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Varsity Students Vow To Tackle Sexual Harassment On Campus
Some University Students say they can now tackle the menace of sexual harassment on campus, following a symposium on the prevention of campus sexual violence in tertiary institutions across the country.
The symposium was organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF), yesterday in Abuja.
The symposium was initiated by the European Union and United Nations, with the theme: “Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Men.
A 400 Level, Biochemis try Student of Nile University, Abuja, Miss Michel Williams, said that with the setting up of response team in the universities, students could now heave a sigh of relief.
She said that with a toll free line where sexual harassment could be reported pronto, tackling the menace of sexual harassment had now been made easy on campus.
“Now I know that as a student, when you are being confronted by a lecturer asking for sex for grade, you can now find someone to talk to.
“That is why they have created the response team in institutions to be able to locate one of them and report,” she said.
She said that although she had never experienced sexual harassment, but stories of such menace abound on campuses and in the media.
“It is not a good thing to be sexually harassed and there has to be a way to stop it because I know that it affects victims both psychologically and physically,” she said.
Miss Favour Amarachukwu, a 100 Level Medical Laboratory Student, UNIABUJA, said that with the symposium, she was equipped with a new revelation on how to tackle the menace.
“Today, I got a new revelation on how to stop gender based violence and sexual abuses on campus and how we can handle it as students and victims.
“Now we have a hotline where we can call freely and you can be kept anonymous in case you are scared of your identity being revealed.
“So if I fall victim of that with the exposure I have gotten, it will be easier for me to open up now that I have gotten this idea,” she said.
A 300 Level, Computer Student, UNIABUJA, Mr Felix Ayeyemi, said though he had not been sexually harassed but heard stories in the media relating to sexual harassment.
Ayeyemi said with this training and the free toll line dedicated for sexual harassment, students would now have the courage to call the response team.
He said that, students in collaboration with other partners would keep fighting to curtail the menace of sexual harassment on campus.
The Lead Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, WARIF, Damilola Adebisi, said that the symposium was to increase awareness and engage students on campus prevention of gender violence and sexual harassment.
Adebisi said that students now knew that they could speak out and get help, adding that the bottom line was to tackle the culture of silence and assured them that there was a place they could get help.
This, according to him, is by speaking out and talking about their issues and that they should not be scared.
“We want them to speak out on rape and other gender violence as much as possible and the students are happy that they can get help even with the setting up of the response team on campuses,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.