Education

We have zero tolerance for SGBV at LASU, says Dean, Students Affairs


From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos

Dean, Students’ Affairs, Lagos State University ( LASU), Dr. Tajudeen Olumoko, at a one day students dialogue on Sexual Gender Based Violence, has reiterated in strong terms the university’s resolve to stem out the anomaly at the institution, if any of such abuse is in practice, either by staff or students.

The programme was a collaboration between Lagos State University (LASU) and a Non Governmental Organisation, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Lagos tagged “Our Schools can be free from SGBV”, a student led dialogue at the 3 in 1 Hall, Faculty of Education, Main Campus, Ojo, Lagos on Thursday, 13th August, 2021.

In his keynote Address, the Dean, Students’ Affairs, Dr. Tajudeen Olumoko made it clear, that the Institution has zero tolerance for Sexual Gender Based Violence, saying, LASU remains one of the few universities in the country that has a working document and policy on the issue. 

“LASU has zero tolerance for SGBV. The university has a working document on this societal challenge as well as a policy. One of the few universities in the country with such document; I can tell you that any staff or student caught in the act, such will face the music and sanctioned accordingly. LASU is always in talk with WARDC. Also, LASU frowns at indecent dressing by students of the university”, he stated.

Finally, Dr. Olumoko assured that whistle blowers on SGBV would be protected, urging such whistle blowers to speak up when they see anything untoward as their identities would be highly protected. He ended by enjoining the students to dress decently and responsibly.” I urge you to report any issue of sexual harassment to the authorities. LASU has a strong policy on SGBV”, he ended.

The Coordinator of LASU Career Development Centre, Dr. Igot Ofem, in her welcome address noted that gaining admission to the university, students are meant to acquire knowledge, useful to themselves and the society at large, but, if the society was not safe, all these would not be achieved, except in a safe environment.

“Honestly, sexual harassment can affect one psychologically and otherwise, so, we need to fight this scourge. We have a standing sexual harassment team in place at LASU. WARDC is part of the team and the fight against SGBV. We look up to you to join us in this fight as our ambassadors”, Dr. Ofem, the team lead of LASU SGBV response team ended her Remark.

Modupe Asama, representing WARDC thanked the University Management for the collaboration. She said the purpose of the dialogue was to support the institution on the fight against SGBV as well as social accountability intervention and prevention of SGBV at the university.

Speaking further, Asama averred that the purpose was to establish SGBV campaign movement, capacity building and report of SGBV related issues.

A speaker, Prof. Simeon Dosunmu, Faculty of Education talked on “Legal Framework on sexual and Gender Based Violence – Lagos State University Anti Sexual Harassment Policy”.

He started by saying there was no reason to justify sexual harassment, not even, the way the victim dressed as excuse given  by few offenders. He added that there is no reason to invade the space of the opposite sex, pointing out that SGBV could be a pendulum, it could be either way, not only female as it is always seen erroneously.

“What joy does anyone derive from a rape? No one should go beyond the limits. LASU has zero tolerance for SGBV”, he opined.

Prof. Dosunmu listed some actions that could lead to sexual harassment as touching, fiddling with  the cloth of the opposite gender, blocking the pathway, touching the beard uninvited, vulgar words, irrational comments depicting sexual life and more could lead someone to the threshold of punishment.

He advised the ladies not to trigger sexual abuse and ask them to speak out when they fall victims.

“If there is no justification for armed robbery, there should be no justification for rape, too”, Prof. Dosunmu wrapped up.

The Deputy Registrar, Counselling, LASU, Dr.  Ayeni led the general discussion. He informed the audience the interventions from his unit and the work the university had done with WARDC, noting that there had been great progress. He admonished ladies to be extremely careful and the need to always speak out, insisting there is nothing like shaming when it involves SGBV.

Another facilitator, Ms. Emmanuella Azu, equally talked on “Understanding Sexual and Gender Based Violence – Concept etc.

The highpoint of the one day dialogue was the launch of the Lagos State University SGBV Red Club. 

The anti SGBV club will work with WARDC to stem out the ill. About 40 students of the university signed up to be ambassadors. The establishment of Red Club at LASU was the first of its kind in any higher Institution in the country.

In February 2021, for two days at the Sheraton Hotels, Lagos, LASU, WARDC and other organisations had a broader conversation on how to stem the rising tide of SGBV in Nigerian higher institutions and the society at large.

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