FG warns against sexual harassment in varsities

The Federal Government, through the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on Thursday, warned members of the academia and the university community over matters of sexual harassment on campuses.

The FG noted that the Federal Ministry of Education will deal decisively with perpetrators of such acts.

According to a statement by the spokesperson, Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, which was made available to our correspondent, Mamman gave the warning when he received the report of the committee on alleged sexual harassment by the Dean, Faculty of  Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon.

He said, “Sexual harassment is a serious criminal offence and must be dealt with decisively, when and whenever it occurs, adding that the Federal Ministry of Education will do everything humanly possible to turn the ugly tide in our institutions of higher learning.”

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The minister noted that the offence of sexual harassment is “cancerous and must be eliminated at all cost,” adding 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.

While reiterating that he will evoke the long arm of the law to ensure that perpetrators are adequately punished, the minister added that no one will be allowed to take advantage of vulnerable groups.

The minister disclosed that sexual offences units will be established in the ministry and all institutions of higher learning to deal with the menace.

Earlier in the presentation of her report, the Vice-Chancellor, UNICAL, Prof. Florence Obi, told the minister that the university has followed all due processes in handling the matter including the suspension of the suspect, appropriate queries and setting up of a disciplinary committee to hear all parties.

To ensure a very high degree of transparency, the VC said, “The Public Complaint Commission, Nigeria Bar Association, Federation of Female Lawyers, 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.”