The House of Representatives is in the process of drafting a bill aimed at criminalizing the discrimination between holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) from polytechnics and those with Bachelor’s Degrees (BSc) from universities, Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has revealed.
Abbas made this announcement on Thursday during the 36th convocation ceremony of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos, where he was represented by Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, a member of the House from Lagos State. Laguda was also honored with a Fellow of the College award.
In his address, Abbas emphasized the importance of education, particularly vocational and technical education, in advancing the nation’s development. “We know the importance of education and what the country would gain by promoting vocational and technical education. The country needs skilled individuals to propel it to a higher level and raise its technological profile,” he said.
A Move Towards Equal Opportunity for All Graduates
Abbas continued, “Just yesterday, a motion was moved for an increment in polytechnic funding, and by God’s grace, all humanly possible actions and efforts will be put into the realization.”
He also reiterated the need to eliminate the long-standing disparity between HND and BSc holders, which has been a subject of discussion for many years. “We are working on the necessary legal framework to criminalize the dichotomy between HND and BSc certificates. There should be equal opportunity for all,” he stated.
The Speaker urged the graduating students to use the knowledge and skills they acquired to make a positive impact in the world. “Go into the world and make a difference. Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way,” he encouraged them.
First Lady Remi Tinubu’s Support for Education
At the ceremony, Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Remi Tinubu, was also honored with a Fellow award from the College. Represented by Hon. Wahab Alawiye King, she announced the establishment of a N50 million Endowment Fund aimed at supporting female students. “The Fund is to support the best female graduates. We need to support education, especially the education of the girl child, and remove all barriers in her path,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu reflected on her longstanding commitment to education, noting that her efforts began during her time in the Senate. “Even when I was in the Senate, my focus was on improving the lives of our young ones. They are our future,” she emphasized.
Government and Educational Initiatives
The speech of the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmed, was read on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. In his address, Ahmed highlighted initiatives such as the Student Loan Scheme and the ongoing NEEDS Assessment for tertiary institutions, which are aimed at improving the education sector. He also advised the graduates to be good ambassadors of YABATECH.
Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, the Rector of YABATECH, in his welcome address, acknowledged the College’s significant contributions to the education sector over its 77 years of existence. He called for support from individuals and corporate bodies to help upgrade aging facilities and build new ones on campus.
Prof. Funso Afolabi, Chairman of the Governing Council, commended the management for its achievements and progress since assuming office.
