19th February, 2024
By Funmilayo Adeyemi
Maj.- Gen. Suleiman Kazaure (rtd), former Director General of of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been appointed the chairman of the newly formed special committee for the Eradication of Social Vices in Tertiary Institutions (SESV-TI).
Kazaure, who is also currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Nigerian Army University Biu will lead the Committee formed as part of decisive steps to address the growing concern over social vices in tertiary institutions across the country, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon said in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, the formation of the special committee became necessary to tackle social vices such as drug abuse, cultism, cybercrime, sexual harassment, and academic dishonesty among others.
Asefon added that these vices didn’t not only hinder academic performance but also threatened their overall safety and well-being, thereby casting a shadow over the vibrant environment of tertiary institutions.
“The formation of the special committee underscores a significant commitment of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu to safeguard the future of Nigerian students.
“And also the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach in tackling the menace of social vices in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions,” he said.
Asefon said that the committee was drawn from various stakeholders, renowned educationists, students activists, and patriotic leaders among others.
He listed other members of the newly formed special committee for the Eradication of Social Vices in Tertiary Institutions to include Maxwell Okoye who will act as the Secretary, while prominent figures include Prof. Jerry Ugokwe, a Professor of Legislative Studies, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, former Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives.
Also on the list are former Governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngilari, former FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramat Tijjani, the Archbishop of the African Church Abuja, Bishop Peter Ogunmuyiwa.
Dr Abubakar Rimi Jnr, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu, Mr Ismail Lawanson, Mr Tayyiba Abdulrazak and representatives of security agencies were also members .
Asefon said the mandate of the committee was to develop and implement comprehensive awareness campaigns, educate students about the dangers of social vices and promote positive values.
He added that the committee would also collaborate with tertiary institution’s administrators to strengthen security measures and implement stricter disciplinary codes.