NEWS FROM NIGERIA.

FG SCRAPS HND PROGRAMMES
The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday March 14th banned Polytechnics from awarding the National Diploma Certificates. With this decision, Polytechnics will no longer admit students for HND programmes. However, the current set of HND students will be allowed to complete their programmes. Under the new dispensation, students in the consolidated polytechnics will graduate with Bachelor of Technology Degree (B/Tech). Notwithstanding the policy shift, the Government will continue to recognise HND's.

2 KILLED, 40 HOUSES BURNT IN RIVERS STATE
Two people were killed and 40 houses destroyed during a violence on wednesday March 14th in Edagberi, Ahoada West Local Govt Area of Rivers State. It was learnt that the violence was sparked off by the release of the result of an election to select a new Chief for the area. According to sources, one chief Onisoman Zudonu emerged as the paramount ruler of Edagberi in the election conducted on March 1st. Apparently dissatisfied with the result, some gun wielding youths stormed Zudonu's house and asked him to forget the throne or loose his life. Although the Chief escaped, the armed men attacked his home and killed his secretary and one other person. Riot police were deployed in the community by Authorities of the State Command to quell the crisis.

NO GOING BACK ON AMENDMENT OF EFCC ACT - SENATE PRESIDENT
The President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani on Wednesday March 14th insisted there was no going back on the decision of the Senate to amend the Act establishing the EFCC. Nnamani said he was interested in the war against corruption being carried through due process. According to Nnamani "He is concerned that this war be effective and not be compromised by special interests that may hide under the toga of Presidential Politics to weaken the effectiveness of the EFCC" The Senate wants the EFCC to be independent of any interference from the Presidency.

INEC MAY ADOPT MODIFIED OPEN SECRET VOTING SYSTEM.
There are indications in Abuja that the Independent National Electoral Commission may adopt the modified open secret ballot system for the April general elections. A source in Inec who made this known on Wednesday said that the system was being considered because of the by the insistence by some political parties that it was the best voting method for the country.