The minister for women affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, yesterday tendered an apology over the controversy, which has trailed comments credited to her in a viral video concerning the sexual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
The minister regretted her statement, saying she was committed to safeguarding and advancing Nigerian women’s rights and welfare, including pursuing justice whenever their rights were violated.
In a trending video, the minister insinuated that some people used and manipulated the students to get the accused – Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon
out of office so they could take his place.
She then threatened the students of UNICAL with dire consequences, including imprisonment if they continued to pursue the case of sexual harassment against the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon.
In the video, the minister said that since the female students had admitted that they were not raped, they were not sexually harassed.
Recanting her words in a statement she signed yesterday in Abuja, Kennedy emphasised her “unwavering dedication to upholding due diligence and the rule of law, recognising that justice and fairness are the fundamental principles upon which equitable societies are built.”
She said, “This declaration comes in response to recent public discussions and reactions by concerned Nigerians regarding the unfolding situation at the University of Calabar, involving the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Cyril Ndifon, and sexual harassment allegations levelled against him.
“I wish to express my sincere apologies to those offended by my comments and actions regarding the sexual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar.
“This is extremely regrettable as my intentions were sincere and aligned with my consistent advocacy for the welfare of Nigerian women and the pursuit of justice.
“I stand for all Nigerian women, and I stand for justice, and it is my hope that we can work together to actualise the dream of a country where women’s rights are respected and protected and where our daughters feel safe in institutions of learning.”
