning fund diversions at NELFUND. (NAN)