The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, has threatened to sanction any staff indulged in sex-for-marks, urging students to report any lecturer who demands sex from them for disciplinary actions.

The Deputy Rector, Mrs. Abiodun Olubanmiwa, stated this at a press conference heralding the 34th convocation of the polytechnic.

Olubanmiwa, who is the graduation planning committee chairman, said: “No sex for the mark. Students free to report any allegation. They have access to the management to report it. Anyone found wanting would be handed over to disciplinary committees. There are staff and students in disciplinary committees.”

She disclosed that the 34th graduation of the citadel of learning would hold from December 6 to 13, 2019.

Head of Department, Communication and Language Arts at the University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Ayobami Ojebode, will deliver graduation lecture entitled ‘The Dream, The Challenges and Reality of contemporary Nigerian Fresh Graduates’ on Thursday, December 12, at the North Campus Assembly Hall.

Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde is expected to lead the pack of dignitaries from all walks of life to the event.

Meanwhile, wife of the vice president, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, has said that abuse of any form is wrong and an offence against humanity.

She disclosed this yesterday at the graduation of over 300 out-of-school girls from Spotlight, Step-up Training and Empowerment Programme, an initiative of the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) in Lagos.

“Gender-based violence must stop! Our girls are precious and special.

“Whenever you hear, see or know of abuse, please speak up. Beyond this, we all should be advocates, persuading as many people as possible to take the path of justice, good and equity,” Mrs. Osinbajo said to the girls.

The project, supported by The Women Helping Hands Initiative (TWHHI) was to end gender-based violence in communities.

The graduands, from Yaba and Ikorodu communities, were empowered with skills including venue decoration, event planning, tailoring, bead making, catering, among others.

She expressed excitement over the participation of the students throughout the training.

According to her, anyone with an issue in the university with a lecturer should dial for a concerned mother, a group under TWHHI, who would go with the student to ensure things are done right.

Deputy Regional Director, West and Central Africa, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mamadou Kante, said the agency’s priority was economic empowerment, hygiene and sexual health.

The economic empowerment is important because to be free you have to be able to generate some resources.

He called on the graduands to explore their full potential and fulfil their dreams.

According to Kante, the initiative is funded by the EU to use 500 million euros within Africa and North America to empower girls.