Lagos – The professor of English Studies in the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, and former Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, Olusegun Awonusi, allegedly accused by an unnamed students of the institution of sexual harassment suffered humiliation as the author of a book he reviewed suspended further publication of his contributions till further notice.
Promoters of the 129-page book titled: “Strictly Speaking” (Pronunciation made easy) written by ace and veteran broadcaster, Bimbo Oloyede, placed a prohibition on the use and publication of his 115 words review of the book.
The instruction read, “It has come to our notice that the Ex-Vice Chancellor and distinguished professor of English, University of Lagos, Professor Segun Awonusi, who was gracious enough to do a review of the book; “Strictly Speaking (pronunciation made easy), has allegedly been involved in a sex scandal as reported by newspapers.
The statement added: “We kindly ask that you do not publish the book review included in the press kit which was sent out.”
It would be recalled that Professor Awonusi’s half nude pictures, allegedly taken by an aggrieved female student of UNILAG in his office went viral on the social media platform on Thursday over alleged insatiable sexual advances by the Don.
According to the narration made available courtesy of Linda Ikeji’s Blog, the victim recounted that the ugly experience had gone on for a while, forcing her to record one of their encounters.
Sharing her miserable and depressing story of molestation in the hands of the former Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, the unidentified student disclosed to LIB, “Whenever students go to his office for anything he is always trying to touch you. I took pictures of him on one of the days I entered his office. He has made molestation a part of him. I’m even scared for my life in UNILAG. That’s why I’m reaching out to you so he can be stopped. He is a professor in the English Department, Faculty of Arts. I am not his first victim. He does this all the time to students.
“I have completely given up when it comes to academics; he has failed me on tests before. When I talked to him concerning it, he told me I should know what to do and that I am an adult.
“I feel so dirty for even allowing such an old man touch me. But he doesn’t even care; as long as you satisfy his wants. I’m tired of everything. He should be stopped before he ruins the lives of other innocent girls in that English Department. Please, this is why I am reaching out. All I want is for him to be stopped,” the student whose identity was not disclosed by LIB added.
Coming as a litmus test for the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the 55-year-old institution, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the management of the university in a statement restated its zero-tolerance stance for allegations pertaining to sexual impropriety, saying it has a well-established policy against such practices.
The management of the institution, through the Corporate Affairs Directorate, Communication Unit in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, that acknowledged news of the alleged sex scandal, has promised the public to get to the root of the allegation.
“We wish to reassure all our stakeholders, students, parents, members of staff and the general public that management will not treat this matter with levity. Management will tackle the allegation with every sense of responsibility and seriousness that the matter deserves. The issue would be thoroughly investigated with transparency.”
Pledging protection and confidentiality of volunteers of information, the management solicited for information from members of the university community.
However, Awonusi, whose nude pictures were published by the blog denied the allegation in an interview with newsmen, describing it as a cheap blackmail.
Awonusi, who was sacked as TASUED VC by Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosu, in a controversial manner in 2013, said he lost his phone sometimes ago, and that the accuser, who he described as a blackmailer, might have secured the pictures from the lost phone. He said: “It is blackmail.”
He added: “The said pictures were taken about four years ago but sometimes ago, I received a message from a particular lady, saying she was in possession of my nude photos and that I should pay her N400,000. The lady said if I did not pay the money, she would go public with the photos. I think this is what she had promised.”
Sexual Harassment Bill
However, sexuality campaigner, Mrs. Shade Ajayi, earlier in an interview with Daily Independent advocated for an expansion of the sexual harassment bill seeking punishment for sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.
The bill by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator representing Delta Central, proposes a five-year jail term for lecturers found guilty of having sexually harassed female students.
The bill, sent to the House for concurrence from the Senate, was suspended in 2017 because it is restricted to higher institutions only.
Ajayi said, “Though, I consider the bill a good development in the right direction to address the issue of sexual harassment at the ivory tower. However, I consider the bill as biased because it is not wide enough to cover a lot of grounds. It is too narrow to cover and make provision for people that are exposed to sexual harassment daily in our universities.
“The bill only makes a cover for the female students and the lecturer being the culprits. Above, the lecturers being the culprits, we also have other culprits within the academic community that sexually harass students.
“From the admission officers that harass both sexes, to the records officers that are also neck deep in the harassment of prospective students.
She added: “We have cases of lecturers’ harassing lecturers of opposite sexes; we have non-teaching staffs that are harassed by teaching staff in tertiary institutions.”
The latest scandal is coming barely a month after an MSc student in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, accused Prof. Richard Akindele of alleged sexual harassment, has in the infamous sex-for-marks scandal.
The post UNILAG Sex Scandal Latest: Author Withdraws Randy Professor’s Review appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.
Source: Daily Independent
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