The recent crisis in Nigeria’s prison system has laid bare the shocking reality of minors, including street children in southern Nigeria and almajiris in northern Nigeria, being exploited and neglected. Alarmingly, Nigeria lacks a dedicated helpline that street children can access to seek protection, redress, or shelter, leaving them even more vulnerable to abuse and neglect.
Nigerians wanted succor, no matter how little from the harsh economic realities occasioned by poor governance, inflation and low productivity. That succour was the AFCON Final. As memes of Nigeria’s loss saturates across social media, one thing stood out: Nigerians felt disappointed at the 2:1 goal outcome in favour of the Ivorian Elephants. Though Nigerians poke fun at the loss with good natured banter, many wished for extra time to allow for an equaliser, which is now history.
The need to have a sexual/harrasment register for lecturers or persons who work within the academia who enable the abuse of the rights of women and girls across secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria has become imperative in line with the VAPP Act (Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act) with a clear mandate given to NAPTIP (National Agency Trafficking of Persons) coming on the heels of the investigation into Prof. Cyril Ndifon.
While the University of Calabar management has proactively addressed the allegations of sexual harassment issue, it should be noted that, although Prof. Cyril Ndifon was suspended over the same issue in 2015 and reinstated, it begs the question of whether due diligence was carried out in the first instance based on rigorous anti-harrassment policies and protocols, or if it was a case of miscarriage of justice against the female students who spoke up against the violation of their human rights.
It should also be noted that two academic staff from the University of Abuja were recently dismissed due to sexual misconduct.
Sexual harassment and sexual gender violence is fast becoming endemic in institutions across Nigeria.
But what do you think can be done to discourage sexual misconduct on campuses as we read further on the decision taken by the authorities of University of Calabar against Prof. Ndifon?
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