Nigeria: OAU and Sex

opinion

The OAU in the above headline refers to Obafemi Awolowo University tucked away in a sprawling village, called Ile-Ife, an enduring cradle of Yoruba culture and civilisation. The sex in the headline refers to the scandal that has rocked the university for some months now but which has happily been resolved in favour of what is institutionally appropriate and unacceptable in a reputable institution of higher learning. This column gives full marks, an A plus, to the institution for the wise manner in which it has handled the scandal with the unflattering sobriquet, sex-for-marks scandal. The facts: A Professor called Richard Akindele in the Department of Management and Accounting of the university was accused of demanding sex in order to upgrade the marks of a female post graduate student, Miss Monica Osagie. The conversation between the student and the professor, the hunted and the hunter, was recorded in Whatsapp by the girl and released by the gift of modern technology to the world. The university set up a committee to investigate the allegation and on June 20, this year the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede announced the verdict of the University Council. The council led by Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, a former lecturer in that university, had met earlier in the day to ratify the findings of the investigating panel and the Senate. From the information offered by the Vice Chancellor every step was taken to observe due process and fair hearing. The Senate had satisfied itself that the lecturer had an inappropriate relationship with the student and compromised his position as a teacher and examiner. The girl, Monica, scored 45, a pass mark, but the professor told her that she scored 33 and offered to change it to a pass mark if she would submit herself to be "knacked five times." The professor claimed that the girl knew that she had 45 but was harassing him to award her a higher mark so she could get an A. The university said Professor Akindele's claim was unproven. The professor has been dismissed from his job in the institution.

The young lady, Monica, deserves full marks for the courage she displayed on the matter. First, she reported the randy Professor to his colleagues but they apparently could not restrain him from trying to reach her "waistern" region. Then she got his conversation with her recorded and leaked to the world. From then onwards, there was no hiding place because the story had expanded its life. Finally, she willingly appeared at the university to testify on the matter. Her testimony made it easy for the university to arrive at a fair and just decision on the matter.

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