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Tag: lecturer

  • How to tackle sexual harassment in schools, by lecturer

    How to tackle sexual harassment in schools, by lecturer

    A lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Onoja Johnson Baba, has urged the government, stakeholders, and proprietors of higher institutions to adopt a Digital Anonymous Feedback System (DAFS) to combat the widespread issue of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.

    Onoja made the call while addressing reporters in Lokoja, following the publication of his study titled, “Addressing Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Higher Institutions Through the Feasibility of a Digital Anonymous Feedback System,” in the Asian Review of Social Sciences (ARSS) journal. 

    The journal is produced by the Centre for Research and Innovation at the Bharath Social and Research Foundation, India.

    The study surveyed 400 students across four federal universities and revealed alarming statistics. 

    It showed that 45% of the participants reported experiencing sexual harassment during their university years, with 60% of these incidents occurring on campus. 

    The data also indicated that 62.5% of the affected students were female, highlighting the vulnerability of women in the academic environment.

    One of the key findings of the research was the significant lack of awareness about formal reporting mechanisms. Only 30% of respondents were familiar with existing procedures for reporting sexual harassment. 

    The study emphasized the need for DAFS to provide a safe and confidential platform for victims to report incidents without fear of reprisal.

    Onoja stressed that implementing such a system would not only empower victims but also help institutions address sexual harassment more effectively by improving awareness and accessibility to reporting channels.

    The majority of these incidents involved power imbalances between students and academic or administrative staff, heightening the need for a secure and anonymous reporting platform. 

    The paper further highlights a troubling lack of awareness surrounding formal reporting channels among university students. 

    Only 30% of the respondents were aware of the mechanisms available for reporting sexual harassment, a figure that mirrors findings from similar studies, such as those conducted by Ezugoh, Egwu, and Okaekwu in 2021.

    This gap in awareness and access underscores a significant barrier for students who seek justice, as many are left without the knowledge or resources to safely report harassment.

     “The existing mechanisms are often bureaucratic, and students fear repercussions, especially if they report incidents involving faculty members,” noted the researcher.

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     “Without effective and trusted channels, victims feel isolated and helpless. It’s crucial to rethink our approach to reporting and accountability,” it said. 

     The research reveals overwhelming support for DAFS, with 80% of respondents advocating for its implementation. 

    Students indicated that such a system would allow them to report incidents of sexual harassment safely and anonymously, without fear of retaliation.

    Additionally, 60% of the respondents cited fear of retaliation as a primary concern, while 30% noted stigma, and 10% expressed distrust in existing mechanisms as barriers to reporting harassment. International case studies, such as Ireland’s “Speak Out” tool, serve as promising examples of how anonymous feedback systems can empower victims while enhancing data collection on the prevalence of harassment.

     These systems provide victims with an opportunity to safely voice their experiences, contributing to a broader understanding of harassment on campuses.

     Nigerian universities, advocates argue, could benefit from similar technology-driven solutions to address harassment.

    Based on the findings, the study recommends the adoption of DAFS noting that the system would serve as a confidential platform for students to report harassment, ensuring anonymity and fostering a safer campus environment.

     It also calls for creating platforms for anonymous lecturers reviews, traveling that schools should establish a section on university websites where students can rate and review lecturers as this could deter potential harassers, and that students would also have the option to upload evidence to substantiate claims of harassment.

     It also recommends regular training programs and awareness campaigns are recommended to educate students, faculty, and staff on harassment prevention, support services, and reporting procedures.

     The researcher urge Nigerian universities to prioritize student safety by implementing these changes, stating that failing to address the issue adequately will only allow harassment to persist and negatively impact students’ educational experiences.

    “Students are calling for accountability, and it’s time the institutions listen,” said the researcher.

    “The introduction of anonymous feedback systems and a cultural shift in reporting practices will be critical in fostering an environment where all students can pursue education without fear of harassment.”

    Onoja emphasized that the study aims to guide government and educational institutions in adopting DAFS to create a safer environment for students. 

    He noted the overwhelming support from students for such a system, highlighting that 80% are calling for its adoption and implementation.

    The lecturer said he is ready to partner relevant stakeholders, ministries, universities, and technology firms to explore the practical aspects of integrating DAFS into Nigerian higher education.

  • UNN suspends lecturer for allegedly harassing female student

    UNN suspends lecturer for allegedly harassing female student

    The management of the University of Nigeria(UNN) Nsukka has suspended Mr. Mfonobong David Udoudom, a lecturer in the General Studies division, caught in a video allegedly harassing a female student. 

    Uduodom’s victim is alleged to be someone’s wife.

    It was gathered the lecturer had vowed that the female student would never pass his course unless she had sexual intercourse with him.

    It was further gathered that trouble started immediately after the exams when the lecturer warned some female students would fail the course if they ‘failed to see him’.

    “But, this particular lady who is married started begging the lecturer to collect money instead of s3x but he refused, insisting on doing it in his office,” a university source told The Nation.

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    The source added that the lady informed her husband, who also lodged a complaint with the university authorities, which advised the lady to play along.

    In a viral video, the lecturer was seen naked but only later allowed to wear inner shorts.

    A voice in the viral video said: “We have been following this case from day one. As you can see we have all the chats, voice notes, videos and everything.”

    But, reacting to the development in a statement  on Tuesday, the acting Public Relations Officer, Dr. Okwun Omeaku, declared the indefinite suspension was with immediate effect pending the outcome of a disciplinary panel constituted by the University to investigate the incident. 

    “For the records, the University of Nigeria has a zero tolerance for s3xual misconducts involving our staff and students. 

    “UNN is among the few universities in the country that has a Sexual Harassment Policy, which guides the relationship between our staff and students in particular and among our male and female staff. 

    “As a university, we are committed to protecting our students from any form of abuse and exploitation, and the University Management will not hesitate to punish Mr Mfonobong David Udoudom according to our rules, if he is found guilty by our disciplinary panel,” Omeaku said.

  • Lecturer suspended for corporal punishment

    Lecturer suspended for corporal punishment

    A lecturer with the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, has been suspended for allegedly subjecting students to corporal punishment.

    The university Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations Unit, Sa’idu Abdullahi Nayaya, announced the immediate suspension of the lecturer, whose name was withheld, in a statement on Wednesday.

    A video showing students of the university being subjected to corporal punishment for lateness and other minor offences in their classes had gone viral.

    The varsity management said the punishments included frog jump.

    “Viral video on students maltreatment: The staff in question after the suspension would face the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for further action.

    “The management is hereby assuring parents and guardians and the general public that the welfare and safety of the students are topmost and any breach by whosoever way will not be tolerated and go unpunished.’’

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    “The immediate suspension of the lecturer is part of our efforts to addressing this situation and ensure that the welfare and rights of our students are upheld,” the statement said, emphasising that the institution was committed to maintaining a conducive learning environment for all students.

    The Students Union Government (SUG) of the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology commended the university management for the action against the erring lecturer.

    The SUG President, Adamu Habibu Ado, urged all the students to remain calm as the decisions made by the management, according to him, were taken in the best interest of the university community.

    “It is imperative for students to abide by the rules and regulations set by the school management, as we strive to uphold the highest standards of character and learning,” Ado, however told the students.

  • Lecturer murdered in her residence

    Lecturer murdered in her residence

    A lecturer at the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, Dr Adefolalu Fumilola, has been murdered in her residence in Gbaiko area of Bosso in Minna, Niger State.

    Adefolalu who is a Lecturer with the Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences of the university was discovered dead in her house by her church members. The Nation gathered that worried about her absence in the church where she is a Pastor, the church members went to her house only to discover her in a pool of blood.It was learned that she said stab wounds and the knives used to stab her were found beside her.

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    Chairman, Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) OF the school, Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin confirmed the incident.

    Police authorities later moved the body to the mortuary.

  • Lecturer murdered in her residence in Minna

    Lecturer murdered in her residence in Minna

    A lecturer of the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, Dr Adefolalu Fumilola, has been murdered in her residence in Gbaiko area of Bosso in Minna, Niger state.

    Adefolalu who is a lecturer with the Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences of the university was discovered dead in her house by her church members.

    The Nation gathered that worried about her absence in the church where she is a Pastor, the church members went to her house only to discover her in a pool of blood.

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    It was learned that she iad stab wounds and the knives used to stab her were found beside her.

    The chairman of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) in the school, Professor Gbolahan Bolarin confirmed this.

    Police authorities later moved the body to the mortuary.

    Details shortly…

  • Lecturer declares interest in election

    Lecturer declares interest in election

    A lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ikwo (AEFUNAI), Ebonyi State, Dr. Casimir Ifeanyi, has declared interest in the president of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria.

    The leadership of Nigeria Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), Southeast zone, has unanimously endorsed Ifeanyi as their sole candidate in the election scheduled for next month.

    Ifeanyi, who had served the association at the national level as the publicity secretary, made this known in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State capital. 

    He said the myriad of malevolence against medical laboratory scientists at the federal and state health facilities, and the deficit in the employment ratio would be addressed under his administration if elected.

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    He assured his colleagues in the 36 states, including Abuja, of his resilience and plans as the 16th president to create opportunities for the unemployed laboratory scientists to get employment at the federal and state health facilities.

    Ifeanyi said regular accreditation of health laboratories at the federal and state-owned institutions would be initiated, to ensure adequate laboratory services for Nigerians.

    He said the failure to have round pegs in a round hole in the leadership of medical laboratory scientists was a curse on the association, adding that “it needs a paradigm shift to succeed.”

    Alo Clement, leader of MLS, Ebonyi State chapel, who expressed confidence in Dr. Ifeanyi, described him as a fearless colleague, who would lead the association to the promised land.

  • OAU ‘sex for mark professor’ remanded in prison custody

    A Federal High Court, sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Monday ordered that a “sex for mark” sacked senior lecturer of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Professor  Richard Akindele, to be remanded in prison custody.
    The presiding judge, Justice Maurine Onyetenu, ordered that Akindele be remanded in prison at Ilesa for demanding sex from her post graduate student,  Monica Osagie, before she could pass his course.
    The embattled Professor of Management and Accounting was arraigned in court on a four count charge by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offenses Commission (ICPC).
    The anti-graft agency alleged that the accused unlawfully demanded sex from his student and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section A (1)(2) of the corrupt practices and other related offences.
    The charge sheet read in part: “That you Professor Richard Iyiola Akindele on 16 September, 2018, did unlawfully solicit for sex from your student Monica Osagie, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 of the corrupt practices and other related offences, 2000.”
    The caused person was also alleged to have unlawfully had WhatsApp conversation with Osagie sometimes in June 2018, and thereby committed an offence contrary to the law.
    Taking his plea, the accused pleaded not guilty to the four count charge.
    The Defence Counsel, Mr. F. Omotosho, who urged the court to grant his client bail, said “he is a known professor and can not jump bail.”
    The prosecutor, who is a Senior legal officer with the ICPC, Mr. Kehinde Adetoye, opposed the oral bail application of the counsel, noting that the accused has refused to appear at the commission since he was granted administrative bail.
    He said: “We have been making efforts since 5th of November to effect the service of the process. They have refused to come back and they were not reachable on mobile phone. We are surprised to see them here today. We just served them the process.”
    In her ruling, Justice Onyetenu directed counsel to the accused to file a formal application for the bail of his client.
    She ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody at Ilesa and therefore, adjourned the matter till November 27 for definite hearing.

  • Hoodlums kidnap clerics, lecturer

    A Catholic priest, Revd. Fr. Leo Michael, has been kidnapped at Irepeni village in Adavi Local Government of Kogi State.

    The Nation learnt the incident occurred on Tuesday.

    The cleric is a priest at St. Michael Catholic Church, Obajana.

    A source said a yet-to-be identified pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was also abducted at the same spot on his way to Okene.

    A Chemistry lecturer with the Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba, Mr. Aronimu Samuel Babatunde, was said to have been kidnapped on the Okene-Kabba Road.

    The Diocesan Chancellor of Lokoja Diocese, Bishop Peter Adinoyi, said the abductors emerged from the bush, near Irepeni village, close to a roadblock and dragged Rev. Fr. Michael and one other, believed to be a pastor with the RCCG, out of their cars, into the bush.

    They abandoned the victims’ vehicles.

    He said the abductors had contacted the church, adding they had reduced the ransom from N50 million to N8 million.

    Bishop Adinoyi implored the government to intervene.

    Police spokesman William Aya confirmed the abduction of the Catholic priest.

    He, however, said he was unaware of the kidnap of the RCCG pastor and the lecturer, adding the police were trailing the abductors.

     

  • Lecturer sends students out of class for not buying textbooks

    It was not a good morning for some students of the Faculty of Arts of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, last Monday. A lecturer taking a course titled Poetry in Yoruba Language (YOR 303) sent some 300-Level students out of the class for their failure to buy four textbooks.

    The lecturer, Dr Benard, of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, barred defaulting students from attending her lecture because they could not afford to buy the selected textbooks of anthologies of Yoruba poetry, which cost N1,700.

    The lecturer’s action contravened a directive by the Federal Ministry of Education, barring teaching staff of public tertiary institutions from forcing students to buy textbooks and handouts.

    To punish the defaulters, Dr Benard conducted a continuous assessment test for a few students who bought the textbooks.

    The lecturer’s decision caused discontent among students, who queried the lecturer’s decision to bar them from attending the lecture.

    A student, who spoke under the anonymity condition for fear of being victimised, said: “There is need to educate Dr Benard that this is OAU, where lecturers don’t force students to buy books. Dr Benard is laying too much emphasis on those textbooks as if she authored them. The punishment is unfair to us, because we are not required to buy textbooks.”

    Another student, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “Since I have been admitted into OAU, this is the first course I would see a lecturer sending students out of the class because of textbooks. I don’t understand, because I know OAU does not force students to buy reading materials or textbooks.”

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Dr Benard, from the outset, promised to punish students who failed to buy the four textbooks.

    The fate of defaulting students could not be ascertained as at the time of filing in this report. There was no indication the lecturer would conduct a make-up test for the affected students.

     

  • Lecturer, students raise N260,000 to restore blind man’s sight

    Lecturer, students raise N260,000 to restore blind man’s sight

    FIVE years ago, 22 year old Holy Ogene, an indigene of Ndokwa East of Delta State went blind when he developed cataract in both eyes. Five years on, inability to raise N340, 000, the cost of an operation, has kept him in the dark literarily. But if all goes to plan, within a month, Ogene, will have his sight restored, courtesy of the benevolence of a lecturer and 100 level Law students of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) who raised N260, 000 to complete the funds needed for the operation.

    On Sunday, September 3, 2017, the Managing Editor, Online and Special Publications, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, had published Ogene’s predicament titled ‘Help me recover my sight’ in his column. The column talked about his travails with his vision which started deteriorating at age 14 and solicited for funds to help with an operation which has been postponed for five years.

    Ogene was in luck as a lecturer in the department of English at ABUAD, Mr Olumide Olugbemi-Gabriel, a regular reader of The Nation newspapers said he could not take his mind off his predicament after he read the story. Mr Olubemi-Gabriel then called the phone number displayed on the column by the end of October. He enquired about whether he had done the operation to which Ogene disclosed he had not. He also told the lecturer that the cost of the operation is N340, 000 but he had only raised N120, 000 as at that time.

    Olumide-Gabriel knowing he didn’t have enough money and he intended to helped widows during the yuletide, approached 100 level Law students with the story to seek their assistance.

    “I told them that there is something I want them to do if you could just help do this thing,” Mr Olumide-Gabriel said.

    “They said, ‘what was it?’ I told them.  They said they were willing to do it. So the next class, I took the story to the class and I called one of them to read the story to the class and I asked for voluntary donation from everyone. I started by donating N20, 000. We started getting donations. A parent gave us N50, 000, another parent sent N10, 000. At the end of last week, we had N258, 500.”

    The lecturer then added N1, 500 to make it a round figure of N260, 000 to cover the operation.

    And penultimate Thursday, Mr Olumide-Gabriel accompanied by his wife and two children were at The Nation office in Lagos to present the cash of N260, 000 to Ogene and his mother.

    “I’m hoping that the next time I see him, he’ll be able to see me,” said Mr Olumide-Gabriel who celebrated his 40th birthday on August 14, 2017 by donating to charities – hospital, children’s home, widows and the handicapped.

    “And that would be the success story for all of us including The Nation who broke the story and Mr Lekan (Otufodunrin) that has been very helpful. He has told me every help that Mr Otufodunrin has rendered. I’m not surprised.

    “What we are doing at ABUAD is because of the philosophy of our founder. Our founder, Afe Babalola is a very generous man that likes to help and that’s the spirit behind ABUAD. All of us have keyed into that and that is what I’m expressing.”

    Ogene, who is set to begin treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, thanked The Nation newspapers and Mr. Otufodunrin and said he can now proceed with the operation.

    “With this now, in less than a month, I should get my vision back,” Ogene, the first child in a family of four that resides in Alausa, Lagos said. While his mother, Mrs Mercy Ogene, is a petty trader, his father is ill in their village in Delta State.

    “I want to thank the Afe Babalola students and Mr Olumide and his wife and my mummy standing by me. I want to say thank you all.”

    Ogene’s mother could also not hide her gratitude as she knelt and thanked God.

    For him, this development is significant in his road to recovering his vision.

    “It started five years ago,” said Ogene about the origin of his cataract. Then, he was a student at Babs Fafunwa Millennium Secondary School, Ojodu, Lagos.

    “My vision started getting fainter and fainter. Gradually, I noticed that I have cataract on my left eye and I was asked to operate it. Due to no financial assistance, we were pressing it down with drugs. But it finally got to the other eye.”

    Seeking financial assistance for his operation was also arduous. He came across Mr Otufodunrin when a cousin of his went to appeal for funds on his behalf.

    “Actually, I told my cousin and we were on air on a radio station. So through the radio station, someone from Wazobia FM said he knows a journalist that is very kind. He sent the number to me. And then I called Mr Lekan (Otufodunrin) and I told him everything. He said, ‘okay, doctor’s report and everything.”

    But the first time Mr Otufodunrin published Ogene’s case about two years ago, there was no favourable response.

    “This is the second time the issue is coming on air,” said Ogene who is an upcoming musician and politician.

    “So, I’m lucky to have this help. As this (help) came, I now called him that this is what I’ve come up with. He said ‘Okay.’

    The Nation Deputy Editor (News), Adeniyi Adesina, who was present at the handing over of the cash to Ogene and his mother expressed his happiness and prayed for the restoration of her son’s sight.

    “This newspaper (The Nation) is for the service of the people,” Adeniyi said.

    “We believe that whatever we can do to advance the cause of humanity is a great thing to do for a newspaper. I thank God that Mr. Olumide got touched by a story that we published. Our journey would be fuller when by the time we see you, you have regained your vision.”