Sexual harassment: UNIZIK begins installation of CCTV cameras, lecturers kick

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has commenced the installation of Closed-Circuit Television cameras in the institution over the allegations of sexual harassment.

It was learnt that the equipment would be installed at various offices of lecturers and other strategic locations on the campus.

The rising cases of sexual harassment in the school are said to have informed the decision by the school management which is aimed at curbing the menace of randy lecturers at the institution.

According to the information, it was observed that the installation has commenced at the Faculty of Law.

The management of the university had some weeks ago, announced the removal of some lecturers indicted in the sexual harassment saga from their respective positions while some were suspended.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Charles Esimone, removed a lecturer (name withheld) in the Faculty of Law, and others accused of sexual harassment by the students of the university.

The institution decided after the affected female students had raised the alarm.

A source in the school who craved anonymity confirmed that the majority of the lecturers were furious with the idea of mounting CCTV cameras in their offices.

She said, “The lecturers are claiming that the decision is an infringement on their privacy and a gross violation of their fundamental human rights to hold unhindered and uncensored discussions with their students.

“But the vice chancellor had insisted that there would be no going back on the plan and that discussions that should take place with students must not be in secret.

“The VC noted that lecturers were paid with taxpayers’ money and therefore the authorities should know or be privy to how lecturers discharge their formal duties.”

Another employee in the school, who gave her name simply as Isioma, said, “We are in support of the installation of CCTV cameras. This will boost the confidence of the students as communications would no longer be shrouded in secrecy.”

The Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor on Public Relations Matters and Special Duty, Dr Emma Ojukwu, confirmed that the CCTV cameras are a way of dealing with the issue of sexual harassment in the university.

Ojukwu said, “This is one of the methods to deal with the issue of sexual harassment in the university. The installation has commenced with the faculty of law.

“Other faculties are in the queue. There shall be a central control room to manage the equipment. There will also be a physical motorised patrol.

“The installation is being done in bits, faculty by faculty. Until it is finished, it may be difficult to know exactly the total cost of the equipment and how much this has cost the school.”