The national coalition for the Higher National Diploma (HND) applauded the 9th National Assembly for passing a law that would eliminate and ban discrimination between first-degree holders and HND holders.
President Muhammadu Buhari was also urged by the coalition to complete his administration’s efforts by signing the bill into law as soon as it was delivered to him.
The House of Representatives has enacted a bill aimed at bridging the gap between university degrees and polytechnic Higher National Diplomas.
Discrimination against HND certificate holders would be illegal under the measure, which would apply to both the public and private sectors. On Tuesday, it cleared the third reading in the plenary.
Comrade Sebastian Onyemaobi, the coalition’s national coordinator, told journalists in Abuja yesterday that the two chambers of the National Assembly had been crafted to address a major societal injustice and one of the key setbacks to technological growth and the nation’s quest for industrialization.
He said the bill’s passing has restored the pleasure, optimism, and self-esteem of millions of HND holders who had been traumatized by unjustified discrimination at their various workplaces, both in the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy, over the years.
“This bill passed by the national assembly will indeed provide succor and cushion to the dilemma of millions of polytechnic and montechnic students who have been in contemplation on how to approach the bleak, uncertain workplace environment that awaits upon graduation from various polytechnic.
“The signing of this epoch-making bill into law, all Nigerians HND holders and indeed polytechnic system will work hard to live up to their expectations and justify the confidence reposed in them if this bill is signed into law.
“We assure you that upon signing of this momentous bill into law, HND holders will be greatly propelled to utilize their talents and potentials to the fullest and contribute immensely to national development,” he said.
Ada Peter
