UNIPORT launches policy document on sexual harassment

The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), on Tuesday, launched a policy document against sexual harassment on campus.

The important document which will checkmate the issue of sex-for-grades was unveiled at an event chaired by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

The minister expressed displeasure with the issue of sexual harassment in the Universities, adding that the federal government was embarrassed by increased allegations of sexual misconduct in the ivory towers.

Adamu, who was represented at the event by an assistant director at the tertiary education Department in the ministry of education, Mrs Ijeoma Duru, urged students especially the female ones to study hard to avoid being victimized by lecturers.

He also commended the University authority for being first in the country to unveil a policy document against sexual harassment on campus.

He said: “The Federal Ministry of Education is embarrassed with the allegations of sex-for-grades in Nigeria’s higher institutions.

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“Girls should read their books and be able to defend their certificates and as such, make them less vulnerable to sexual predators.

“They (female students) should stop going to lecturers unnecessarily and also should not harass their lecturers,” he said.

Prof. Ndowa Lale, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT said the university had taken a strong stance against sexual misconduct.

According to him: “The document unambiguously defines what constitutes sexual harassment and the sanctions to be taken against those who wittingly and unwittingly infringe on its provisions in the line of duty.

“Henceforth, lecturers and administrators who do not remember to sew zippers in front of their trousers should be ready to bear the consequences of their amorous liaison with female students.

“Also, students who harass lecturers to award them undeserved grades should equally be ready to face the music if and when they are caught in the act of self-advertisement to their lecturers.

“Similarly, any randy Juliet (female student) who blackmails vulnerable male students or colleagues, and any visitor who believes that UNIPORT is hunting ground for cheap sex would be prosecuted,”.