Allow experts manage student loan, ex-BoI GM, analyst tell FG

Forum 9 months ago

Allow experts manage student loan, ex-BoI GM, analyst tell FG

A former General Manager, the Bank of Industry, Mr Joseph Babatunde, has asked President Bola Tinubu to engage technocrats for the management of the student loan.

He said the President could not do without appointing politicians but that those who had the capacity should be considered.

The student loan, which is to commence in September, is to provide interest-free loans to indigent students in private and public schools.

Babatunde stated, “The people to manage such a scheme should be technocrats who have a very good track record and would be firm with the management. However, there is no way you won’t have some politicians there because this is a political programme.

“I will propose a combination of both technocrats and some politicians but technocrats should be more and whoever would head it may not necessarily be a politician. It should be a person that will ensure there is no favouritism, for it to spread to every nook and cranny of the country.”

Also, a political analyst, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, asked the President to consider politicians who are technocrats for an appointment.

Nwagwu, who is the Chairman, Partner for Electoral Reform and board member of Yiaga Africa, noted that those who supported the emergence of the President would have to be considered for appointment, adding that the Senate would decide their capacity when they appear for screening.

He stated, “What is this issue about technocrats; there are politicians who are also technocrats. Just when some people struggled to elect someone into power, some others would come and pose as technocrats when they were not part of the struggle.

“If you are interested in an office, you contribute to making that person. Democracy is not exclusionary. People who worked for power should be appointed because the office of the minister is a political office and not a technical office. The one who appoints is the one who decides to fulfill, first and foremost, federal character principle and the direction he wants the government to go.”

“I’m not saying appoint somebody who is not qualified; but someone who is a politician and is qualified has more advantages.”