Cleric Backs Tinubu on Students’ Loan

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, has thrown his weight behind the students’ loan scheme policy of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Aboyeji, who is also the Visitor of McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, told journalists during  at the inauguration  of a multimillion naira hostel built for the institution by the Foursquare Ministers’ Welfare Scheme, that the student’s loan is a leveler that would provide opportunity for students from poor background to go to school with the children of the rich, stating that the policy is common in many parts of the world.

According to him, the administration deserved a pat on the back for the policy as it is a welcome development that must be supported by all, urging students to make use of the opportunity when it is fully operational to achieve their desire of attending higher institution. 

He said: “All over the world the students’ loan is a common thing as I heard that one of the ex-presidents of the United States of America just recently finished paying his student loan.” 

“So it is a common practice all over the world. It is a leveler because there are people who have the brain and gifted intellectually but don’t have the opportunity coming from poor background, so with the students loan it would give such students an opportunity to attend school with the children of those who have.

“Thus it is a welcome development and I hope we move fast about it.”

The Vice- Chancellor of the McPherson University, Professor Francis Igbasan, in his remarks, described the project as unprecedented and laudable considering its standard and completion within the stipulated period, stating that with the support of people, the institution would become point of reference among the faith-based universities in Africa.

Igbasan said that his vision and that of the management team is to place the institution among top prestigious universities in the country, disclosing that his team welcome ideas, suggestions and partnerships that would make the institution a model and enviable citadel of learning.

“The building we are commissioning today is bequeathed to McPherson University by the Foursquare Ministers’ Welfare Scheme. This is the fourth building we are commissioning in 14 months. It is a storey building with 56 rooms.

“It will house over 224 female students conveniently and the management has decided this will be a standard replica of what our halls of residences would be henceforth. This can only be God and to Him alone shall be all the glory.

“With the support of all and sundry, we would build this institution to become a point of reference amongst the faith-based universities in Africa. My mission for this university has and will remain one and the same and the management will not rest until our dear institution, McPherson University, sits in the pedestal of prestigious universities in Nigeria,” Igbasan said.