The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) has declared way against sexual assault and other forms of oppression by lecturers of higher institutions in Ekiti State while promising to work with the managements to ensure dismissal and prosecution of defaulters.
The Chairman, NANS/Joint Campus Committee, Ekiti axis, Comrade Abiola Ogunleye Johnson (aka Biggy Jay), made the remarks during a press conference held at the Ekiti State University(EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, to review the activities of the body.
Ogunleye, flanked by other NANS leaders, applauded the EKSU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Eddy Olanipekun, for expelling a lecturer that recently engaged in sexual assault, saying that would send a signal that there were no sacred cows on campuses.
He also saluted the EKSU management for fast-tracking action on how to make the university fully residential by partnering private bodies to build hostels in the university.
Ogunleye said, “Protection of students against all forms of victimisation, sexual assaults, and harassment are our priority. The management of all higher institutions operating in Ekiti had assured us that they won’t tolerate such act. Even when a lecturer was indicted for sexual assault here in EKSU, he was dismissed from this University. This confirmed that the management has zero tolerance for harassment.
“We are also happy that the university had developed a robust and interactive homegrown portal and established more lecture theatres. All these will add values and the quality of education in EKSU.”
Passing a vote on confidence in the leadership style of Prof Olanipekun, Ogunleye said they took the step to encourage the management of EKSU who had worked for full accreditation for all courses being run by the institution.
The NANS leader also commended the management of EKSU for donating COVID-19 facilities to the state government during the heat of the pandemic, while prioritising the welfare of students and staff to avert internal crisis.
“We are happy that the Vice Chancellor, Prof Eddy Olanipekun, had denied plan to increase the tuition fee and that the university will soon be reopened after COVID-19 closure with plan to provide COVID-19 facilities for the safety of our colleagues.
“Though their strides are good, but the university must look into issues of perennial power outage, provision of befitting health centre, and the conduct of students’ union election when school resumes.”
The student body therefore urged the management of other higher institutions in the state to prioritise the welfare and security of students while protecting them from victimisation.