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Nigerian Government and Stakeholders Unite to Combat Sexual Harassment in Educational Institutions

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2 months ago

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In a landmark effort to tackle the pervasive issue of sexual harassment in Nigeria’s educational institutions, a coalition of stakeholders, including government officials, regulatory bodies, and civil society organizations, convened at the consultative Policy Dissemination and Implementation Conference held at Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel on July 9, 2024. The conference, moderated by Barrister Omowumi Ogunrotimi, underscored the urgent need for robust measures to prevent, prohibit, and redress sexual harassment across all levels of education.

 

The conference saw extensive deliberations and resolutions aimed at instituting effective anti-sexual harassment policies, ensuring the safety and dignity of students, and fostering a conducive learning environment free from intimidation and abuse. Key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and various State Commissioners of Education, joined forces to endorse and commit to implementing comprehensive policy frameworks.

 

*Highlights of the Resolutions:*

 

1. *Legislative Commitment:* The House of Representatives, under the 10th Assembly, affirmed its dedication to passing the ‘Bill for an Act to Prevent, Prohibit and Redress Sexual Harassment of Students in Tertiary Educational Institutions and for Matters Connected therewith’. This legislative push aims to establish a robust legal framework against sexual harassment.

 

2. *Model Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies:* All stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and educational institutions, unanimously agreed to adopt and implement Model Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies. These policies are designed to sensitize communities, establish institutional frameworks for reporting and redress, and enforce strict penalties for offenders.

 

3. *Regional Adaptation and Implementation:* Acknowledging Nigeria’s diverse socio-cultural contexts, stakeholders from all geographical zones validated the policies with regional adaptations. This approach ensures that the policies resonate with local norms while maintaining the integrity of the national framework.

 

4. *Enforcement and Support Structures:* The ICPC committed to supporting educational institutions with training and technical assistance in implementing anti-sexual harassment policies. This support includes setting up grievance mechanisms, ensuring confidentiality, and protecting victims from retaliation.

 

5. *Commitment to Review and Improve:* Recognizing the evolving nature of the issue, stakeholders resolved to review the policies every 3 to 5 years. This periodic review aims to enhance effectiveness, incorporate best practices, and address emerging challenges in combating sexual harassment.

 

6. *Supportive Measures:* Stakeholders emphasized the importance of ongoing orientations for both new students and staff, wide-ranging reporting platforms including anonymous options, and clear timelines for investigating and adjudicating harassment cases.

 

*Quotes from Key Stakeholders:*

 

1. *Professor Mamman Tahir, Minister of Education:* “Our commitment to eradicating sexual harassment in educational institutions is unwavering. We will work tirelessly to ensure every student feels safe and respected.”

 

2. *Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of ICPC:* “Prevention and enforcement go hand in hand. Our partnership with educational institutions will strengthen their capacity to uphold integrity and protect students.”

 

3. *Hon. Victor Obuzor, Chairman, House Committee on Civil Society Organizations:* “The legislative efforts and collaborative initiatives underscore our collective responsibility to safeguard students and uphold their rights.”

 

*List of Stakeholders:*

 

1. Professor Mamman Tahir – Minister of Education

 

2. Hon. Yusuf Tanko Sununu – Minister of State for Education

 

3. Minister for Women Affairs – Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye

4. Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN – Chairman of ICPC

 

5. Hon. Ibrahim Olarenwaju – Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)

 

6. Hon. Victor Obuzor – Chairman, House Committee on Civil Society Organizations

 

7. Mr. Boniface Odey – NUC

 

8. Mr. Bello Abdul-Hakeem – Deputy Director, NBTE

 

9. Mrs. Theresa Madueke – Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA)

 

10. Prof. Amari Omaka – Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Ebonyi

 

11. Prof. Ndubueze Mbah – Commissioner for Education, Enugu

 

12. Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata – Commissioner for Higher Education, Kano

 

13. Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari – Commissioner for Higher Education, Delta

 

14. Dr. Gentle Emelah – Commissioner for Education, Bayelsa

 

15. Oluwole Olusanjo Majekodunmi – Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ogun

 

16. Eluwole Sunday Adedipo – Commissioner for Education, Osun

 

17. Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu – Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Oyo

 

18. Hon. Lydia Haruna Tsammani – Commissioner for Higher Education and Regional Integration, Bauchi

 

19. Rev. Frederick L. Ikyaan, PhD – Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Benue

 

20. Michael Omolayo – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Ekiti

 

21. Waheed Kasali – Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Tertiary Education, Lagos

 

22. Prof. Mohammed Bello Kawuwa – Commissioner for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Yobe

 

23. Isa Yusuf Chamo – Commissioner for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Jigawa

 

24. Ubani Caroline Uloma – Commissioner for Education, Abia

 

25. Ahmed Yunusa Mohammed – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Gombe

 

26. Prof. Abdulhamid Ahmed – Commissioner for Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, Katsina

 

27. Dr. (Mrs.) Kachollom Pyam Gang – Commissioner for Higher Education, Plateau

 

28. Hon. Aminu Abdullahi – Commissioner for Higher Education, Sokoto

 

29. Michael Omolayo – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Ekiti (Duplicate)

 

30. Waheed Kasali – Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Tertiary Education, Lagos (Duplicate)

 

31. Prof. Mohammed Bello Kawuwa – Commissioner for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Yobe (Duplicate)

 

32. Isa Yusuf Chamo – Commissioner for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Jigawa (Duplicate)

 

33. Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata – Commissioner for Higher Education, Kano (Duplicate)

 

34. Ahmed Yunusa Mohammed – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Gombe (Duplicate)

 

35. Prof. Abdulhamid Ahmed – Commissioner for Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, Katsina (Duplicate)

 

36. Hon. Augustina Yahaya, PhD – Commissioner for Education, Taraba

 

37. Hon. Wadatau Madawaki – Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Zamfara

 

38. Dr. John D.W. Mamman – Commissioner for Education, Nasarawa

 

39. Razaq O. Kalilu – Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH

 

40. Oladipupo Adegboyega Johnson – Provost, Oyo State College of Education

 

41. Ademola S. Tayo – Vice Chancellor, Babcock University

 

42. Dr. Cecilia Olajumoke Adebayo – Provost, College of Health Science & Technology, Ijero Ekiti

 

43. Prof. Akinola Akinlabi – Rector, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora

 

44. Prof. Ayo Atsenua – Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos

 

45. Olaoye Oyejide Oluwatobi – Rector, Ibadan Polytechnic

 

46. Dr. Fijoh Kalu Ome – Deputy Rector, Abia State Polytechnic

 

47. Prof. Ezeokonkwo Romanus – Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria Nsukka

 

48. Dr. Michael Okey Okoronkwo – Provost, Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu, Ebonyi State

 

49. Prof. Abdullahi Musa – Vice Chancellor, Kaduna State University

 

50. Dr. (Mrs.) U. I. Ibanga – Deputy Provost, Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, New Bussa, Niger State

 

51. Dr. Hauwa’u Muhammed Mainoma – Director, Centre for Gender Studies, Nasarawa State University

 

52. Suleiman Ahmed Badayi – Rector, Jigawa State Polytechnic

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Just In: Opay Begins Charging Of N50 Electronic Transaction Fee On Every 10k And Above….

Published

12 hours ago

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September 7, 2024

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Opay digital banking platform is set to apply a transfer fee of N50 for transactions exceeding N10,000 and above.

 

OPay has introduced a new fee for electronic transfers into both personal and business accounts, in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

 

 

Beginning September 9, 2024, there will be a one-time charge of N50 for transfers of N10,000 or more.

 

 

” On Saturday, the digital platform communicated to its valued customers via a text stating the reason for the deductions even though people are still struggling to survive.

 

In it’s statement, is says:

 

“Dear valued customers, please be informed that starting September 9, 2024, a one-time fee of N50 will be applied for electronic transfer of N10,000 and above paid into your personal or business account in compliance with the Federal Inland Revenue Service

regulations.”

 

 

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News and Report

Our petrol to hit filling stations in 48hrs- Dangote

Published

5 days ago

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September 3, 2024

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Businessman, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that petrol produced from his 650,000 barrels per day refining facility will hit filling stations in the next 48 hours as modalities with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited are formalised.

Dangote said this on Tuesday during a press briefing announcing the formal production of petrol at the refinery.

“Our PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) can be in filling stations within the next 48 hours depending on NNPCL,” he said.

Asked to speak on the pricing of the product from his refinery, Dangote said, “It is an arrangement which is designed and approved by the Federal Executive Council led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“As soon as it is finalised, which he (Tinubu) is pushing, once we finish with NNPC, it can be today, it can be tomorrow, we are ready to roll into the market.”

Last December, Dangote, Africa’s leading industrialist, commenced operations at his $20bn facility sited in Lagos with 350,000 barrels a day.

The refinery, which was initially troubled by regulatory battles, hopes to achieve its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day by the end of the year.

The refinery has begun the supply of diesel and aviation fuel to marketers in the country and now petrol.

Dangote also added that the introduction of naira for crude will reduce the demand for foreign exchange by 40 per cent.

“I want to thank President Bola Tinubu for creating this idea of Naira for crude and Naira for the product. Doing that will give a lot of stability to the Naira and remove 40 per cent of the demand for dollars. That’s not just it, there is a lot of round tripping,” he stated.

He added that it would become possible to track loaded trucks, hence making it easier to compute the national
consumption.

 

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News and Report

‘Eko Cares’: Grateful Beneficiaries praise Lagos Governor’s economic hardship alleviation initiatives

Published

5 days ago

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September 3, 2024

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Encomiums have continued to pour in on the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for the sustainable implementation of the ‘Eko Cares’ initiatives aimed at mitigating the current economic challenges experienced not only in the state, but across the country.
The ‘Eko Cares’ Initiatives, launched in April this year by Governor Sanwo-Olu, is the umbrella signature for several poverty-alleviating campaigns by the Lagos State Government, namely: ‘Alafia Eko’, ‘Ounje Eko’ Sunday Market, ‘Eko Fund Me’, ‘Alaafia Eko’, ‘Owo Isowo Eko’, and ‘Edinwo Owo Oko Eko’, all focused on lessening the burden of more than 500,000 Lagos households amid the current economic hardship in four critical sectors including transportation, education, health and agriculture.
These interventions are in line with the Lagos government’s undertaking to better the lives of its citizens in the 20 LGAS, and 37 LCDAs.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos Health District 1, Dr. Funmilayo Bankole and other health practitioners who coordinated the campaigns in different locations noted that the ‘Alafia Eko’ is aimed at ensuring the health and wellbeing of Lagosians. “What we do here is to screen Lagosians for silent killers such as hypertension, diabetes, etc., and prevent these conditions from causing complications”, she said.
At the’ Alafia Eko’ intervention held in Mushin LGA, one of the beneficiaries, Mr Tajudeen Adebowale, expressed excitement, saying, “We are very happy about this initiative. May God continue to bless the governor to do even more, especially programmes like this healthcare initiative”.
Another beneficiary at the Meiran intervention outreach, Alhaja Ajani Badru could not hold back her joy saying, “We are grateful to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration for the free healthcare brought to us. Medications these days are very expensive and today, we got sufficient treatment at no cost”. Another beneficiary, Mr. Adekojo Samuel expressed similar sentiments, thanking the Governor for the eye tests, drugs, and eye glasses received.
Another beneficiary at the Isolo outreach, Mr. Iyanu Temituro said: “The programme is excellently beautiful, organised, and the medical personnel were very approachable. I’m enjoying two medical services for stooling and blood pressure”.
Mr. Abiodun Ayodele, a beneficiary from the Surulere outreach was also full of commendations. “I appreciate what the Lagos Governor has done. See the lots of drugs they gave me; at the same time, I got brand new eye glasses”.
Other beneficiaries from Apapa LGA were also full of praise for the Governor, dedicating songs in Yoruba to Governor Sanwo-Olu, describing him as a promise keeper. Among them were Mrs. Tawa Yusuf and Mrs. Oloofa Bola who got free eye glasses.
Others were Mrs. Aremu Lateefat, Mr. Rasheed Raheem, and Mrs Saratu Ishola, who all got free drugs and medicals. They described the health initiative as a huge achievement and a big relief for them.
On the success of the programme, Dr. Saheed Tajudeen, a volunteer at the Igbogbo, Ikorodu outreach expressed excitement with the turnout for ‘Alafia Eko’ initiative. “Lots of people in the community don’t usually visit our Primary Health Centre, and Lagos State has deemed it fit to bring medical care to their doorsteps. This is laudable”, he said.
Other locations visited in this phase of the ‘Alafia Eko’ health initiative include Ikorodu North LCDA and Ikotun LCDA.
‘Eko Cares’ is supervised by the Special Dispensation Advisory Committee on Social Interventions (SPEDAC), a non-partisan body set up to advise the government on the various initiatives lined up to help the poor weather the current economic hardship in the country.

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