DPA campaign reduces sexual harassment, bribery in tertiary institutions

In a recent research study, 78% of Nigerian students confirmed that the End Sexual Harassment and Bribery in Nigerian Colleges campaign by Dream Project for Africa has greatly discouraged rape and bribery in their colleges. 91% believe that the campaign could eventually help eradicate sexual harassment, rape and bribery from their colleges, and 98% believe that the eradication of sexual harassment and bribery from Nigerian colleges will boost their careers. The above was made known by Nelson Oluwabukola Michael, CEO, Dream Project for Africa, while making public the results of the ESHBNC campaign and its follow-up research study. Speaking further, Michael said, “The Nigerian school system is fast collapsing. Research shows that many students are not even sure why they are in school. Many students in their final years at Nigerian schools have no clue how or where to market their degrees. The easiest way out is knowing someone who might be able to help secure a job. “Aside the case of the uncertain future that awaits tens of millions of Nigerian students every year, sexual harassment and bribery in Nigerian colleges happen to be another major factor that brings about devastating impacts to the educational system and the individual lives of students. So, Nigerian colleges, through blatant corrupt practices, especially rape and bribery by academic and administrative authorities, have become dream destroyers instead.” He added that “more than ten other advocacy groups and organizations are currently in partnership with DPA on the ESHBNC campaign. The essence of the campaign is to bring the dangers of the impact of unbridled sexual harassment and bribery in the educational system to the attention of the government and other stakeholders. However, except for some once in a while outbursts of “I will” or “I promise” statements from the presidency, nothing specific has been done by the government to put a system that would bring an end to the horrors surrounding the issue of rape and bribery in Nigerian colleges.” Concluding, he said that “there are some ongoing investigations into some sexual harassment cases and we are working with the victims to ensure they get maximum damages for the injustice done to them and to ensure that their tormentors get considerable jail terms commensurate to their crimes.”