The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OAU

  • Dickson takes restructuring debate to OAU

    The Bayelsa State Governor,  Seriake Dickson, has taken the ongoing debate on restructuring to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
    The  state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said in a statement on Monday that the governor would deliver a major lecture on restructuring at the prestigious university on July 12.
    He said the governor was invited by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof . Eyitope Ogunbodede, to deliver a lecture on the topic, “Restructuring and the Search for a Productive Nigeria”.
    Dickson has been at the vanguard of the  crusade for restructuring to evolve true federalism, power devolution for a stronger and egalitarian country.
    The governor has insisted on a restructured Nigerian Federation built on fairness and justice which could aspire to be among the greatest in the world.
    He has held series of meetings with political leaders across party lines where he demanded implementation of the recommendations of the All Progressive Congress Committee on Restructuring led by the Governor òf Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El Rufai.
    The commissioner also quoted Dickson as saying that the issue of restructuring would take a centre stage in the campaigns during the forthcoming general elections.
    Iworiso Markson said that it was the repeated  view of Dickson that the election would be a referendum on restructuring,
    According to the commissioner, the governor would also comment on pressing national issues considered to be in the general interest of the country.

  • 11 universities to share FG’s N84m research grant

    The Acting Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Abubakar Bwari, said on Saturday that at least 11 universities in the country would share the Federal Government’s N84 million research grant.

    The fund, spread amongst the tertiary institutions, is basically for geological mapping, mining engineering and materials and metallurgical engineering.

    Bwari, who disclosed this while presenting letters of participation in research development to representatives of the universities, said the federal government has made data generation, retrieval and storage a priority and has continued to invest hugely in the area.

    The institutions are – Obafemi Awolowo University (N9 million), Federal University of Technology Minna, (N9 million), University of Nigeria Nsukka, (N9 million), Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, (N9 million), University of Port Harcourt (N6.5 million) and University of Jos (N6.5 million).

    Others are – University of Lagos (N6.5 million), University of Ibadan (N6.5million), Nasarawa State University, Keffi, (N6.5 million), Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki, (N6.5 million) and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, (N9 million).

    Bwari said: ” I am delighted to be here today to present Letters of Participation in Research Development to representatives of some of Nigeria’s foremost universities as part of our ministry‘s collaboration with tertiary institutions.

    “I am told that this is the first time the ministry will be giving out such assistance to universities research purposes, but I can assure you that this will certainly not be the last.

    “In the last two and half years, this ministry has established a consistent pattern of engaging and listening to stakeholders in order to secure their input into policy formulation and implementation.

    “This administration has therefore made data generation, retrieval and storage a priority and has continued to invest hugely in this area. As our source of funding improves, we intend to continuously increase the amount of money we spend on this critical component of mining.

    “The N84 million that is being shared by 11 universities today for research development in various areas relating to mapping and evaluation of particular mineral deposits will no doubt increase the fountain of geoscience data available to investors.”

  • Sex for marks: OAU sacks Professor

    The Governing Council of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife has dismissed Prof Richard Akindele for sexually harassing Ms Monica Osagie, a student of the university.

    The Council announced his dismissal at its meeting yesterday following the recommendation of the university Senate on June 20, 2018.

    The Senate had considered the report of the committee set up to investigate the allegations of sexual misconduct and established that Osagie was truly sexually harassed by Akindele.

    In its report to the Council, the Senate noted that:

    “Professor Akindele had an inappropriate relationship with his student Miss Osagie.  This was established through their conversation in the audio recording; his reply to the query; the oral evidence; and the printed ‘WhatsApp conversations’ tendered before the Committee.

    “He had acted in a manner that is seen to have compromised his position as a teacher and examiner, in that, his conversations with Miss Osagie were about examination scores and inducement of favour for the alteration of examination scores.

    Miss Monica Osagie, a student in the Masters of Business programme, had released a recorded telephone conversation, which went viral, in which the lecturer identified as Akindele  demanded five rounds of sex to enhance her marks.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede said that the University Senate at its meeting on June 14 considered the committee’s finding that Akindele had an inappropriate relationship with his student.

    He said this was established through their conversation in the audio recording,  his reply to the query,  the oral evidence  and the printed ‘WhatsApp conversations’ tendered before the committee.

    The vice chancellor  said Akindele had acted in a manner that  compromised his position as a teacher and examiner  in that  his conversations with  Osagie were about examination scores and inducement of favour for the alteration of examination scores.

    Ogunbodede said :  ” He offered to change Miss Osagie’s purported “33%” result to a pass mark in consideration for sexual favours;  this was established in the audio recording which he admitted.

    ” His claim that Miss Osagie knew that she had passed with a score of ‘45’ but was seeking to score an ‘A’ and that this led to him being sexually harassed by Miss Osagie cannot be supported by any evidence.

    ” Professor Akindele’s actions in requesting for sexual favours from Miss Osagie to change her examination scores was scandalous behaviour that has brought ridicule to the name of the university and has tarnished the reputation of the university, as it portrays the university as an institution where its teachers and examiners trade marks for sexual favours.

    ” From the evidence, Miss Osagie had no idea that she scored ‘45’, a pass mark as later claimed by Professor Akindele, although she later found out she did not fail the course.

    ” Professor Akindele’s claim that he reported Miss Osagie’s ‘harassment’ to his colleagues cannot be supported by any evidence as all his colleagues denied it and one mentioned that she only talked about the matter with him after the audio recording was released over the internet.

    ” Professor Akindele operated in a position of power and authority over Miss Osagie and as such sexually harassed her.

    Read Also: Sex-for-marks: Prof. failed me deliberately, says student

    The Senate therefore found him “liable for all the allegations of misconduct levelled against him” and recommended his dismissal.

    To check sexual harassment in the university, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, said the institution had strengthened its Sexual Harassment policy which was approved since 2013 and was developing a whistleblowing policy to encourage students and members of staff to report cases.

    ” The Council, at its meeting of today, Wednesday, 20th of June, 2018, having considered the recommendation of Senate, as well as the report of the Joint Committee of Council and Senate, decided that Professor Richard I. Akindele should be dismissed from the services of the university for gross misconduct.

    ” The university has also taken further steps to ensure the total elimination of Sexual Harassment (SH) in the OAU community.

    “The university has a legal duty to prevent sexual and gender-based harassment within the institution and ensure that both men and women are protected from this menace; and thereby provide conducive environment for teaching and learning,’’ he said.

    Ogunbodede said in order to create conducive environment for teaching and learning, the university was creating more awareness and disseminating information on what constitutes sexual harassment within the university.

    He said the veracity of  sexual harassment concepts includes sexual solicitation and advances, sex exploitation, prostitution, seduction, pimping, sexual assault, unwanted touching, vulgar sexual jokes and  rape among others.

    Ogunbodede said that OAU was fully committed to the eradication of sexual and other types of harassment from the university and would do all that was  possible to nip the menace in the bud.

    ” OAU has zero tolerance for sexual harassment and as a renowned university will do everything humanly possible to maintain the rules and regulations of the university,’’ he said.

    Miss Monica Osagie, the alleged victim in the sex-for-marks scandal, had told the investigative panel that Prof. Richard Akindele allegedly failed her because she refused his sexual demand.

    She said she did not score 33 per cent as the lecturer claimed, alleging that he failed her so that she could accede to his sexual request.

    According to her lawyer, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Monica gave evidence at the panel .

    Monica, a Master’s student, released a recorded phone conversation, which went viral, in which the lecturer, identified as Akindele, demanded five rounds of sex to increase her marks.

    The committee, which held its session at the Pro-Chancellor’s Lodge, admitted only Monica and her lawyer.

  • OAU has the best ICT Facility in the country – VC

    The Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile ife, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede has said the varsity has the best ICT Facility in the country.

    Prof Eyitope stated this during the Matriculation ceremony for the new 2017/2018 academic session held on Tuesday.

    The VC also congratulated the newly matriculated students, saying that they are  lucky to be admitted into the varsity.

    “Self management and strategies must be applied and you should have the ideas and must be creative to move the varsity forward,” he said,

    “This varsity is known for learning and culture so anyone caught fighting will be expelled. The school has zero tolerance for cultism, exam malpractice, sexual harassment, anti social behaviour amongst other ills of the society as the school would not condone any of us this from any student”.

    He further admonished the students to beware of friends that will lure them into bad behaviour and all forms of anti social behaviours that will interrupt their academic session.

  • CPC hails OAU for sexual harassment case

    The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has hailed the management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, for its prompt action in the alleged sexual harassment of its female student.

    The Director-General, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, in a statement issued yesterday by Mr. Abiodun Obimuyiwa, CPC’s head of Media, noted that the council has followed the controversy regarding the demand for sex in exchange for grades.

    Recently, there was a leaked and widely circulated audio clip, which appeared to have captured a telephone conversation or “negotiation” between a female student and a faculty member at OAU.

    The audio clip had been authenticated and the member of faculty and student/victim were identified.

    According to Irukera, “CPC notes the prompt actions taken by the authorities of OAU and praises the responsiveness so far displayed, in addressing a rather insidious and predatory incident.

    “The council welcomes the expressed commitment of OAU to an open and transparent investigation, as well as the promise to publish the outcome of the investigation.

    “It encourages OAU to ensure this investigation is broad, balanced and inclusive.”

    Irukera urged the school management to include people and views from stakeholders in handling the case to promote confidence, equity and fairness.

    He listed such stakeholders as faculty, professional disciplinary bodies, student representation, relevant civil society specialising in sexual harassment, gender objectification, consumer protection and the National Human Rights Commission.

    The CPC boss urged the management to ensure the investigation encourages contributions and protected known and anonymous contributors.

    He said the authorities must provide safeguards that such persons were not victimised, “blacklisted”, or subjected to any reprisal on account of their cooperation.

    Irukera said: “A transparent, comprehensive and decisive approach to a matter of this nature is vital for reputation and quality of education.

    “Failure to fully and sufficiently address the issue compromises the entire institution and victimises not only the students who are directly solicited, induced or compelled, but also others who decline, and those who are not considered or propositioned.

    “This is because educational outcomes skewed by such factors operate to the disadvantage of all, especially where class rank is a factor in evaluating performance.”

    He called on relevant authorities in OAU and other institutions “to address this conduct, or others ancillary to it in order to restore institutional reputation.”

    This, Irukera said, would ensure that students, being consumers of educational services, pursued scholarship in institutions that provided safe, secure and liberal environment.

    He said it would also ensure that the relationship between faculty and students led to a robust and confident knowledge-sharing.

  • Sex scandal: Monica appears before panel

    Miss Monica Osagie, the student who alleged that a don at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun, demanded sex from her for marks on Tuesday appeared before an investigative committee set up by the university authorities.

    Osagie, a postgraduate student in the Masters of Business programme, had released a recorded telephone conversation, which went viral, in which the lecturer identified as Prof. Richard Akindele, allegedly demanded sex for marks.

    The committee, which held its session at the Pro -Chancellor’s Lodge on the campus, allowed only Osagie and her lawyer into the venue.

    Journalists, students and some members of the National Human Right Commission who came to witness the sitting were not allowed into the venue of the sitting by security personnel of the institution who manned the entrance.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Eyitope Ogunnbodede, confirmed to journalists that Osagie was appearing before the committee.

    Ogunnbodede , who spoke as though he was not aware that newsmen were already outside the venue of the sitting, said that he could not disclose the venue of the sitting.

    ” The lady is appearing before the committee.

    ” Members of the committee told me that the lady came and she is appearing before them but I cannot disclose the venue to you,” the vice chancellor said.

    Mrs Nkechi Obiagbaoso, a Legal Officer for Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre, Abuja, said she and two other lawyers were present to represent Osagie.

    Obiagbaoso, who spoke with newsmen outside the venue of the sitting, said that two of the lawyers were allowed into the venue of panel sitting while she was asked to stay outside.

    According to her, the former venue used for the investigation was changed earlier today because of the crowd that might be interested in the case.

    Recall that the vice chancellor on Friday confirmed the suspension of Akindele.

    Ogunbodede, in a statement, said he had received and considered the interim report of the committee set up to investigate the allegation of sexual harassment revealed in the audio recording.

    He also said that the female voice in the audio had been identified as that of Miss Monica Osetobe Osagie, a Postgraduate Student in the Master of Business Administration Regular programme.

    The vice chancellor said that though the investigative committee invited both Akindele and Osagie, only the don had appeared before the committee.

    “The university is making efforts to ensure that Miss Osagie appears before the investigative committee so that it can hear her side of the case and promptly submit its final report, ” he had said.

    The audio recording had generated reactions from a cross-section of the public until the university authorities reacted.

  • Sex scandal: OAU ASUU chapter hails prof.’s suspension

    The Academic Staff Union ( ASUU ), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, says it is satisfied with the suspension Prof. Richard Akindele, who was allegedly involved in a sex-for-mark scandal.

    Dr Adeola Egbedodun, the Chairperson of the union, in a statement in Osogbo on Friday, commended the university management for the prompt action taken on the recommendations of the investigative panel.

    The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede,  on Thursday confirmed the suspension of the professor.

    Ogunbodede, in a statement, said he had received and considered the interim report of the committee set up to investigate the allegation, as revealed in the audio recording.

    He also said that the female voice in the audio which went viral had been identified as that of Miss Monica Osetobe Osagie, a postgraduate student on the Master of Business Administration programme.

    Read Also: OAU sex for marks: I was never invited by the committee – Monica Osagie

    Egbedokun, however, urged the Vice Chancellor and his team not to relent in their efforts to get to the root of the matter and ensure that justice was done.

    “The Obafemi Awolowo University Branch ASUU commends the administration for the step taken towards ensuring sanity in the system.

    “The union expresses satisfaction on the prompt action taken by the administration.

    “ASUU OAU reiterates its commitment to defending the integrity of the code of conduct of the university and to upholding its ethical standards.’’

    Egbedokun, however, urged members of the union to always adhere strictly to the code of conduct guiding their appointment in the university as they carry out their lawful activities.

  • OAU unveils Monica Osagie as student in sex-for-marks scandal

    The authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife today said Monica Osagie was  the student involved in a sex-for-marks scandal, that has sorely questioned the morality of university dons, in the training of young Nigerians.

    Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), said Monica Osetobe Osagie was studying for a Masters in Business Administration.

    He also announced the suspension of Prof. Richard Akindele, the don  involved in the salacious scandal.

    Ogunbodede’s action followed the submission of  the interim report of the committee set up to investigate the allegation of sexual harassment revealed in audio recording.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a recorded audio conversation of the don  demanding for sex  to increase the marks of a female undergraduate had gone viral.

    “The committee observed that a prima facie case of inappropriate relationship with the female student had been established against Professor Richard I. Akindele”.

    Listen to the scandalous audio:

    https://soundcloud.com/thenationnewspaper/oau-lecturer-caught-on-tape-demanded-sex-from-female-student-audio-1

    https://soundcloud.com/thenationnewspaper/oau-lecturer-caught-on-tape-demanded-sex-from-female-student-audio-2

    The Vice Chancellor said that though the investigative committee invited both Akindele and Osagie, only Akindele  appeared before the committee.

    “The report indicated that many other witnesses appeared before the committee and gave useful evidence.

    “The university is making efforts to ensure that Miss Osagie appears before the investigative committee so that it can hear her side of the case and promptly submit its final report,’’ he said.

    Explaining why the lecturer was yet to be sacked, the Vice Chancellor said that the provisions of the relevant statute of the university must be followed.

    “Under the provisions of the relevant statute of the university, an academic staff can only be dismissed from service or have his or her appointment terminated only when the matter on which consideration is being given has been investigated by a Joint Council and Senate Committee;

    “Also the staff  has appeared before the committee with his or her counsel, if so desired.

    “This procedure is the minimum requirement of the law and regulations of the university.

    “It should therefore be noted that the suspension of Professor Richard I. Akindele is on the basis of the findings of the Investigative Committee that he is prima facie liable.

    “This decision will abide, pending the final determination of the case by the council of the University”, the vice chancellor  said.

    Ogunbodede said that the university would continue to do everything legally and morally acceptable in pursuance of its avowed commitment to zero tolerance for sexual harassment, intimidation and, or coercion.

  • OAU panel submits report on alleged sexual harassment

    A probe panel set up by Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, to look into the allegation of sexual harassment against a female student by a senior lecturer, Prof. Richard Akindele, yesterday submitted its interim report.

    Its content was unknown last night.

    Akindele, a professor in the Department of Accounting, Faculty of Administration, was alleged to have demanded five rounds of sex from the student before she could pass his course.

    OAU spokesman Abiodun Olarewaju, in a phone chat, said the panel was given free hand to do its job.

    He said the student, whom he identified as Eniola, refused to appear before the panel to substantiate her case.

    The Nation learnt that she refused to write a complaint or report to the institution to buttress the purported leaked audio conversation between her and the lecturer, despite reactions from the public.

    It was gathered that the don had resumed lecturing.

    The lecturer, said to be a pastor, was reportedly seen in MBA 645 (Human Resource Management) class between 10am and 11am last Saturday.

    A student, who preferred anonymity, said the lecturer was initially nervous, but summoned up courage as the lecture progressed.

  • Fashion out activities helpful for food – VC

    The Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, has called for activities that can be helpful to farmers and other stakeholders in the business of food and raw materials production.

    Ogunbodede made the call on Wednesday at the 2018 Annual In-house Review of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan.

    Our reporter confirmed that the review had the theme: “Agricultural Research and Innovation for Sustainable Food and Industrial Raw Material Production’’.

    The vice chancellor said that research institutes should fashion out relevant activities for food and raw materials distribution, preservation, product development and food security.

    Ogunbodede said that the institutes should focus researches on renewable energies such as solar and windmill to mitigate climate change effects.

    He said that researches should also focus on crop and animal production with flood, heat, drought and pest resistance.

    The vice chancellor said that research should be farmer demand-driven, market-oriented, problem-solving, industrial-demanded and generally acceptable for high adoption.

    Ogunbodede also said that education on the effects of climate change should form an integral part of school curriculum and be taught at all levels in agricultural science.

    He said that subsidy on agriculture by governments should target farming activities that could stern the effects of global warming.

    “The subsidy should focus on farming activities that can address water, energy and chemical changes of production environment.

    “Nigeria will be food and nutritionally secure if government will promote a guaranteed market to farmers, and the activities of middlemen be removed from marketing of agro-materials and food crops.

    “The Federal Government should legislate against free range of domestic animals that often willfully destroy farms, causing clashes between crop and livestock farmers (cattle herdsmen),” he said.

    Earlier, the IAR&T Executive Director, Prof. James Adediran, said that the institute conducted a number of researches which were demand-driven and market-oriented in 2017.

    “These are mainly in area of development of land information system and integrated soil management, varietal development in maize, kenaf, integrated pest/disease management in cowpea and maize.

    “There was also genetic improvement of pigs, local chicken through artificial insemination, multi-locational trials to develop new technologies, improving diet to reduce incidence of diabetics in human, improving quality of soya products, among others,” he said.

    Adediran said that IAR&T also participated in various externally-funded projects with good outcomes, adding that some improved varieties of maize, cowpea and soya bean seeds had been provided for farmers and other stakeholders.

    He gave the assurance that the institute would continue with ongoing projects and propose new ones, as well as make more impacts on dissemination of research findings to the end users.

    “Finally, we are also focusing on income generation activities that are sustainable, including transfer of improved technologies to promote entrepreneurship in agriculture,” he said.

    In a lecture on “Post-harvest Handling of Food Crops in a Changing Climate: An Outlook on Food Research in IAR&T’’, a food scientist, Prof. Adetayo Ashaye, called for emphasis food fortification.

    Ashaye said that food control systems should be developed and operated in accordance with fundamental principles including a food chain approach, risk analysis, transparency and involvement of concerned stakeholders.

    The food scientist said that marketing companies and cooperatives were essential for handling produce and reducing post-harvest losses.

    “Proper coordination of their activities is very important.

    “In reducing post-harvest losses for vegetables, proper packing is required to ensure that they don’t lose freshness in the process of transportation; for roots and tubers, their processing/harvesting must be done timely and carefully,” he said.

    Representatives of research institutes and other major stakeholders in agriculture attended the event during which awards were presented to some outstanding workers of the institute.

    NAN