My administration will continue to fight sexual harassment, insecurity in varsities —Buhari
By Abimbola Abatta
President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration is committed to tackling cases of sexual harassment, extortion, kidnapping and killings bedeviling Nigerian universities.
This is even as he sympathised with the families of students , academic and non- academic staff that had fallen victims of kidnappers, bandits and killers and perpetrators of academic frauds.
Buhari spoke on Saturday at the fifth and sixth convocations of Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE).
Represented by a Director in the National Universities Commission, Mr. John Ahmadu, he said nothing would be spared to make the universities a safe teaching grounds for the country’s scholars and professionals.
In his words, “The stories emanating from some of our campuses, such as sexual harassment, extortion, plagiarism and other forms of intellectual fraud and corruption are totally unacceptable. The Unions can do more to assist in addressing these issues, for a much better university system.
“Security has also become a major concern in our universities in recent times. Specifically, insurgency, rural banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and a host of others have been on the ascendancy, threatening national security and stability. These condemnable acts are now gradually being extended to our universities, with cases of kidnapping in some ivory towers.
“As a Government, while sympathising with the management, staff and students of the affected universities, as well as the families of affected staff and students, let me use this opportunity to reassure all Nigerians that their security remains our utmost priority. We will stop at nothing to put an end to these dastardly acts.”
Buhari added that his government would continue to support the university system through improved funding and infrastructural development regard, saying TETFUND had been repositioned to be able to address the infrastructural gaps in the tertiary institutions.
“As an evidence of our commitment to the welfare of university staff, the Federal Government recently released funds for the payment of Earned Allowances as well as the revitilisation of universities. We will continue to do more within available resources considering other competing national needs.”
Buhari commended the NUC, the regulator of university education in Nigeria, which, as part of its efforts towards enhancing quality university education, has recently released its 2021 Ranking of Nigerian Universities using 13 indicators developed by stakeholders.
“Let me heartily congratulate the graduands of today for attaining this enviable height. But you must not rest on your oars. Your graduation is the beginning of a new dawn, where you require greater hard work, discipline, commitment and dedication, if you are going to make this increasingly volatile economic situation.
“Be assured that my administration will continue to invest more resources in job creation and entrepreneurship development. As you journey on into the new world of reality, I wish you all the best.”
On his part, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Abayomi Fasina said the academically-outstanding graduates were among the 688 that were graduated for the 2018/2019 and 1911 for the 2019/2020 academic sessions.
Fasina said while the university has been excelling in provision of facilities, maintenance of industrial peace and securing accreditation for courses, land trespass and low funding remain two twin crises bedeviling the university.
He explained, “This university has been hampered and confronted by a number of challenges. These include inadequate funding security issues such as land trespass due to lack of perimeter fencing, inadequate infrastructural facilities and so on.
“Let me appeal to TETFUND Executive Secretary, Prof. Elias Bogoro to consider us for special interventions funds, especially in the area of perimeter funding and construction of lecture auditorium.
“The university now boasts of about 30,000 students. The geometric growth rate comes with its own challenges, including population pressures, shortage of facilities, and Infrastructures.”
Meanwhile, no fewer than 88 graduates bagged First class Bachelor Degree as the institution graduated 2,599 across all the departments.
Also, the Attah Igala and Chancellor of FUOYE, HRM Mathew Opaluwa Oguche, a former Rector, Kaduna Polytechnic, Dr. Nuhu Yakubu and the owner of Bovas Petroleum Nigeria Limited, Mrs Victoria Samson were garlanded with PhD degrees (Honoris Causa) of the institution.
