Sexual harassment: OAU dismisses English dept lecturer

Dr Adebayo Mosobalaje of English Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in Osun State has been dismissed by the management of the university over sexual demeanour against a female student.

According to a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the decision was taken at the University Council sitting on Tuesday.

The statement read, ”In its avowed determination to rid the University of any form of sexual intimidation, harassment and, or coercion, the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has dismissed another lecturer who was found guilty of sexual demeanor against a female student.

“The decision to dismiss Dr. Adebayo Mosobalaje of the Department of English Language in the Faculty of Arts was taken by the University Council at its last sitting on Tuesday, 7th September, 2021.

“Having exhaustively deliberated on the report of the Joint Committee of Council and Senate, which investigated the case of sexual harassment against Dr Mosobalaje, the University Council, unambiguously declared its zero tolerance to sexual harassment in any form or guise and, accordingly, applied the appropriate University sanctions for such an offence as contained in the University regulation.”

The statement stated further that the management formally inaugurated an Anti–Sexual Harassment Policy two weeks ago, where Erelu Bisi Fayemi and Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola, wives of Ekiti and Osun states’ governors respectively, presented papers and a former Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Professor Yemisi Obilade, was the main speaker.

“Also, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, had at several fora, reiterated the commitment of his administration to uphold the “Zero tolerance policy” for Sexual harassment and other social vices. The Council of University Chaired by Owelle Oscar Udoji has also pledged to support policies that promote mutual co-existence between all the members of the University Community,” it added.

Recall that the university had, in June 2018, dismissed a Professor of Management Accounting, Richard Akindele, for sexually harassing a female student, Monica Osagie.

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