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Senate passes bill to end discrimination between first degree, HND holders

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The Senate has passed a bill that prohibits employers in the country from discriminating between first degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders.

The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Joint Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters; and Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND.

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 free holders of HND from stagnation and ensure balanced treatment with their counterparts from other higher tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”

He added that the abolishment of the existing dichotomy between HND holders and graduates of Universities would meet the huge manpower needs of Nigerians, ensure social justice and enhanced corporate governance, as well encourage patriotic contributions amongst HND employees in both public and private sectors.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks after the bill was passed, emphasised that the passage of the bill would serve as motivation for polytechnic graduates.

He, therefore, called on the public and private sectors to ensure the implementation of the bill’s provisions as soon as it is signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Lawan said: “This particular issue has been in the front burner for a long time. I recall that in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007, this was one bill that was so important, and is one way of encouraging our Polytechnic graduates.

“That should not take away from the kind of training they receive, but, in fact, it is supposed to be a motivation for our polytechnic graduates.

“[And] I pray that the Federal Government and all those government agencies and the private sector would start to implement this by the time the President assents to this bill.”

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Education

First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu Commissions ICT Centre at EKSU, Reaffirms Commitment to Digital Empowerment

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Nigeria’s First Lady and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday commissioned a state-of-the-art ICT Experience Centre at Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, describing the facility as a strategic investment in digital education, innovation and youth empowerment.

 

The ICT centre, which was facilitated through her Renewed Hope Initiative in partnership with Tetfund was part of efforts to expand access to technology and digital opportunities for young Nigerians.

 

Dignitaries at the event include, Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, his Ondo State Counterpart, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele among others.

 

Speaking while commissioning the ICT centre, Senator Tinubu said the facility would provide students and other beneficiaries with the skills and tools required to thrive in the digital economy and compete favorably in the global digital stage.

 

Stressing the importance of equipping young people with relevant technological knowledge to enhance innovation, entrepreneurship and national development, the First Lady noted that the ICT Experience Centre represents another milestone in the Renewed Hope Initiative’s interventions aimed at empowering women, youths and students across the country.

 

She expressed confidence that the facility would serve as a hub for learning, creativity and technological advancement within the university community and beyond.

 

“I’m really happy to be in Ekiti, this is part of the programme that the Tinubu administration is rendering in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative which I chair, and Tetfund, we were able to give this center to you and I pray that more will come to the state. We have done a lot of work in Ekiti State though the office of the First Lady”, the First Lady asserted.

 

 

Earlier in their separate remarks, the Chancellor of the University, Dr Tunji Olowolafe and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Babatola Ayodele, expressed profound gratitude to the First Lady for facilitating the project. They described the centre as a valuable addition to the state’s educational infrastructure and a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to human capital development.

 

They maintained that the facility would significantly enhance digital learning, research and innovation and pledged to make effective use of the centre in advancing academic excellence and technological development at the university.

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Students Call for Quality Education, Healthcare and Accountability in Governance

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The Ekiti State Commissioner for Education , Dr Olabimpe Aderiye, has urged students to embrace values that promote positive development, active citizenship and responsible leadership as essential ingredients for building a better society and sustaining good governance.

 

Aderiye gave the charge during the 2026 Children’s Day Symposium organised by the Ekiti State Ministry of Education, where students from selected secondary schools across the state deliberated on the theme: “Child Development and Good Governance.”

 

The symposium featured presentations from representatives of various schools, including Adebisi Elizabeth of Corpus Christi College, Ilawe-Ekiti; John Jasper of Daglore Model College, Ikole-Ekiti; Ale Oluwademilade of Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti; Chukwuka Favour of St. Mary’s Girls Grammar School, Ikole-Ekiti; Alayande Oreoluwa of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti; and Faboyede Fisayo of Alamoye Comprehensive High School, Aramoko-Ekiti.

 

The students, in their presentations, described child development and good governance as inseparable, noting that child development represents “good governance translated into action and policies.”

 

They explained that good governance entails responsible leadership that guarantees protection, quality education, healthcare, nutrition, accountability and improved living standards for citizens.

 

The students also acknowledged their roles in nation-building, stressing the need for children to support government efforts by protecting public property, obeying laws, maintaining order and becoming responsible citizens.

 

Aderiye, who monitored the competition, commended the students for their intellectual depth, confidence and understanding of governance and societal values.

 

She encouraged them to shun fear and self-doubt, reminding them that greatness resides in every child willing to dream, learn and lead responsibly.

 

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Bayode Ogunmola, described children as the foundation of every progressive society.

 

According to him, investment in children’s education, welfare and moral upbringing remains a top priority of government.

 

Ogunmola said the symposium was designed to equip children with the knowledge, confidence and values required to become responsible leaders, patriotic citizens and future change-makers.

 

In their remarks ,the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Mrs Adetoun Agboola, and the Director-General, Civic Orientation and Citizenship, also commended the administration of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji for placing children at the centre of governance through policies and programmes promoting inclusive education, improved access to quality learning and enhanced healthcare services.

 

The commissioner later presented cash prizes to participating speakers and other contributors in recognition of their outstanding performances at the symposium.

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Tinubu Appoints Professor Segun Aina as New JAMB Registrar

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President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has appointed Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), following the completion of the tenure of Professor Is-haq Oloyede.

According to the announcement, Professor Oloyede’s second and final term as JAMB Registrar will officially end on July 31, 2026, paving the way for Professor Aina to assume leadership of the nation’s foremost tertiary admissions body.

Professor Aina, who will turn 40 in July, is widely recognised as a respected academic, technology expert, and specialist in digital systems and institutional reforms. His appointment is seen as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s educational and examination systems through innovation and technology-driven administration.

The new JAMB Registrar obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent. He also earned a Master’s degree in Internet Computing and Network Security, alongside a PhD in Digital Signal Processing from Loughborough University. In addition, he completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.

A Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Aina began his early professional journey with JAMB during his National Youth Service. His experience with the examination body reportedly gave him deep insight into Nigeria’s admission and examination processes, shaping his later contributions to digital examination reforms and systems development.

With more than 15 years of professional experience, Professor Aina has worked closely with federal and state governments on digital transformation, institutional reforms, and technology-driven policy implementation. At the age of 39, he became one of Nigeria’s youngest professors in Computer Engineering and is now set to become the youngest Registrar in JAMB’s history.

Over the years, he has also served as a consultant to several examination bodies, including the National Examinations Council (NECO), the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and different State Ministries of Education, where he contributed to improving examination integrity, ICT systems, and digital administrative processes.

Professor Aina is also affiliated with several professional organisations, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

President Tinubu expressed confidence that the newly appointed registrar would build on the achievements of his predecessor and further reposition JAMB through innovation, efficiency, and transparent administration.

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