OAU VC declares zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has said the institution has zero tolerance towards any form of sexual harassment and other social vices on campus.

Professor Ogunbodede who was appointed the 11th Vice-Chancellor on 8 May 2017 said this at the launching of the anti-sexual harassment policy of the institution on Wednesday in Ile-Ife.

He said that the university found the policy imperative in creating a safe learning environment for all, even as no community was devoid of deviants.

Ogunbodede noted, however, that OAU would continue to strengthen its resolve against sex-related vices.

Also speaking, the wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Bisi Fayemi, urged every tertiary institution across the country to emulate Obafemi Awolowo University by having a policy on sexual harassment and a zero-tolerance culture.

She noted that every tertiary institution leadership needed to demonstrate its unwillingness to condone a culture of abuse, silence and impunity.

“Where there are policies in place to prevent and deal with sexual harassment, they should be implemented to the fullest extent possible,” she said.

Fayemi urged other tertiary institutions to adopt the policy and work towards establishing models of good practice.

Eyitope joined the services of Obafemi Awolowo University as a Medical Training Fellow in 1987 and rose through the ranks to become a professor in 2000. As an academic, he has published about 100 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles. He has also authored over 40 conference abstracts and 2 books.