President Mohammadu Buhari has urged universities and other higher institutions of learning in the country to emulate the manner Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has been dealing with the challenge of sexual harassment between lecturers and female students.
Buhari spoke in Ile-Ife on Saturday at the 46th convocation of the university, saying the future of promising young girls in higher institutions of learning across the country could not be entrusted into the hands of sexually reckless individuals who were masquerading as lecturers.
The President who was eepresented by the Director of Academic Planning, National Universities Commission, Dr. Abiodun Saliu, commended the OAU management for the way it had tackled sexual and other related harassments headlong without minding those involved.
Buhari said as part of efforts to resolve the incessant strikes in higher institutions of learning, the Federal Government had provided a total sum of N470 billion in the 2023 budget.
According to him, the funds were meant for revitalisation and salary enhancement, calling for support in funding tertiary education in the country.
He said, “I will be failing in my duty as Visitor if I do not commend the Council and Management of this great citadel of learning for dealing, very decisively, with cases of sexual harassment.
“In fact, this university deserves commendation on the way and manner it is tackling sexual and other related harassments headlong without minding whose ox is gored.
“I want other institutions of higher learning to emulate OAU in summarily terminating the appointment or dismissing any lecturer who uses or is using his advantageous position to sexually harass our young, unassuming, innocent and impressionable girls.
“We cannot continue to entrust the lives of our promising young girls into the hands of some sexually reckless individuals who are masquerading as lecturers on our campuses.”