Respectfully, Ojua Takim A.,
Thanks to Ojua Takim A for responding to John Egbeazien Oshodi’s article “Vice Chancellor Florence Obi and Her Team: Shame on Them for University Late Inaction and Compromised Student Safety” in the Nigeria online media on August 19, 2023, and for clarifying the details of the alleged sexual misconduct case involving Prof. Cyril Ndifon and the University of Calabar’s administration approach to this issue.
Your insights into the case’s historical setting, leadership transitions, and legal framework are illuminating and contribute to a more complete understanding of the situation.
I would want to take this opportunity to convey my sincere appreciation for the thoughtful and detailed response you provided to my article. Your contribution to the discussion on the claims of sexual misconduct involving Professor Cyril Ndifon and the administration at the University of Calabar has unquestionably enriched the conversation. Your response has brilliantly shed light on the dense web of historical context, leadership transitions, and the legal framework that encapsulates this complicated case.
When dealing with issues of such a serious nature, I totally agree with your emphasis on the importance of precision, ethics, and following proper procedure. When I set out to write this essay, one of my goals was to spark a conversation that goes beyond the immediate incident that occurred at the University of Calabar. My objective was to investigate more general topics including the security of the school, the openness of the administration, and the critical requirement for responsibility.
Your judicious attention on balanced opinions and reliable facts has provided a layer of depth to the conversation within the framework of reacting to charges of sexual misconduct. Specifically, the context of responding to allegations of sexual misconduct. Your perceptive observations go beyond the overarching concepts discussed in my post and delve into deep details to correct some minor errors in the information presented. Among the most important hidden truths that you’ve brought to light are:
The suspension of Professor Cyril Ndifon was incorrectly attributed to the administration that Professor Ivara Isu was in charge of during her tenure. This error has been corrected. When dissecting and interpreting significant events, the utilization of reliable historical data is of the utmost importance, as is highlighted by this correction.
Clarification Regarding the Occurrence of the Incident It should be noted that Professor Zana Akpagu served as Vice Chancellor during the claimed incident that took place in 2015, and not Professor Ivara Isu. By addressing an omission that was made unintentionally, this painstaking adjustment lends a degree of authenticity to the story that was being told.
Clarifying the correct order of vice chancellor successions is an important part of the process of sequencing leadership transitions. Your painstaking attention to detail in preserving chronological accuracy not only helps to improve the historical narrative, but it also contributes to a more in-depth knowledge of the changes in leadership.
Accuracy in the Identification of Faculty Affiliation: It’s wonderful that you’ve acknowledged Professor Florence Banku Obi’s relationship to Special Education and Educational Psychology, two subjects that have their modern roots outside of the Faculty of Social Sciences. However, it is essential to keep in mind that educational psychology’s origins are deeply entwined with the broader field of social sciences. Furthermore, it is my sincere hope that the entire field of education will eventually return to the circle or faculty of social sciences as a result of the unprecedented social challenges that we are currently facing in both education and society. Even though I work in the highly specialized field of criminal justice and social rehabilitation, I much prefer the term “prisons” to “correctional institutions” (call me old-fashioned if you want, but I prefer prisons). You may count on me to be there with you when correctional institutions all over the world embrace complete correctional psychology routines and programs. I look forward to that day.
Legal Mandate for Restoration: Ojua Takim A. elucidates that the recall and restoration of Professor Ndifon were not wholly led by the Vice Chancellor, but rather were in compliance with a judicial mandate and a properly created disciplinary body. He states that this was the case when he explains that the recall and restoration of Professor Ndifon occurred. According to him, it is essential to have this knowledge since it demonstrates conclusively that the recall and reinstatement of Professor Ndifon were not the result of the sole initiative of the Vice Chancellor. In spite of the fact that a decision was reached by the ‘court,’ the media report still poses questions that have not been satisfactorily answered concerning the aspects of this case that involve law enforcement and the legal system, particularly as it pertains to the environment of Nigeria. You are well aware that the students’ concerns stem from the protracted history of inappropriate behavior on the part of the professors, and you should also be aware that the students’ concerns are justified. On the other hand, I can see your point of view.
The administrative staff’s quick response to the student-led demonstrations, which came only four days after the protests had first begun, is an admirable feat and worthy of commendation. The ongoing existence of problems that haven’t been solved, like the case of the former law student whose academic progress was slowed down because of concerns that weren’t addressed, is, on the other hand, evidence that the system continues to have room for improvement and development. Since she has brought her concerns to the public’s attention, the administration must react to her in full as quickly as possible, and they ought to inform the media of their findings. Please.
Your claimed unshakeable commitment to defending integrity, combatting fraud, sexual offenses, and academic misconduct through a strict zero-tolerance policy is encouraging. Furthermore, the administration has stated that it has a zero-tolerance stance for sexual misconduct. Many former and current students may disagree on this point. Your outstanding commitment to principled action can be reflected in the way you have consistently stressed evidence-based judgments and maintained an active engagement with the charges made against Professor Cyril Ndifon. The amplification of students’ cumulative concerns, which have developed over time, resonates as a rallying cry for openness, reform, and a school atmosphere marked by accountability.
Should the claims be found to be true, I am totally in agreement with your viewpoint that Professor Cyril ought to be held accountable for whatever legal repercussions result from this situation. Your perceptive assessment of potential issues that may arise as a result of corruption within the Nigerian police, investigative bodies, and the court serves as a forceful reminder of the need for increased vigilance and collaborative protection of justice. Thank you for making this observation.
In addition, the vital importance of recognizing the general mistrust regarding the efficacy of law enforcement and the legal system in dealing with circumstances of this sort cannot be stressed. This is a problem that has been going on for a long time, and it needs to be addressed. It is vital to address the mistrust that many students have toward these institutions in order to create an atmosphere on campus that is safe and secure for students. This will allow for the creation of an atmosphere on campus that is safe and secure for students.
In this setting, it is of the utmost importance to recognize that dwelling on insignificant errors and giving in to defensiveness detracts from the greater goals of cultivating an atmosphere that is safe, trustworthy, and open to communication. These kinds of behaviors can stymie efforts to make progress that is beneficial and water down the core of the discussion.
Furthermore, I’d want to point out that while writing the initial article, I was compelled by a sense of urgency, and my feelings may have had an impact on the tone that I chose to adopt at various points. This is something I’d like to acknowledge. Nonetheless, I am committed to ensuring that this dialogue remains constructive, factually sound, and solution-focused throughout. I shall do everything in my power to achieve this aim. In fact, if the public sees a considerable improvement in these disturbing situations, I might be happy to contribute to your projects and programs in these domains as a sex offender evaluation and treatment psychologist.
In addition, acknowledging the need to address the passage of time without redress for certain students’ claims highlights the significance of communicating the findings of investigations to the public in a timely manner while maintaining complete transparency. This protracted delay highlights how important it is to have procedural reform, transparency, and effective communication when dealing with claims of such a grave nature.
Students should not be required to resort to protest in order to draw worldwide attention and action, and this point should be emphasized. The fact that these charges have acquired traction around the world as a result of student demonstrations highlights the profound necessity for institutions to respond in a prompt and aggressive manner. This circumstance serves as a powerful reminder that the concerns of students need to be handled swiftly and openly, without the need for unusual steps to be used in order to raise their voices. Not only can prompt and efficient institutional responses reduce student complaints, but they also indicate an administration’s dedication to protecting the rights and well-being of the members of the community it serves.
Before I conclude, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Vice Chancellor Prof. Obi and the rest of her dedicated staff. She is in the same academic realm as me, which adds to my delight at her presence. I have extensive experience working as a clinical and forensic psychologist, as well as in special education and psychological testing, and in institutions that cater to people with special needs. I am available to assist anytime my abilities are required.
The depth of my gratitude extends to encompass their attentive consideration of the realities surrounding sexual offending behaviors – behaviors that can be incredibly challenging to change.
Please, Takim Ojua. I commend the administration’s commitment to supporting change, even in the face of difficulty, and their proactive approach to addressing student issues without waiting for more open protests. Your unwavering dedication to following up on student concerns, whether before or after protests, is deeply felt. Full-fledged policy implementation will demonstrate your commitment to creating a safer and more accountable campus environment. Your collaborative efforts are much appreciated. Make una stay safe ooo.
Again, I appreciate the administration’s concern for the wellbeing of the student body and the positive ways in which they are helping to shape the future of a developing but problematic country like Nigeria. We will get there institutionally and democratically.
Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic/clinical psychologist, and legal psychologist. He is the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health in Nigeria, and he provides forensic-clinical psychological services to several government organizations in the United States. He is currently a contributing faculty member at Nexus International University, Weldios University, Walden University, and Nova Southeastern University. [email protected]
The post Improving The Safety Of Students At The University Of Calabar: An Updated Response To Critique of This Author’s Approach -By John Egbeazien Oshodi first appeared on Opinion Nigeria.
