CMD Professor John Okeniyi, the Chief Medical Director of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has vowed to eliminate the beds that are situated in various hospital offices in order to put an end to the sexual harassment of female employees.
Speaking to reporters at the hospital complex in Ile-Ife while providing progress updates on his one-year administration, he stated that the beds stationed in the offices could provoke sexual drive, necessitating the removal of the beds.
He claims that since the school now has an anti-sexual harassment law in place, breaking the law cannot and will not be justified by ignorance. The statutes are unambiguous, as we have made plain to the public: “You shall not engage in sexual harassment.
” Since you are all aware, ignorance can no longer be an excuse, and if someone still does it, punishment will serve as a deterrent. If someone does it, we will hold them accountable and not ignore it.
“Once we begin punishing individuals, more will come to light later, and there will be a virtual wall of shame for it on the Internet. It will support your kids, friends, and spouse to see forever.”
“Those who are unable to control their libido will face legal consequences. Aside from that, we will remove mattresses from offices that are used for the night shift.
Having beds in offices could lead to sexual harassment. Starting immediately, I shall personally supervise the removal of beds from offices.
The night shift is not intended for sleeping, but for people to complete their tasks and leave. “I’ve also empowered Sevicom employees to speak up; people are groaning from sexual harassment.”
They now understand that if they speak, there is a listening ear and action will be taken,” he said. Speaking on the topic of dismissed personnel, he stated that the affected individuals were duped by some members of the system and illegally recruited into the system, regretting that a teaching hospital cannot employ 2,054 people at once.
“We have conducted a suitability test for the required candidates and out of the 450 the Federal Ministry of Health gave us a waiver to recruit, we have properly employed 390 persons” , the official stated.
In Essence
His emphasis on eliminating the conditions that might foster inappropriate behavior, such as the presence of mattresses in offices, signals a broader commitment to curbing sexual harassment in the institution.
While this specific measure may seem unusual, it reflects the administration’s determination to create a professional and respectful environment for employees.
Moreover, Okeniyi’s reference to the anti-sexual harassment law and the emphasis on accountability, education, and awareness is crucial.
By making it clear that ignorance will no longer be an excuse, and that violators will face public shame and legal consequences, the administration is fostering a culture of zero tolerance. This can serve as both a deterrent and a means of empowering victims to come forward.
