Kogi Sacks Lecturers Over Allegations of Sexual Harassment in Polytechnic

The Kogi State government has decided to take harsh action against sexual harassment in educational institutions as different lecturers are said to have been sacked at Kogi State Polytechnic over accusations of sexual harassment. The accused are said to have harassed the students on campus, a problem that had really affected the institution.

This was made known by Isah Emmanuel Ojodunwene, the Senior Special Assistant on Students Affairs to Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, during a one-day meeting held in Lokoja. Organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with heads of tertiary education institutions, the meeting focused on adopting a model anti-sexual harassment policy for tertiary institutions across the state.

Ojodunwene assured that the state government was still irrevocably resolved to maintain a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment in all educational institutions. He said the government would not spare anybody found guilty of the crime, noting that “the laws are clear and ignorance is no longer an excuse”. “If anyone is caught sexually harassing a student, he will be severely punished. We will not sweep these issues under the carpet,” the commissioner told newsmen.

Ojodunwene said their dismissal was only the beginning in a broader campaign of ‘naming and shaming’ sex harassers in Kogi’s schools. He even announced the plan to create an “Internet plus wall of shame” where those found guilty of sexual misconduct were named and shamed. This public list would thus serve as a deterring mechanism, where one would want the harassers to be exposed to friends, family, and society for having engaged in harassment.

He also touched on some of the measures being taken to forestall what might happen in the future, which include removing beds from offices on grounds that “night shift” usage could provoke sexual misconduct. “The night shift is not for sleeping but for people to work and leave. I will personally oversee the removal of beds from offices,” Ojodunwene affirmed.

He further empowered the Sevicom office, responsible for service delivery and compliance, to report such cases of harassment without fear. “Students are aware that there is a listening ear and if they report their cases of harassment, something will be done”, Ojodunwene said.

The unparalleled moves by the Kogi government send a clear message that sexual harassment will no longer be tolerated and that anyone found guilty will face the full weight of the law.