BlossomNigeria commends a former Benue State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. David Olofu, who has launched a N50m Education Support Fund, to cater for Idoma students in tertiary institutions. The Fund, is targeted at students across the 9 Local Government Areas of Benue South, who are going through various forms of financial hardship.
David Olofu, who was the Chairman of the Forum of Commissioners for Finance in Nigeria and Senior Technical Advisor to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, said the initiative was to support the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration’s resolve, to provide succour to indigent students.
Olofu was initially nominated by the Idoma Area Traditional Council for a chieftaincy title in Otukpo, but barely 48 hours before the event, he was allegedly delisted. At a briefing in Otukpo, Benue State on Friday June 28, Olofu said he had put that behind him, stating that he would rather use the funds raised at the reception of the event, to put smiles on the faces of Idoma students.
He added that “Let me also mention that, this contribution that I have mentioned, came in from all over the federation, across party lines. Both people who are in PDP, APC, APGA and Labour, contributed to this event to identify with the honour that was going to be bestowed on me by His Royal Majesty, the Och’idoma.
In his words, “After consultation with my leaders, we decided to apply what is left from the support that I have received, by way of what I refer to as Education Support Fund, under the umbrella of Apa Legacy Sustainability Initiative”. He emphasised that the fund will be devoid of political affiliations and he recognised the board of the National Association of Idoma Students (NAIS).
He recounted how he resorted to serving as a waiter in restaurants during his days at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, just to meet up with his education funding; adding that, he fought the temptations to quit schooling and saw himself to the graduation.
The appointed Board chairman, Professor Salifu in his acceptance message, described the project as laudable, and enjoined other Idoma sons and daughters to emulate the initiator of the project, Dr. Olofu.
