The Vice-Chancellor of the Anchor University, Lagos , Prof. Samuel Bandele has reiterated that the school management does not cover up any form of indecent behaviour within its campus.
He reaffirmed that the institution upholds ethical high standards of discipline within the school system.
Bandele, in his reaction to a recent tweet by a student, Evangel Ganiyu, who claimed an artisan who came to work in the female hostel in the school allegedly sneaked into her room attempting to assault her sexually while asleep.
The head of the school management condemned this despicable act in its entirety assuring that the suspect who was already in the Police net at Ayobo Police station would have to prove his innocence at the court of law.
The Don dismissed the needless insinuations making the rounds that the school authority might want to sweep the matter under the carpet, stressing that the school is a responsible entity that runs with the fear of God and in strict compliance with laws of the land.
He reassured that the school built on the foundation of holiness cannot compromise this standards under whatever guise or reason, saying this can be attested to even by all the students.
“Let me put the records straight here. The suspect, in the first place, is not a staff of the school but an artisan who was engaged to work in the female hostel. It was his boss that engaged him to work in the school premises because of ongoing renovation work there.
“It sounds somehow for anybody to say that the school authority would shield a suspect, who allegedly committed a heinous crime,” he expressed in utter surprise.
“I make bold to state clearly that a matter of this nature that involves Evangel Ganiyu has never been brought to my attention before; until now.
“I will also encourage any of the students including Evangel who claimed to have experienced such assault in the past to speak up for proper investigations by the school authority.
“Once, such case is made official, we shall investigate diligently and take appropriate actions thereafter,” the VC promised.
He continued: “When the Female Hall supervisor, Mrs Grace Abodunde brought the student to my office, I needed to ask some pertinent questions to confirm the veracity of her claims before the matter was reported at the Police station in Ayobo.
“At the time of investigation, Evangel was not showing sign of seriousness and I needed to scold her to be serious so that we can get to the root of the matter.
“This, exactly, was what we did. As we speak, the matter is being handled by the Police,” he explained.
The Vice-Chancellor recalled that in a bid to maintain discipline within the system, the management puts in place compulsory pregnancy test for all female students at the point of admission.
“And at random, we carry out drug tests among our students to ensure that they are free from drug related issues. We are always ready to wield the big sticks if any student is found wanting.
“Anchor university is not a haven for unserious students but a place to mould the youths to actualise their dreams and become responsible adults; and be useful to themselves and the nation in general. That is our commitment, that is our goal by the grace of God,” he disclosed.
Corroborating the Vice- Chancellor’s position, the hall supervisor, Mrs Abodunde also confirmed that this was the first time Evangel would have this kind of experience as a student in this school to the best of her knowledge.
“She has not come to me before to make a report of this nature except what happened recently. So, it will be wrong for her to say that the school authority is treating sex harassment with levity. Immediately the matter got to me, I reported officially and the school authority responded immediately,” she further confirmed.
