HND holders resume agitation, wants Senate to abolish dichotomy

By Musa Baba Adamu

Holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate in the country have renewed their agitation for the abolishment of dichotomy between HND and University Degree holders in the area of employment opportunity.
The HND holders made this known at a public hearing on a Bill sponsored by Sen Ayo Akiyerule, for the abolishment of dichotomy between the two certificates.
The National Coordinator of HND Stakeholders Coalition , Sebastien Onyemaobi , in a 34 – page memorandum submitted to the committee said the dichotomy which started in 1955 during colonial regime must abolished.
The representative of the Head of Service , Dr Emmanuel Meribole, however said there would be need for review of curriculum of Universities and Polytechnics before the dichotomy could be abolished.
Dr Meribole, who is the Permanent Secretary, Service , Policies and Strategies in the office of Head of Service of the Federation, added that while dichotomy at entry level into public service between University and Polytechnics graduates had been removed, that of progression of level 14 upward was still there.
He said in other to measure up Polytechnic graduate would have to acquire post graduate diploma or Masters degree before advancing further from level 14.
The Chairman of the committee in his closing remarks, said all the views and submissions made by the various stakeholders will guide the Committee in its final report.
In the similar vein, some stakeholders were at the Senate public hearing to agitate for the creation of University of Agriculture out of the present College of Agriculture in Kabba, Kogi State.
The stakeholders who were at public hearing of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to persuade the Senate to grant their requests included the Obaro of Kabba, Solomon Dele Owoniyi, who begged the authorities of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), to release the school for the upgrading.