The Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has issued an apology in response to the controversy surrounding her comments in a viral video related to the sexual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar. She expressed regret for any offense her comments may have caused and reaffirmed her commitment to justice and the protection of women’s rights in Nigeria. The minister’s comments had drawn criticism from gender rights activists who demanded a retraction and public apology. In her statement, she emphasized her dedication to upholding due diligence, the rule of law, and the pursuit of justice for women.
The controversy arose when the minister was heard in the video insinuating that the female students involved in the case were not sexually harassed since they had not been raped, and she also allegedly threatened them with imprisonment if they pursued the case further. The minister’s apology acknowledges that her intentions were sincere but acknowledges the need to work together to protect women’s rights and create a safe environment for female students in educational institutions.