Former Director General of the Tinubu-Shetima 2023 presidential campaign, Alhaji Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi, asserted that Islam does not prohibit taking loans, thereby affirming that Muslim students are free to apply for and benefit from the student loans approved by the Federal Government.
Bichi made this statement on Tuesday during a sensitization workshop organised to educate students on how to apply for student loans, held at the NUJ Secretariat in Kano.
He emphasised, “There is no verse in the holy Quran that is against taking loans. The issue of taking loans is addressed in the longest chapter (sura) of the holy book of Muslims.
“As a Muslim, I can tell you that Islam does not oppose taking loans, and students should be cautious of those who might mislead them into not taking advantage of such opportunities.”
Bichi, who also served as Secretary to the State Government during former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s regime, explained that the workshop aimed to educate students, particularly those affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC), on how to apply for and benefit from the loan.
APC Students Council Commends President Tinubu’s Loan Initiative
During the event, APC Students Council Director General, Yahaya Usman, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for initiating the loan programme to support students in achieving their academic aspirations.
He stated that the council organised a media briefing to enlighten students in Kano State on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the process of accessing the loan.
The briefing, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Centre, marked the APC Students Council’s first step in sensitising students about the loan’s significance and application procedure.
Najmuddin Mukhtar, Director of Finance, highlighted the association’s goal of educating students from all 44 local government areas on the loan application process.
The session included a PowerPoint presentation on filling out the NELFUND loan application online, ensuring students were well-informed about the process.
Prominent Figures Encourage the utilisation of Loan Opportunities
Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, who is also the Director of Campaign for Gawuna Garo 2024 Kano Gubernatorial Elections, urged students to seize the opportunity to achieve their educational goals.
Additionally, Fa’izu Alfindiki, the immediate past Council Chairman of Kano Municipal Local Government, encouraged students to utilise this golden opportunity by applying for the NELFUND.
He commended the APC-led administration for its foresight and commitment to revitalising the educational sector to greater heights.
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