Benue: Ex-commissioner, Olofu inaugurates N50m scholarship fund for students

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Senior Technical Advisor to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), David Olofu, Saturday, instituted a N50m scholarship fund for students of Benue south senatorial district otherwise known as Zone C in various tertiary institutions across the country.

The former Commissioner for Finance in Benue State under the administration of former governor Samuel Ortorm, announced the launch of the Fund at a press conference held at his Otukpo residence, Benue State.

According to him, the initiative is to address financial challenges confronting Idoma students at different tertiary institutions from the nine local government areas of Benue South.

He further stated that the gesture is to compliment the efforts of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration in providing support to the students.

It was gathered that Olofu was nominated for a chieftaincy award by the Idoma Area Traditional Council for a chieftaincy title in Otukpo slated to hold Saturday, 29 June 2024 at Och’ldoma palace Otukpo.

However, two days to the ceremony, Olofu was reportedly dropped from the list of awardees on allegation that Governor Hyacinth Alia ordered Och’ldoma to remove his name.

Olofu said that he has put behind him the removal of his name from the list of the awardees by governor, Alia, adding that he would rather use the funds raised for the reception of the event, to put smiles on the faces of Idoma students.

“As you are aware, in the last couple of days, I was scheduled to be conferred with the chieftaincy title by the revered Idoma Area Traditional Council.

“And when I got the notification from his Royal Majesty, the Och’Idoma, I informed all my friends and associates, my political party and also constituted the central planning committee to make sure that we have a successful confirmation ceremony.

“Less than 48 hours to the event, I got notification that that will no longer be the case. In the meantime, my friends, colleagues and associates had supported me to make sure that this event was held hedge free.

“I have to some extent, utilized the support that was provided, but I did not exhaust what was provided and I felt that, given that, that provision had been made by them, I reached out to them and we came to a conclusion that I should apply the balance of what has been contributed to support my people in any way possible, and in consultation with my constituency and my leaders across party lines.

“So today, by the grace of God, we are using what has been contributed by my colleagues, friends and associates, to set up an Education Support Fund, under the umbrella of Apa Legacy Sustainability Initiative.

“And we have a window of about 50 million, with an initial inflow of about 20 million and a projection of 10 million per year, to reach out to all the students that will qualify for this intervention”, Olofu said.

He, however named David Salifu, a former SSG to serve as the chairman of the Board of Trustees that will administer the fund to the students.

The Board chairman, Salifu in his acceptance message, described the project as laudable and enjoined other Idoma sons and daughters to emulate the initiator of the project, Olofu.

“I accept my appointment to chair the Board of the Education Support Fund initiated by my younger brother, the immediate past Benue Finance Commissioner, David Olofu.

The President of NAIS, Comrade Vincent Odebugu expressed his gratitude to Olofu, for his charity towards the Idoma students, despite the situation.

He said, “I stand here today in appreciation and in commendation to David Olofu, for this charitable act towards the Idoma nation, of a truth, you have experienced what it takes to pass through the four walls of the university, having a track record of facing challenges while on campus.

In their separate remarks, a Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chris Adaba Abba, and Comrade Joe Ochogwu, National President of NAIS in 1995, lauded the gesture of Olofu, urging other Idoma leaders to emulate him.