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Comrade Anderson Ezeibe, National President of ASUP who made
the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday, said the dichotomy
had made young Nigerians not to be interested in polytechnic education in the
country.
He said: “We are urging President Buhari to go ahead and
sign that bill into law. That is another way of saving this sector. As we
speak, the Roman figures are dropping significantly so because the sector is
losing its attraction to young people.
“So we expect him to sign this bill. Other stakeholders in
the sector have also been calling for him to do so. It will be an enduring
legacy if Mr. President succeeds in doing this before he leaves office.”
The bill is seeking to legislate the discrimination of
polytechnic graduates from their university counterparts in employment and
promotion in the workplace.
The bill also seeks to end the discrimination that
stakeholders in the polytechnics have, which for long they sought an end to.
The piece of legislation, sponsored by Senator Ayo
Akinyelure, passed the third reading on the floor of the Senate at plenary.
Speaking on the bill, Chairman of the Joint Committee,
Ibrahim Shekarau (APC, Kano Central), said, “The enactment of the bill to
abolish and prohibit discrimination between First Degrees and Higher National
Diploma for the purpose of employment in Nigeria will no doubt freeholders of
HND from stagnation and ensure balanced treatment with their counterparts from
other higher tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”