The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka administration has officially terminated the employment of lecturers who have been accused of sexual harassment.
This information was made public in a press release given out on Friday by Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, Special Adviser on Public Relations and Special Duties to the Institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone.
Ojukwu insisted that there was no protest at the institution, despite the fact that he omitted the names of the indicted officials from the statement and stated that there is an ongoing investigation into claims of sexual harassment by some lecturers.
It is crucial to note that there was no protest of any kind at the university, it said in the statement.
“However, there is a current investigation into claims of sexual harassment made against some lecturers.
The affected lecturers were abruptly fired from their positions of authority, and the affected departments received letters of severe reprimand from the Vice Chancellor.
“Unfortunately, the students who claimed to have been the victims of sexual harassment refused to appear before the investigation panel.
The Vice Chancellor, however, also called a meeting with the affected departments, where he expressed the university’s displeasure and warned lecturers and staff to refrain from any actions that would bring the university’s reputation into disrepute.
“He cautioned that the administration of the university would severely punish incompetent staff, especially those who are molesting or harassing our students sexually.”
The Vice Chancellor, he continued, had set up a special phone line so that students could report any kind of staff harassment, particularly sexual harassment, by calling that number.
Students were further reassured by him of the university’s renewed commitment to defending them and treating all claims of sexual misconduct seriously and in confidence.
