FG WARNS AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN VARSITIES

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

The Federal Ministry of Education, according to the FG, will dealĀ 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 ofĀ  Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon.

He said, ā€œSexual 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.ā€

The minister noted that the offence of sexual harassment is ā€œcancerous and must be eliminated at all cost,ā€ 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 countryā€™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.

To deal with the menace, the minister disclosed that sexual offenses units will be established in the ministry and all institutions of higher learning.

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

To ensure a very high degree of transparency, the VC said, ā€œThe Public Complaint Commission, Nigeria Bar Association, Federation of Female Lawyers, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Chief Judge of the Studentā€™s Union High Court as well as seven civil society organisation were brought onboard the committee as observers.ā€

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