Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, issued a heartfelt apology on Sunday following a storm of controversy surrounding her recent comments in a viral video regarding the sexual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar. The Minister reaffirmed her dedication to justice and the well-being of Nigerian women.
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This apology comes just 24 hours after a coalition of more than 500 gender rights activists, under the banner of Womanifesto and led by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, demanded a retraction and public apology from the Minister. The coalition expressed deep concerns over the Minister’s remarks and their potential impact on the rights and protection of vulnerable women and children in Nigeria.
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In the video that ignited the controversy, the Minister allegedly insinuated that the students at the University of Calabar were being manipulated to pursue the removal of the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, and threatened the students with severe consequences, including imprisonment, if they continued their pursuit of the sexual harassment case against him. She also appeared to question the validity of the allegations since the female students involved admitted they were not raped.
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In her statement released to Newsmen on Sunday, the Minister emphasized her unwavering commitment to due diligence and the rule of law, recognizing that justice and fairness are the cornerstones of an equitable society. She expressed deep regret for any offense her comments may have caused and stressed that her intentions were rooted in her advocacy for the welfare of Nigerian women and the pursuit of justice.
The Minister asserted, “I stand for all Nigerian women, and I stand for justice. It is my hope that we can work together to realize a country where women’s rights are respected and protected, and where our daughters feel safe in institutions of learning.
This development comes after the Minister’s recent condemnation of sexual harassment and related offenses during an appearance on AIT. She expressed her concern about the rising cases of sexual harassment on campuses and promised that her Ministry would actively seek justice for those affected.
As Nigerians closely watch the unfolding situation at the University of Calabar, the Minister’s apology and renewed commitment to women’s rights and justice serve as a significant step towards addressing the concerns raised by gender rights activists and the public at large.
