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Prof. Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has warned lecturers of the university to avoid sexual harassment of their students or be prepared to face serious sanctions.

Igwe gave the warning on Tuesday at a symposium entitled, “Sexual harassment in tertiary institutions: Time for action is now”, organised by UNN Gender and Development Centre in collaboration with Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL).

He said his administration had zero tolerance for sexual harassment and would not hesitate to sanction any lecturer found guilty after thorough investigations.

“Under my watch in UNN as VC, the institution will maintain and respect the motto of the university, which is to ‘Restore the Dignity of Man’”.

The VC commended the organisers of the programme, saying that it came at a period sex-for -marks in tertiary institutions had become a national dicourse.

Igwe, who was represented by Prof. Pat Okpoko, the Deputy VC (Administration), also advised female students to avoid indecent dressing, with the intention to lure lecturers with low moral standard.

He said: “UNN has beamed its searchlight on both staff and students that will involve in sexual harassment.

“Female students should dress well to avoid sexual harassment as provocative dressing most times lead to sexual harassment.

“The reason why your parents sent you to school is to read so as to graduate with good results and not to seduce men with indecent dressing.”
The Founder of WACOL, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, who spoke on the theme of the symposium, said that research by the group showed that in every three female students in any tertiary institution, one was sexually harassed.

She said that victims were not always ready to speak out because of the fear of victimisation or stigmatization.

Female students are always more vulnerable when it comes to sexual harassment as recent research shows that one in every three female students, one is sexually harassed.

The law, religion, tradition and morality are against sexual harassment, but unfortunately this has become a cankerworm in our tertiary institutions,” she said.

READ ALSO: Aisha Buhari seeks thorough probe of sex-for-marks cases

Ezeilo, who is also the Dean, Faculty of Law, UNN Enugu campus, therefore, challenged administrators of tertiary institutions to spearhead the fight against all vices in educational system particularly cultism, sorting and sexual harassments.

Sexual harassments have devastating effect on learning and the capacity of persons graduating from tertiary institutions in the country.

“We must seek for effective ways to curb this menace and restore the dignity of men and women and build a conducive learning environment, where academic discipline and freedom reigns supreme,” she said.

Earlier, Prof. Anthonia Achike, Director Gender and Development Centre, UNN, expressed concern over the rising cases of sex-for-marks in tertiary institutions in the country.

Achike commended the National Assembly for its move to enact legislation against sexual harassment in tertiary institutions and society at large.

“It’s unfortunate that some victims have refused to report cases of sexual harassment for fear of losing their jobs as well as the public stigma it will bring to their image.

“When we talk of sexual harassment, it is not only men harassing female students but sometimes female lecturers also sexually harass male students.

“To tackle this societal menace that has become a serious hindrance and setback to academic excellence, all hands must on deck,” Achike said.

NAN

Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

 

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) chapter, yesterday began boycott of lectures and academic activities following the failure of the two owner states, Oyo and Osun, to meet their demands.

This decision was reached at the congress of the union held on the campus yesterday.

ASUU Chairman Dr. Biodun Olaniran said the decision was reached after reviewing the situation regarding non-payment of three months salaries.

ASUU had issued an ultimatum to the university management to pay their salaries or face strike.

Olaniran said besides the boycott of lectures, results of Rain Semester will be withheld, while students’ project defence will be put on hold.

Read Also: Osun still indebted to LAUTECH, say Oyo workers

Part of the resolutions reached at the congress include withholding of the Rain Semester results, boycott of classes by lecturers and putting on hold final year project defence.

The resolutions read: “ The Congress of ASUU met today (Monday 18/11/2019) at 250 LT, Ogbomoso. After a thorough review of the resolution of the congress of (Tuesday 05/11/2019), the congress resolved that: 2018/2019 Rain Semester results will not be released. No teaching of any form of lecture to be carried out. Final year project defence of 2018/2019 has been put on hold. The action starts immediately.”

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Education, has given approval for the establishment of 173 private schools across the state’s five divisions.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, made this known while issuing letters of approval to the beneficiaries in Ikeja.

Adefisayo said in a statement released on Tuesday that the approval for the private schools was part of efforts to entrench inclusiveness in the education sector.

She said that the present administration was willing to partner with critical stakeholders in the Private Education Sector, as a catalyst to take education in the state to the next level.

“Despite the fact that the number of schools in Lagos, especially in the private sector, has increased tremendously, the yawning gap between demand and supply clearly shows that more schools are needed to meet our educational target.

“We need more private schools to come on board for us to be able to cater to the ever-increasing educational needs of a fast-growing metropolis like ours,” the commissioner said.

Adefisayo urged all school owners to reflect excellence in their service delivery, integrate 21st century skills into their teaching methods and to make provision for special students.

She urged school owners to employ only qualified teachers, emphasise digital literacy and adhere to the recommended curriculum for teaching.

The Director, Private Education and Special Programmes, Mrs Adetutu Adebowale, said that there was the need for school owners to maintain the standard that earned them the approval of the state government.

Adebowale said that private school operators could not afford to fail in their complementary role needed to move the sector to greater heights.

Responding on behalf of the private nursery and primary schools, Mrs Chinyelu Anidebe, a school proprietor, urged the ministry to always make the new curriculum available on time.

Anidebe called on the ministry to update the current curriculum and initiate enlightenment programmes aimed at dissuading parents from encouraging their children to skip primary six.

In the same vein, another proprietor, Capt. Femi Olaiya, representing the secondary school subsector, encouraged the ministry to utilise all available media to disseminate information on the criteria for approval to school owners and to also hasten the process.

(NAN)

Sanni Onogu, Abuja

 

A Bill to establish the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) on Tuesday scaled first reading in Senate.

The Bill titled: “North Central Development Commission (Est, etc) Bill 2019” was sponsored by the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Mohammed Sani Musa.

The NCDC bill represents the third bill seeking to create a development commission in some geopolitical zones of the country in the last one week.

Others include the South East Development Commission Bill and the South West Development Commission Bill.

Read Also: Senate swears-in Senator Dambaba

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission was established in year 2000 and 2017 respectively through the Acts of the National Assembly.

With the presentation of the NCDC Bill by the Senate on Tuesday, only the North West region is yet to present such Bill.

Former England striker John Fashanu believes that Joe Aribo will become a “key player” for the Super Eagles according to an interview in The Sun of Scotland.

Fashanu spoke during the international break during which Nigeria defeated Benin Republic and Lesotho that saw Aribo impressing again before he substituted late in the game.

When asked about the long-term prospects for Aribo, Fashanu said: “Aribo is going to be a very important player for Nigeria. He is going to be one of our key players for years. He’s been doing very well for Rangers and has been exceptional since his debut for Nigeria”.

“Joe is going to be targeted by the opposition because they know what he can do. It’s important he is used properly by us because he’s vital for the team”.

“Nigeria have very strong and skillful players. Joe Aribo is one of them. He has been doing well at his club and everyone knows he is a very dangerous player. He’s one we have to watch”.

Aribo has made an immediate impact at Ibrox since arriving from Charlton on a development fee after his contract ran out, scoring 5 goals and 3 assists in 23 appearances.

Not only has he scored important Europa League goals but he has made his debut for Nigeria including a well-taken goal against Brazil, despite former manager Lee Bowyer saying he had made “the wrong move”, he appears to be doing alright for himself.

Fashanu has been impressed with Aribo since he made his Nigeria debut and just a few games in has predicted a big future for him. The young midfielder is adept in a few roles and is capable of winning the ball back and playing a part in building attacks.

 

THE Ebola vaccination campaign in Congo is neither insufficient nor does it suffer from shipping delays, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday.

The explanation came after criticism from medical aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

The group on Monday said the UN health agency is not transparent enough.

Calling for an increased pace of immunisation, MSF also charged that only a fraction of the eligible population is benefiting from the current vaccine because the WHO imposes strict eligibility criteria and limits the number of doses.

“The criticism that the number of people vaccinated is not sufficient is not backed by data,” WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said in Geneva.

The WHO is carrying out a so-called ring vaccination, targeting all people, who had contact with infected persons.

Infections have stopped within one or two weeks after ring vaccinations, according to Chaib.

READ ALSO: FG, WHO launch triennial plan to reduce prevalence of Noma

The haemorrhagic fever has infected more than 3,000 people and killed at least 2,000 since an outbreak was declared 13 months ago in Congo’s volatile Eastern region.

The WHO declared the outbreak an international health emergency in July, after the disease spread to Goma, a major urban centre near the border with Rwanda.

The UN agency pointed out that it cannot send all available vaccines to Congo, because emergency stocks are needed in case the virus spreads to neighbouring countries.

In addition, vaccines cannot be sent to the field in large volumes, as any interruption of the cold chain would destroy many doses.

More than 223,000 people have been immunised so far.

By John Austin Unachukwu

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) will on Saturday confer honourary Doctor of Laws ( LL.D) on two legal practitioners.

The awardees are Chief Okeaya Ineh (SAN) and Chief Richard Oma Ahonaruogho.

Read Also: When securocrats and lawyers came calling

 

Both lawyers and other awardees in other categories were selected from among 12 candidates shortlisted for the awards.

The conferment of the awards is part of the 2019 convocation ceremonies  of the University.

 

Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado Ekiti

 

There is palpable fear in Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, as the university management has been accused of making underground moves to sack over 500 workers.

The Nation gathered that the workers were those that were employed by the former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Oye Bandele.

It was also learnt that some professors and workers, who were unduly promoted during that time, might be demoted over allegation that academic due process was not adhered to in their elevations.

One of the affected workers, who spoke of condition of anonymity, told The Nation that the new management, chaired by Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Bamitale Omole, had consistently been complaining that over bloated workforce exists in the university and that prompt action must be taken to correct it.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), EKSU chapter, had in September threatened to embark on strike owing to inability to pay their salaries and other benefits.

Read ALSO: I want to leave a world-class varsity, says EKSU VC

The ASUU Chairman, Dr. Kayode Arogundade, disclosed that the monthly wage bill of the university had increased from N380 million to over N502 million, while the monthly subvention from the government stood at N260 million, leaving the university to grapple hard to make up for the N262 million shortfall internally.

The source, who was employed as an academic staff, said: “I can confirm to you authoritatively that efforts are in top gear by the university management to issue out sack letters to over 500 workers because of complaints that the university was overstaffed.

“We have been notified and anytime from now, the letters of disengagement will be distributed and this has been creating panic and tension in the university,” he said.

EKSU’s Public Relations Officer Mr. Bode Olofinmuagun said the management had no plan to sack or demote any worker.

“There is no tension on campus over sack issue. I am on campus as I speak with you. The university is peaceful and I am not aware of any such plan,” he said.

Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

 

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday promised that its victorious candidates in last Saturday’s governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states will justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate in both states.

While dedicating the party’s electoral victories in last Saturday’s governorship polls to the people in the two states, the APC assured them that they would reap the dividends of their support for its candidates.
The party, in a statement in Abuja signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, also thanked members of the party in both states for working hard to bring the party victory in their respective states, describing the successes as well-deserved.

While it viewed the situation in Bayelsa as landmark, having come against all odds and many established obstacles in Kogi, the APC thanked the people for ditching all alleged orchestrated propaganda and tribal campaigns against the party and its candidate.
On the Kogi West Senatorial District by-election, which was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party expressed the confidence that its candidate would eventually reclaim his mandate whenever the remaining part of the election will be concluded.

The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) thanks the good people of Kogi and Bayelsa states over the party’s resounding victories in the governorship elections.

“We congratulate all Nigerians, our teeming supporters and members for the hard-fought election victories. Indeed, these victories are as significant as are well-deserved.

“In Kogi, our great party is delighted that the good people of the state ignored the propaganda and clannish campaigns of the opposition and reelected our candidate, Governor Yahaya Bello. We cannot thank the Kogi electorate enough.

“Although, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the senatorial election in Kogi West district inconclusive, we are confident that when the supplementary election is held, our candidate, Senator Smart Adeyemi will reclaim his earlier stolen mandate.

“Our Party’s victory in Bayelsa State is even more of a landmark. Against all odds and in defiance of the established but retrogressive political order since 1999, Bayelsans decided through their votes to overwhelmingly elect our governorship candidate, David Lyon.

Read Also: Lyon’s victory in Bayelsa turning point for APC – Akeredolu

“Bayelsans decided to ditch the disastrous regime of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pitch their tent with a progressive platform. This a sacred trust our candidate and party will not take for granted.
“The Party expresses profound appreciations to President Muhammadu Buhari for his moral support for our candidates; the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, our governors and other party leaders for their support and distinguished presence at our rallies in Kogi and Bayelsa; the First Lady, Hajia Aisha Muhammadu Buhari; wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, for rallying massive support during the final grand rally in Lokoja, Kogi State.

“We appreciate the tireless efforts of our National Campaign Councils for Kogi and Bayelsa, headed by the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai and Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, respectively.

“We dedicate our Party’s election successes to the good people of the two states, with a solemn promise that our victorious candidates would justify the confidence reposed in them.

“Finally, there remains much to be done in ensuring the sanctity of our electioneering process, particularly partisan approach to elections. The PDP must begin to address itself to the new reality that votes are beginning to count. PDP’s retrogressive tactics of massive thumb printing, ballot box snatching, vote buying, thuggery, violence and other illegal schemes will no longer win elections for them.”

Agency Reporter

 

This was contained in a statement issued by the institution’s ASUU Chairman, Dr Biodun Olaniran, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.

Olaniran said that the decision to boycott academic activities was reached after reviewing the situation regarding the non-payment of three months salaries to the lecturers.

Read Also: Osun still indebted to LAUTECH, say Oyo workers

He said that ASUU had earlier issued an ultimatum to the university management to pay the lecturers their outstanding salaries or face industrial action.

According to the ASUU chairman, apart from boycott of lectures, results of rain semester will be withheld, while the project defence by final year students will be put on hold.

 

(NAN)