In response to allegations of sexual harassment against Professor Cyril Ndifon, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi, held a press briefing on Friday, September 15, 2023, addressing the ongoing investigation and asserting her commitment to the university’s mission and values.
Prof. Obi began by clarifying that her administration had nothing personal against Prof. Cyril Ndifon and that the university had established a committee to thoroughly investigate the allegations of sexual harassment made by students from the Faculty of Law.
During the briefing, Prof. Obi expressed her lack of personal contact with the students who had come forward to testify about the incident. She lamented that despite the university’s efforts to address the issue through procedural administrative channels, a new dimension emerged with the release of a viral audio recording. In this audio, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy, was heard making intimidating statements and threats against the students who had testified against Prof. Cyril Ndifon.
However, Prof. Obi emphasized that her administration’s focus was solely on the university’s vision, mission, and philosophy. These core values revolve around producing quality graduates, contributing to development, and pursuing knowledge for enlightenment, freedom, and service to humanity.
Responding to the comments made by Minister Uju Kennedy, Prof. Obi reiterated that the petition against Prof. Cyril Ndifon was initiated by the students of the Faculty of Law independently, without any influence or duress from the university’s staff or management.
The Vice-Chancellor praised the courage of the students who had come forward, stating, “The sustained orientation my administration has had in the last couple of years has created an atmosphere that inspires confidence amongst students to speak out against exploitation, victimization, and harassment of any sort.”
She further emphasized the importance of empowering female students in a society dominated by patriarchal norms and values. Prof. Obi affirmed her commitment to nurturing, mentoring, and instilling ethical values in students, especially in an era where such values are rapidly diminishing.
To ensure a fair and unbiased investigation, the university accepted requests from various agencies and groups to serve as observers on the fact-finding panel. These observers include the Public Complaints Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Nigeria Bar Association, the Nigeria Police Gender Unit, the Federation of Female Lawyers, the University of Calabar Alumni Association, and a representative of the Chief Judge of the Malabor High Court.
In addition to this, the investigative panel conducted live-streamed sessions on Zoom to allow interested parties to participate in the proceedings. Despite these efforts, some individuals chose to politicize the situation, which Prof. Obi condemned, stating that confronting impropriety should never be considered a crime.
Prof. Obi urged the public to be patient as the investigative panel continued its work and emphasized the university’s commitment to carrying out an objective and comprehensive investigation. In response to the panel’s request, the university’s management approved an extension of time to ensure a thorough examination of the allegations.
The University of Calabar remains focused on upholding its values, ensuring transparency, and seeking justice in this matter. As the investigation unfolds, the institution remains dedicated to its core mission of providing quality education and fostering an environment where students can thrive free from harassment and exploitation.
