CJFP accuses SSANU women’s committee of plot to destabilise FUOYE

The Campaign for Justice and Fair Play (CJFP) has accused the SSANU Women’s Committee of orchestrating a well-funded campaign to unseat the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina. According to the CJFP, this plot is being driven by a network of vested interests threatened by the Vice-Chancellor’s remarkable achievements, and they are determined to undermine his leadership by any means necessary.

The controversy stems from an unsubstantiated allegation of sexual harassment made by a university staff member, Folashade Adebayo, against Professor Fasina. The CJFP argues that despite the lack of concrete evidence or a formal written complaint from Adebayo confirming the allegations, the SSANU Women’s Committee has persistently called for the Vice-Chancellor’s removal. This intensified during the committee’s recent meeting at the 50th National Council gathering of SSANU, held at the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa, on Wednesday, 26th February 2025. Following this, the committee issued another statement, demanding the immediate dismissal of the Vice-Chancellor.

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Speaking on behalf of the CJFP, Chairman Chief Calistus Jemade stated that the sponsors of this campaign are not merely seeking justice but are actively working to destabilise the university. “This is a calculated political attack designed to discredit a leader who has worked tirelessly to improve FUOYE. These individuals, motivated by self-interest, are determined to take control of the university’s leadership at any cost,” he asserted.

The CJFP has called on FUOYE’s Senate, alumni, staff, and students to stand in solidarity with the Vice-Chancellor, urging them to resist any attempts to sow discord within the institution. “Professor Fasina is a proven reformer, a strong advocate for staff welfare, and a high-achieving administrator. Any attempt to undermine his leadership should be strongly opposed by all who value the progress of this institution,” Jemade added.

The group further called on the Chairman of the Governing Council and its esteemed members to take decisive action to counteract misinformation by expediting action on the ongoing investigation. The CJFP warned that allowing divisive tactics to prevail could jeopardise the stability and future of FUOYE, calling for immediate intervention to safeguard the university’s integrity.

CJFP accuses SSANU women’s committee of plot to destabilise FUOYE

Sexual Harassment: Varsity women demand FUOYE VC’s sack

THE National Women Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has called for the suspension of the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, over an alleged sexual harassment against one of its members.

The SSANU Women have called on the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wives of governors, the National Assembly Assembly, the Ministers of Education and Women Affairs and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, among others to intervene and threatened to stage a protest to the National Assembly if nothing was done against the Vice Chancellor.

But the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Fasina, has said he is innocent of the allegation, claiming that he never harassed the lady in question sexually and that the Police that investigated the allegation have given him a clean report.

The Vice Chancellor, who described the allegation as mere blackmail and campaign of calumny, further said that the lady had exonerated him through a statement she made before the Police on the same subject matter that she was not sexually assaulted.

Although, Vanguard gathered that both the SSANU member and the Vice Chancellor are facing a nine man panel set up by the University’s Governing Council, to look into the weighty allegation, the Vice Chancellor has claimed that the lady in the petition she sent to the Council did not mention anything like sexual harassment.

“So for me it is a blackmail, it’s a lie from the pit of hell. We need to be fair in handling people’s cases, you don’t begin to blackmail and ruin somebody’s reputation for goodness sake.

“The point is that I am innocent of the allegation, it’s not true. In all her writing to the Council, she didn’t mention anything like sexual harassment. What’s happening is a defamation of character,” the VC said.

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Addressing journalists after SSANU’s 50th Regular National Executive Council, NEC, meeting at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, the National Women Committee of the association said that the suspension of the Vice Chancellor had become imperative in order to allow for a free and fair investigation of the matter.

Sexual Harassment: Varsity women demand FUOYE VC’s sack

No flogging allowed in Lagos schools, commissioner declares

Lagos State Government has reiterated its prohibition of corporal punishment in public schools, emphasising counselling as a more effective disciplinary measure.

The state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, reaffirmed the stance during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday. He stressed that flogging students for indiscipline and other misbehaviours remains strictly prohibited to prevent injuries, fainting or even fatal incidents.

“There is a policy here in Lagos and other parts of the country prohibiting teachers from giving corporal punishment to students/pupils,” Alli-Balogun stated. “Against flogging, we have adopted counselling as a measure of correction.”

While endorsing a non-violent approach, the commissioner noted that minor corrective measures such as kneeling, picking up litter or cutting grass within school premises could be employed as alternatives. He described these as part of “positive reinforcement,” a strategy aimed at shaping student behaviour and encouraging desirable outcomes.

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“The idea is to bring to the student’s knowledge, reasons he/she must not misbehave,” he explained. “The counselling is basically to correct.”

Alli-Balogun attributed most cases of student misbehaviour to poor parental upbringing and urged parents to be more involved in their children’s lives.

He further noted that since the ban on flogging, discipline among students has improved significantly, with students becoming more conscious of their actions and the potential consequences.

Lagos State Government officially banned corporal punishment in both public and private schools in 2022. In the same year, it launched the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme in Schools to reinforce child safety and promote alternative disciplinary measures.

No flogging allowed in Lagos schools, commissioner declares