Ruth Semilore
The Chief Medical Director of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Professor John Okeniyi, has pledged to remove beds placed in several offices within the hospital to combat sexual harassment of female staff.
Speaking to journalists during a progress report on his one-year administration, Professor Okeniyi highlighted that the presence of beds in hospital offices could potentially provoke sexual advances, making it necessary to eliminate them.
He also emphasized that the institution now has a strict anti-sexual harassment policy in place, warning that ignorance of the law will not be tolerated as an excuse for misconduct.
READ ALSO:Oyo State Governor, Makinde reveals how his daughter faced bullying during NYSC service
He said;
“The laws are clear, which we have brought to the fore for the notice of the people, ‘thou shall not sexually harass’. So ignorance can no longer be a defence, now you all know and if anybody does that, the next step is a deterrent with punishment. If anybody does that, we will punish him and will not sweep it under the carpet.
“Once we start punishing people, others will be exposed subsequently, there will be a wall of shame on the Internet for it. It will be there for your friends, children, and spouse to see forever.
“For those who cannot control their libido, they will have the law to contend with. Besides that, we will remove beds from offices being used under the guise of night shift. Having beds in offices could provoke sexual harassment. From now, I will personally supervise the removal of beds from offices. The night shift is not meant for sleeping but for people to do their job and leave.
“I have also empowered servicom people to say something, people are groaning from sexual harassment. Now they know that if they talk, there is a listening ear and action would be taken”.
Mr John is an empty skull, out of all the numerous challenges facing that Institution ranging from various court issues, shortage of both clinical and non clinical staff, inadequate electricity supply, weeds, reptiles etc all he could think of coming to public with is issue of sex harassment as if he’s a saint himself. History is recording!!
RE: We‘ll remove office beds to curb sexual harassment of female staff – OAUTH CMD
The recent allegations of sexual harassment at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) under Professor John Akintunde Okeniyi’s leadership are deeply disturbing and utterly unacceptable. Rather than tackling the hospital’s pressing issues, Okeniyi’s administration is unfairly diverting attention with unsubstantiated claims, causing harm to the hospital’s reputation and undermining the tireless efforts of its dedicated staff.
These baseless allegations not only damage the credibility of the few available OAUTH hardworking doctors, nurses, pharmacists, security personnels, health attendants, administrative staff and other frontiers but also create a toxic work environment. The staff’s commitment to ensuring the hospital runs smoothly, made them to murder sleep, working round the clock to the extent of making day and night shift to cover visible lapses and achieve expected results. So they deserves nothing but full recognition and respect.
But organization politics is not kind to them, the resultant effect of the political interplay produce the crop of leaders led by Prof. John Akintunde Okeniyi. Instead of appreciating the sweat and blood of these staff, Okeniyi and his team would rather subjected them to public ridicule with baseless allegations of sexual harassment.
Okeniyi’s decision to remove office beds, citing prevention of sexual harassment, is a misguided and ineffective solution to the huge problem on his neck. He has always failed to address the root causes of harassment and instead perpetuates harmful stereotypes. Fresh in our memory is the recent context of the communique that was jointly signed by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) OAUTH branch President and Public Relations Officer, Dr. Enesi Ibukunoluwa and Dr. Abiola Rasheed, it appears that the hospital management of Prof. John Okeniyi is more concerned with presenting a fake positive image rather than addressing the pressing issues faced by the doctors and other hospital staff in general.
For the benefit of finding out the whole truth we make a clarion call to all media houses, investigative journalists, concerned citizens and relevant stakeholders, should please as a matter of reveling the truth and unmasked the masquerade, they should do an on-site assessment. The findings will be shocking to everyone, that on countless occasions, the hospital staff have decried the lack of adequate medical equipment, the shortage of drugs, and the deplorable state of the hospital’s infrastructure. The doctors in particular lamented the lack of proper sanitation and hygiene, which has led to the spread of diseases and the loss of precious lives. Help to ask Prof. Okeniyi if all the above issues have been resolved after how many months.
Despite repeated engagements with the hospital management, their concerns have fallen on deaf ears. The doctors and other staff are lamenting snake infestation, poor working conditions, and unpaid salaries that have plagued the hospital for months, aside the unconstitutional disengagement of legally employed staff. The management, led by Prof. John Okeniyi, seems to have failed to provide adequate solutions to the problems facing the hospital, instead opting for cosmetic measures that do not address the root causes of the crisis.
The hospital staff demands are simple: payment of outstanding arrears, reinstatement of newly employed staff and capturing them on IPPIS, payment of withheld salaries of staff already on the payroll, restoration of call meals for clinical staffs, and refurbishment of call rooms for doctors. Yet, these demands have been ignored, leaving the staff with no choice but to protest and threaten an indefinite strike.
All these aren’t the major concern of Prof. John Akintunde Okeniyi but chasing frivolities up and as turned his main duties and concern. The world should help to ask our dear Prof. Okeniyi, how does this baseless allegation of sexual harassment translate to work effectiveness and efficiency. All we know, is that effective leadership demands creating a safe, respectful work environment. If Prof. Okeniyi is running out of idea and don’t know what to do especially if at all he perceive any harassment from his quarters, though we are very sure such allegation might ironically be Prof. John’s doing, all with the intention of scoring cheap public sympathy.
Nevertheless, we have decided to play along with his game, and buy his false allegations because we love the institution and wishes to make the organization move forward, hence, we hereby put forward the following key strategies to prevent sexual harassment if we should go by Prof. Okeniyi accusations. He should as a matter of urgency constitute a comprehensive and regular training programe that train staff on sexual harassment policies, procedures, and expectations. Also, bystander intervention training that will encourage employees to speak up when witnessing harassment. Furthermore, anonymous feedback mechanisms that allow staff to report incidents confidentially. Finally, strong leadership that demonstrate commitment to preventing sexual harassment should be put in place and not the cosmetic package of looking like a saint that is full of integrity and in reality Okeniyi and his team are very far from it.
Therefore, rushing to judgment without thorough investigations only serves to further harm and divide the hospital community. Fairness, due process, and empathy are essential in addressing allegations. The public deserves transparency and accountability. Okeniyi’s administration must provide concrete evidence to support these claims or retract them and focus on the hospital’s real challenges.
It’s crucial to recognize the dedication and integrity of OAUTH staff and refrain from tarnishing their reputation with unfounded allegations. The hospital challenges demand constructive solutions, not destructive rumours. By promoting a culture of respect, transparency, and accountability, OAUTH can overcome its challenges and continue providing excellent healthcare services.
If Okeniyi and his team fail to desist from their continuous baseless accusations, workers will be left with no option than to add to the already ongoing multiple legal cases again him and his clueless team. To address the allegations against Okeniyi and his team, we may consider multiple legal avenues through:
*Criminal Law*: Okeniyi and his team may face charges for defamation and false accusations, which can harm individuals’ or organizations’ reputations. This can be pursued through a defamation lawsuit, which can provide monetary compensation for damages to one’s reputation.
*Labour Law*: Disciplinary actions for workplace harassment and discrimination are also warranted. This includes investigating potential breaches of employment contracts and company policies.
*Administrative Lawsuit*: Okeniyi and his team may face legal action for breach of contract and mismanagement. This could involve internal investigations or external audits to determine the extent of any misconduct.
*Constitutional Law*: An investigation into potential violations of the right to fair hearing and freedom from discrimination is also necessary. This ensures that all parties involved are treated fairly and without bias.
It’s is crucial for him and his team to recognize the dedication and integrity of OAUTH staff and refrain from tarnishing their reputation with unfounded allegations. Only by promoting a culture of respect, transparency, and accountability, OAUTH can overcome it’s challenges and continue providing excellent healthcare services rather than for them to continue their rigmarole without visible achievement.
Okeniyi and his clueless team should as a matter of time continue their mediocrity in power as time ticks.
Nothing last forever.