Sexual Harasement Bill: UPU Youthwing Commends Deputy Senate President

By Oasis Magazine
The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Youthwing, Worldwide ably led by Activist Kelly Efemena Umukoro, has lauded the Deputy Senate President of the 9th Senate Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Member representing Delta Central senatorial district, for his sagacity and display of tact, resolve and commitment over the passage of the Sexual Harassment Bill which the students are primary beneficiaries.

The Senate passed the Sexual Harassment Bill, 2020 (SB. 77) sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege and co-sponsored by 106 senators.

Recall that the bill was read for the first time on October 9, 2019 and scaled through second reading on November 6, 2019.

The bill seeks to prohibit sexual harassment of students in tertiary institutions; criminalise the act of neglect or failure of administrative heads of tertiary educational institutions to address complaints of sexual harassment within a specified period of time; create a strict liability offence by removing mutual consent, as a defence in the prosecution of sexual harassment cases in tertiary educational institutions as well as maintain and sustain the fiduciary relationship that exists between educators and students with the aim of making tertiary institutions in the country conducive centres of learning and moral rectitude.

In a statement signed by the President, Comr. Efemena Umukoro and Secretary, Barr. Harry Ehaoma, the youth body stated that the Bill is a welcome development and capable of putting a final stop to the issue of sexual harassment in higher institutions.

The statement added: “As Urhobo people, we are proud of the sterling performance of our supersonic senator the OBAISI of Urhobo land, Distinguished Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege and we pray God continually to guide him in all his endeavours.”