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HoR Pass Tertiary Institutions Sexual Harassment Bill

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…propose 14 yrs For Offenders, 5 yrs Imprisonment for Defaulting Heads of Institutions
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has passed “A bill for an act to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment of students in tertiary educational institutions and related matters connected therewith”.
The bill which passed throughthrid readingon Wednesdayat plenary, proposes 14 years imprisonment for those convicted of the offences and 5 year imprisonment or N5 million fine for heads of institutions that refused to act on complaints of sexual harassment by students.
In a media briefing after plenary, on the intent of the bill, the Spokesperson fornthe House and sponsor, Rep. Akin Rotimi said, it is enacted to promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary education, the sanctity of the student-educator fiduciary relationship of authority, dependency and trust and respect for human dignity in tertiary educational institutions.
According to Rotimi, the bill aims at “Providing for the protection of students against sexual harassment by educators in tertiary educational institutions;
“Prevention of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions; and
redressal of complaints of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions”.
On what constitutes a sexual offence, the bill provides that “An educator shall be guilty of committing an offence  or a felony of sexual harassment if he/she–Engages in any form of unwelcome physical contact or verbal conduct of a sexual nature with a student or prospective student, or demands such conduct, regardless of consent; or
“Creates a hostile, offensive, or intimidating environment for a student by making unsolicited or inappropriate sexual advances, or by requesting sexual favors; or
“Directs, facilitates, assists, or encourages another person to engage in any act of sexual harassment as defined under this Bill; or
“Displays, sends, or distributes any form of sexually explicit or suggestive material, including images, videos, or objects, to a student through any medium; or
“Makes verbal or non-verbal remarks, comments, or gestures of a sexual nature, or any remarks or conduct intended to degrade, humiliate, or body shame a student based on their physical appearance; or
“Engages in stalking, persistent following, or any form of unwanted attention directed at a student, which creates an atmosphere of fear or discomfort”.
According to the piece of legislation, “Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in Clause 4 (1), (2) and (3) of this Bill is guilty of an offence of felony and shall, on conviction, be sentenced to an imprisonment term of up to 14 years but not less than 5 years, without an option of a fine”.
The bill also provides that “An administrative head of an institution who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-clauses (1) and (2) of this Clause of this Bill is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a minimum fine of N5,000,000 or imprisonment for 5 years, or both”
Similarly, “Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in Clause 4 (4), (5) and (6) of this Bill is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment term of up to 5 years but not less than 2 years, without an option of a fine”.
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OBIO/AKPOR FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH(PHOTOS)

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The month of March was a busy one at the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency with numerous Programmes and Trainings approved and sponsored by Rep. O. K. Chinda.

The month of April is already showing signs of being busier as we have commenced a Free 3-day Medical Outreach.

Today, which is day 1, featured Health Talks and Sensitization, with some participants going home with 10kg of rice after being attended to.

The programme continues tomorrow and will include the following: –

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• Vital signs checking.
• Seeing of Doctor/optometrist.
• Laboratory/ diagnosis
• Pharmacy.

The medical outreach is anchored by Dailystar Pharmacy Nigeria Limited

“I WIN, U WIN”


From
The Media Team
Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency Office

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Security Personnel Shoots Himself Trying To Nab Suspect In Abuja

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

There was tension on Wednesday As vigilante operating at Dei-Dei community in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mujahid Ibrahim (32), has reportedly shot himself while trailing a suspect in the area. Abuja Metro learnt that the bullets from his rifle injured him around his feet, with at least seven cartridges extracted from his body

He was said to be awaiting x-ray results for the possibility of more cartridges in his body.

The incident took place around 12 am in the early hours of Wednesday when the victim and his colleague intercepted a resident in the neighbourhood, they were guarding for working at late hours.

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Speaking yesterday at the Kubwa General Hospital, where he was rushed to, Ibrahim said the suspect came around 12 am against the 11 pm, which was agreed upon by the members of the community.

“My colleague, who attended to him, tried in vain to make him understand the rule, but instead for him to cooperate, he resorted to violence and in an effort to scare him, I cooked my rifle pointing toward the sky. I later withdrew the rifle back to my shoulder, but forgot to pull it back and in the process of running toward him as the man was having a scuffle with my colleague, the gun fired out some bullets that hit me around my feet,’’ he said

Also speaking, his colleague, who accompanied him to the hospital, Ben Isaac, said following the incident, the resident in question disappeared but his elder brother has taken all the responsibilities including the treatment charges.

He added that a 24- hour warning was issued to him to appear or get arrested.

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Just in: INEC dumps recall petition against Sen Natasha

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The Independent National Electoral Commission,( INEC) has rejected the petition to recall the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, inadequate.

The electoral umpire via its 𝕏 handle on Thursday, April 3, 2025, made this known in a terse statement where it disclosed that the group, who initiated the process did not meet the requirements of the constitution.

INEC in a tweet on its ‘X’ handle said; “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)”.

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