By Andy Asemota
The bill to prohibit discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diplomas, 2021, on Wednesday sailed through the Senate after almost 20 years in the National Assembly.

The Red Chamber presided over by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, approved the third reading of the bill and declared it passed for implementation after the assent of President Muhammad Buhari.

Speaking shortly after the passage of the bill which seeks to end discrimination between first degree and HNDs for the purpose of employment and promotion in Nigeria and for related matters, Lawan said the Federal Government, all agencies in the public and private sectors will start to implement it from the time the President assents to it.

Indonesia urges immediate appointment of ASEAN envoy to Myanmar

While congratulating polytechnics graduates, the Senate President said: “This particular issue has been in the front burners for a long time. I recall that in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007, this was one bill that was so important.

“This is one way of encouraging our polytechnics graduates and that should not take away from the kind of training they receive. It’s supposed to be a motivation for polytechnics graduates.”

The passage of the bill followed the legislature’s consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the bill by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau on behalf of the committee chairman, Senator Babba Kaita Ahmad.