In response to the soaring prices of essential commodities brought about by the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), the Federal College of Education (FCE) Yola, situated in Adamawa State, has taken a pioneering step by distributing food items to its students.
This initiative aims to alleviate the financial strain imposed by the recent policy change enacted by the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government.
Since President Tinubu’s declaration on May 29 to end the subsidy on PMS, commonly known as petrol, prices of various goods have surged across the nation, placing immense financial pressure on citizens.
Recognising the hardship faced by their students, the college’s administration decided to provide immediate relief through food assistance, allowing students to focus on their studies during this challenging period of examinations.
In a statement, the Provost of FCE Yola, Mohammed Usman Degereji, emphasised the institution’s commitment to its students’ well-being.
“The management thought providing food items to our students will reduce the pressure during the examination period like this to allow them to concentrate on their exams,” Degereji stated.
The college expended a significant sum of N7 million to procure 1500 cartons of noodles, which were distributed to approximately 3000 students residing on campus.
The administration also extended its support to off-campus staff members by offering free transportation services to help them navigate the challenges of daily commuting to and from the college.
Among those present during the distribution, Abubakat Bello, a staff member, lauded the college’s gesture, remarking, “The gesture is the first of its kind in the country and is worth emulating.”
Joy Angelou, who spoke on behalf of the students, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the college management and pledged that students would strive to excel in their examinations.
The Federal College of Education Yola’s compassionate response to the economic difficulties triggered by the removal of the PMS subsidy serves as a shining example of proactive measures taken by educational institutions to support their students during challenging times.
This initiative not only demonstrates the college’s commitment to its student body but also highlights the pressing need for collaborative efforts to alleviate the adverse effects of economic policy changes on the Nigerian populace.
