President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a committee to resolve the dichotomy between holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND) awarded by polytechnics and Degree awarded by universities. The committee is headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

The committee, according to Supervising Minister for Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, met with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) last week to resolve the issue.

Wike made this known yesterday while addressing chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics and Federal Colleges of Education during a special retreat held in Kaduna.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu,said that Wike “noted that other demands have also been resolved, pointing out that the issue of the release of white-paper for visitation panels to Federal Polytechnics and Federal Colleges of Education is being concluded at the Office of the SGF.”

Continuing, the statement said: “The Minister called on the chairmen of the Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics and Federal Colleges of Education to assist the Federal Government by deploying their relevant skills towards resolving the lingering strike action.

“Wike urgedthe striking unions to reciprocate the gesture of President Jonathan by calling off their strike and resuming academic work in the interest of the nation.”

The statement quoted the Chairman of Committee of Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, as appealing to the striking lecturers to work towards resuming academic activities in line with the commitments made by President Jonathan to further develop Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

It said that “the chairman of the National Board for Technical Education, Igwe Prof. Laz Ekwueme, called for the reconciliation of all parties for academic activities to resume in Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.”

The retreat, according the statement, is being attended by chairmen of governing councils of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. Also in attendance are Rectors, Provosts and officials of National Board of Technical Education, National Commission for Colleges of Education and Federal Ministry of Education.

•Photo shows Senator Anyim.