In the wake of the University of Calabar sex scandal, which saw the suspension of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has issued a stern warning to members of the academic community and the university system at large regarding the grave issue of sexual harassment on campuses.
In a press conference held on Thursday at his office in Abuja, the Minister received the report of the committee investigating the alleged sexual harassment by Ndifon.
He emphatically underscored that the Ministry of Education would take resolute action against individuals involved in such reprehensible acts.
Prof. Mamman stressed that sexual harassment is not to be taken lightly; it is a severe criminal offense that demands swift and decisive action whenever it occurs. He pledged that the ministry would make every effort to curb this disturbing trend within institutions of higher learning.
He went on to emphasize that sexual harassment is akin to a malignant cancer that must be eradicated at all costs, and it requires the collective commitment of all stakeholders within the educational system to combat this menace effectively.
The Minister reiterated his commitment to using the full extent of the law to ensure that wrongdoers face appropriate penalties, leaving no room for anyone to exploit vulnerable individuals.
As part of the Ministry’s strategy, Prof. Mamman disclosed plans to establish sexual offenses units not only within the Ministry itself but also in all institutions of higher learning. These units will be dedicated to addressing and tackling the issue of sexual harassment comprehensively.
“Sexual harassment is a serious criminal offence and must be dealt with decisively, when and whenever it occurs,” he said, adding that the ministry would “do everything humanly possible to tame the ugly tide in our institutions of higher learning”.
“This offence of sexual harassment is cancerous and must be eliminated at all cost. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to tackle the menace in our educational system” he said.
During the presentation of her report, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, informed the Minister that the university had meticulously followed all requisite procedures in addressing the matter at hand. This included suspending the suspect, issuing appropriate queries, and establishing a disciplinary committee to impartially hear all concerned parties.
Prof. Obi underscored the university’s commitment to maintaining the highest level of transparency throughout this process. To ensure this, a multitude of external organizations and entities were brought into the fold as observers. These included the Public Complaint Commission, the Nigeria Bar Association, the Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Chief Judge of the Student’s Union High Court, and seven civil society organizations.
This approach was aimed at not only upholding fairness but also sending a clear message that the university is dedicated to addressing such matters with the utmost seriousness and integrity.