Oyo Nursing College, NGO launch anti-sexual harassment initiative

By Adejayan Gbenga –

The Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele, Ibadan, is partnering with a non-governmental organisation, Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI), to combat sexual harassment in tertiary institutions. The collaboration will be formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive environment for students.

Provost of the college, Dr. Gbonjubola Owolabi, disclosed the planned agreement after a strategic meeting held at the institution on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by representatives of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), GMI, and the college’s management team.

The stakeholders at the meeting unanimously agreed on the need for practical steps to eliminate all forms of sexual harassment within the institution. They stressed the importance of institutional commitment and a clear policy framework to address the issue.

Deputy Provost, Mrs. Iyabo Adeleke, speaking on behalf of the Provost, said the MoU would reinforce existing structures and introduce new preventive measures. These include capacity building, policy formulation, and awareness campaigns to guide staff and students on appropriate conduct and reporting mechanisms.

She reaffirmed the college’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment and other unethical practices, stating that the initiative aligns with the values of Dr. Owolabi’s administration.

NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, represented by Mr. Bello Abdul-Hakeem, expressed support for the initiative. He said the move was part of NBTE’s broader effort to foster harassment-free and gender-sensitive learning environments.

Prof. Bugaje added that the initiative stemmed from a stakeholders’ forum facilitated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He encouraged the college to establish a Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee or a gender-based violence response team.

Speaking for Gender Mobile Initiative, Ms. Omotunde Blessing said the group would provide technical support and mini-grants to aid policy implementation. She also introduced the “Campus Pal App,” a discreet reporting and support tool designed to help students report harassment and access resources.