Sexual harassment is increasingly reported as an issue of major concern between students and staff on campuses across the globe.
This has been been confirmed to have social and psychological consequences on the victim.
FG Warns Academia
On Thursday October 12, the Federal Government, represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, issued a warning to academia members.
He also warns the university community concerning issues of sexual harassment happening on campuses.
The Federal Ministry of Education, as emphasized by a statement from its spokesperson, Ben Goong, will take drastic actions against those responsible for such misconduct.
Sexual Harassment In UNICAL
Prof. Mamman delivered this warning while receiving the report from the committee investigating allegations of sexual harassment.
This scenario involved Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar.
“Sexual harassment is a serious criminal offence and must be dealt with decisively, when and whenever it occurs.
“And the Federal Ministry of Education will do everything humanly possible to turn the ugly tide in our institutions of higher learning.” he stated.
The minister noted that the offence of sexual harassment is “cancerous and must be eliminated at all cost.”
He stated that all hands must be on deck to tackle the menace in our educational system.
He also maintained that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is out to protect the vulnerable groups within the country’s educational system.
The minister disclosed that sexual offences units will be established in the ministry and all institutions of higher learning to deal with the menace.
Investigations
Earlier in the presentation of her report, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Florence Obi, told the minister that the university has followed all due processes in handling the matter.
This includes the suspension of the suspect, appropriate queries and setting up of a disciplinary committee to hear all parties.
“The disciplinary committee includes the Public Complaint Commission, Nigeria Bar Association, Federation of Female Lawyers.
Also, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Chief Judge of the Student’s Union High Court as well as seven civil society organisations were brought onboard the committee as observers.” She stated