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House of Rep calls for abolition of HND/Bsc dichotomy to address the injustice in the academic system

The Chairman, House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Education, Rep. Kayode Laguda has called for the abolition of the lingering HND/Bsc dichotomy to address the injustice in the academic system.

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Laguda made the call on Saturday in Abuja as a keynote speaker at the maiden Bi-annual Lecture Series/Awards, organised by the Federal Polytechnics Oko, Alumni Association, Abuja branch, with the theme, “HND/Bsc Dichotomy: Matters Arising”.

He reiterated the need for a renewed commitment to prohibiting HND/BSc dichotomy by taking steps to create awareness, support research and create room for innovation in Nigeria’s polytechnics.

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Laguda, who called for harmonisation, said he had already sponsored a bill titled “Higher National Diploma Discrimination (Prohibition) Bill, 2024” to address what he described as “long standing injustice”.

“In response to this long-standing injustice, I took the bold step of sponsoring the bill which has already passed crucial stages in the National Assembly.

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“The goal is to ensure that holders of HND and BSc qualifications are treated equally for employment, promotion, and further studies,” he said.

The lawmaker explained that the Bill was tailored to prohibit discrimination in both public and private sectors, with prescribed penalties for individuals or institutions that continue to perpetuate the bias.

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According to him, the move is not just a piece of legislation but a statement of national intent.

“It says to every young Nigerian in a polytechnic that your education matters, your skills matter, and your future is valid.

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“It is about restoring dignity to technical education and rewarding competence, not titles.”

Laguda called for a collaboration among stakeholders to get the HND/Degree Dichotomy Bill to improve contributions of Polytechnics in Nigeria to national creativity, excellence and enterprise.

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He emphasised the need to recognise that a nation that undermines its technical experts cannot advance industrially.

The lawmaker who frowned at the stagnation and relegation of HND holders, said it was imperative to re-image polytechnic education as the engine room of innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

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He urged Nigerians to end the narrative which saw Polytechnics as alternatives for those who couldn’t make it into the university, saying that such a mindset belongs to the past.

Laguda said that no country can industrialise without valuing its technical workforce, noting that the world’s leading economies like Germany, Japan and China, prioritised technical education.

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He therefore recommended periodic review and alignment of HND curriculum with industry needs and the establishment of a National Polytechnic Commission, as ways to move forward.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, expressed the commitment of the board to ensure success in the ongoing reforms.

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Bugaje, represented by Mr Bashir Dati, commended the Federal Polytechnics Oko, Alumni, for organising the lecture, and urged it to sustain the conversation.

He described the lingering dichotomy as a big challenge impeding development and industrialisation in the country.

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The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Chioma Awuzie, said the dichotomy was already affecting students’ enrollment in polytechnics.

Awuzie urged the government to quickly intervene to avoid the collapse of polytechnic education in the country.

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”We urge the government to enable the polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology to graduating students to end the dichotomy between HND and Degree certificates.

She commended the Alumni for taking the bold step to organise the lecture, noting that the skills acquired by polytechnic graduates were part of the legacies of NBTE.

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Earlier, the National President, Federal Polytechnics Oko Alumni Association, Nze Henry Nnebe, blamed the lingering dichotomy on the lack of unity among Polytechnics graduates.

Nnebe called for unity among Polytechnics graduates to abolish the dichotomy.

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Also speaking, the Chairman, Federal Polytechnics Oko Alumni Association, Abuja Branch, Mr Nnabuchi Nnabuchi, said that the dichotomy had undermined meritocracy and competence.

Nnabuchi, who frowned at the relegation of HND holders, said that such discrepancy had hindered HND holders from attaining the peak of their careers especially in the civil service.

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The highlight of the event was the conferment of merit awards to notable Nigerians like Rep. Kayode Laguda, Rep. Okpolupm Etteh, as well as two women entrepreneurs, Dr Eugenia Ndukwe and Mrs Gloria Onyeakazi.

Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the Majority Leader, House of Representatives and Rep Unyime Idem were also honoured for their dedication to their duties and support for social justice. (NAN)

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.

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The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.

Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

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While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.

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National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.

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He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.

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“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.

“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)

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