UNIVERSITY OF JOS TO COLLABORATE WITH THE PLATEAU STATE GENDER AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SOCIAL VICES

UNIVERSITY OF JOS TO COLLABORATE WITH THE PLATEAU STATE GENDER AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SOCIAL VICES

The Vice Chancellor the University of Jos Professor Tanko Ishaya, FBCS, FNCS, has said the institution is ready to partner with organizations and agencies that have the interest of protecting women, children and those with disabilities from harm.

  He stated this when a team from the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission led by the Chairperson Barrister Olivia Dazyam paid a courtesy call on him and his management team to inform him of the Commissions plans to tackle crimes against the weak by the strong.

   The Vice Chancellor said University of Jos is the first among six Universities to establish a Center for Gender and Women Studies, adding that the University has zero tolerance for sexual harassment and harassment of any kind on individuals within its community and stressed that anyone found guilty will face serious sanctions.

   He expressed optimism that a collaboration between the two bodies will go a long way to tackle child trafficking, prostitution, drug abuse and other social vices while emphazing the need to look beyond identifying these problems and also think of finding solutions to them. Earlier the Director Center for Gender and Women Studies, Professor Chikas Tsilpi said members of the Commission had sought to see the Vice Chancellor and his management to discuss the possibility of collaboration in areas that will be mutually beneficial to the institutions. 

    In her speech, Barrister Dazyam, who was accompanied by the Management of the Commission, a Lawyer and a former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, said they had come to seek ways of collaborating with the University of Jos in tackling social vices like prostitution, child trafficking, child abuse and domestic violence 

    She said already there is a bill in State Assembly which when passed mandates the Commission to work closely with the Human Rights Commission, create awareness and sensitize people of the State on their Rights, Rights such as the Protection of Women, Children and the Vulnerable and also Rights to Prevent Human Rights Violations 

    The Chairperson expressed pain that in the course of their work, they came across serious issues of prostitution, child trafficking, domestic violence in some cases girls were selling their wombs as surrogates which she said was dangerous for a young woman to do,

   Mrs. Dazyam further said a collaboration will allow for practical field experiences to be shared between the two institutions with the aim of finding solutions to the prevalent social vices,

    Also in his brief remark the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Professor Joshua Chollom said the decision by the Commission to seek collaboration with the University was a laudable one which will go a long way in tackling societal ills.

     The Acting Director Advancement Office, Professor Sarah Lwahas in her comments placed emphasis on the need for parents especially mothers to place more attention to their children and get to know their activities with a view to guiding them positively.

     In her own remarks the Deputy Director Student Affairs, Dr. Rosemary Anga said the Commission should engage students in their activities so that the students will  have a sense of belonging and will eventually spread word about activities of the Commission.

      Lending voice to the suggestions the President of the Student Union Government Mr Young Lang Talyoung, represented by the Vice President Simi Chollom who expressed appreciation to the Commission because she had attended a workshop where she leant a lot about sexual harassment. The Vice Chancellor in conclusion directed Professor Tsilpi to quickly contact the relevant units in the University to kick start the process of an MoU with the Commission.

On the delegation of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission were:

Barrister Nalong Gumut - Secretary

Barrister Julia Gwavaigmin - Director Legal Services

Mrs. Nene Dung - Director Media/Investigation

Mrs, Evelyn Jepgwam -Director Finance and Supplies

Mrs. Dorcas Bawa - Director Mediation and Public Complaints

Mrs, Grace Pam - Director Administration

Mr. Danladi Guteng Director Audit

Accompanying the Director Centre for Gender and Women Studies were:

Dr. Sahmicit Kumswa - Deputy Director

Professor Sarah Lwahas - Ag. Director Advancement Office

Dr. Rosemary Anga - Deputy Dean Students Affairs

Mr. Bitrus Kibadau - Senior Assistant Registrar

Dr. Tina Irimdu Coordinator Mentorship Programme

Mr. Younglan Taylong - SUG President (represented by Simi Chollom VP

Representative of the Youth Friendly Centre

John Orshi

09/06/2026