The Federal Government has expressed worry and deep concern over allegations of sexual harassment of students in various institutions of learning in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the 5th National Conference of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in Umaru Waziri Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday.
“Government is worried and deeply concerned about allegations of sexual harassment of students, the monetisation of marks and degrees and absence of due process in the award of contracts by Polytechnic Governing Councils, provosts and other administrators ,among other allegations,” he said.
Malami, who was represented by Dr Muhammad Isah of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, urged ASUP to take a leading role in addressing the issues through positive actions and advocacy.
“Addressing these issues will in no doubt retain the relevance of ASUP within the educational sector,” he said.
The minister said the union must also commit itself to support the Federal Government’s fight against corruption in all sectors, including the education institutions.
He expressed the hope that the conference would strongly address the issues in line with its theme over the next three days.
Malami urged the participants to make their contributions in an objective and patriotic manner in order to enrich the outcome of the conference.
He assured the union of the government’s readiness to support all initiatives and resolutions arising from the conference designed to improve the educational sector for the sake of future generations. (NAN)
