The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA),has demanded that any person implicated in thecases of abuse of female students in Unity schools “should face face the full weight of the law.”
President-General, Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, made this call in a statement Monday. He said “Any and all persons implicated in this conduct should face the full weight of the law. The time is overdue to address seriously the epidemic of sex abuse and sexual exploitation of children in our schools with seriousness. USOSA stands ready to provide constructive partnership to government in addressing this crisis urgently.
The statement noted that “Sometime in the past year, the Leadership of the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA), received credible allegations of abuse of female students in some of our Unity schools. Allegations that male teachers had impregnated female students were not uncommon. In a few cases, the teachers allegedly lost their jobs or were transferred to other schools.
“One of the most serious cases alleged the commercial traffic of female learners for sexual purposes in a Unity School.
“The allegations merited serious attention. Reflecting the seriousness of the issue & the lessons of previous experience with similar allegations & following consultations with appropriate persons & entities, we believed it was important to secure credible attestation of these allegations.
Odinkalu disclosed further that “For this purpose, USOSA collaborated with a public interest investigative journalism Trust in an undercover investigation of the allegations.
“The findings are beyond troubling. As an organisation, USOSA is committed to defending the integrity of the environment of ethics in which children learn in our schools.
“Following from this investigation, we are seeking the attention of appropriate authorities in education, law enforcement and child welfare at federal and state levels.”
