From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
President Bola Tinubu has been urged to approve the bill for the abolishment of dichotomy and discrimination between Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Higher National Diploma (HND).
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), made the call during a peaceful protest titled “Save Polytechnic Education Rally” and tagged: “President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Should End Hnd/BSc Dichotomy Before May 29TH, 2024” in Osogbo, Osun State on Wednesday.
The protesters who converged at the Osun State House of Assembly, marched in solidarity to the Government Secretariat, carrying different placards with inscriptions like “President Asiwaju should assent the bill to abolish HND/BSc dichotomy,” “Asiwaju should put a smile on polytechnic students,” among others.
The NAPS Senate President, Temitope Adeniji, said that having assented to many bills, the President should consider the HND/BSc dichotomy bill, which has already been passed by the 9th Assembly.
He said, “We are here today to send a signal to our father, President Tinubu, to put in the Presidential Signature to this Bill and end the HND/BSc Dichotomy before May 29t,h 2024.
“We observed that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been assenting to many bills, but the HND/BSc dichotomy act hasn’t been attended to.
“Polytechnic Students and Graduates are one of the major groups that support this government, we shouldn’t be treated like an outcast in our Nation, this HND/BSc dichotomy has rendered many.
“Polytechnic graduates as second class citizens and causing a lot of discouragement to the upcoming generation who has intention to attend Polytechnic in Nigeria.”
The Deputy Governor of the state, Kola Adewusi, commended the students for comporting themselves in a peaceful and organized manner, adding that their demands have been heard and through Governor Adeleke, necessary steps will be taken to address their demands.