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Sexual Harassment Allegation In The Senate Negates National Cohesion

Published

8 months ago

March 12, 2025

Cases of sexual harassment have been existing even beyond Nigeria.
Only recently, it reared its ugly head in the National Assembly, particularly in the hallowed chamber of the Senate where an accusation by a sitting Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that she was a victim of sexual harassment by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
This was after she had been relocated to another seat in the chamber, in what is generally considered a routine and not an uncommon scenario.
Apparently the change of seat did not go down well with the Kogi Central Senator who turned round to allege that she was being victimised because she had turned down overtures of sexual affiliation with Akpabio.
The allegation and subsequent six months suspension of Natasha for breaching rules and procedure after the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges reviewed the matter is to say the least worrisome.

Issues bordering on sexual harassment are however now more prominent with politicians, celebrities and those in offices of authority, especially where ‘favour’ is often dished out.
The Akpabio-Natasha imbroglio is coming at a time when there is need for cohesion and consensus among the members of the Senate to move the nation forward given our parlous state of economy and national development.
Before now, both have had informal cordiality dating years before they met at the National Assembly.
It is sad that dirty linens are being washed in the public such that those remotely or closely related to the incident at the NASS have been subjected to the cleaners and their moral standing subjected to scrutiny.
Many individuals, groups and even government agencies have taken a stance in the public domain with a demeaning effect on national cohesion.
We see this situation as a huge distraction for the Senate as court cases have been instituted by Natasha and even Akpabio’s family on different issues.
While not labeling Akpabio as a culprit in this matter as we are not exposed to facts behind the scene, there is reason for those in authority to be conscious that they hold positions in trust for the people and at all times put the interest of the nation first in the discharge of their duties.
In this vein, NASS should seek ways to mitigate crisis of any nature as well as review the suspension slammed against Natasha to a less-severe punishment on the issue of negating Senate rules and procedure so that the people of Kogi Central will not be left for too long without a representation in the upper legislative chamber.
We are of the view that there is a need for unity of purpose among NASS members to enhance national cohesion for development in this trying period of our nation.

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ITPN FCT Chapter Ends 3-Day Executive Retreat For Professional Impact, Industry Growth

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The executive members of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), FCT Chapter, led by the Chairperson, Dr. Fatima Obadaki Sule, have successfully concluded a transformative three-day retreat focused on advancing the 7-point agenda that took cognisance of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the socio economic growth and development of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja in particular and the country as a whole through tourism, hospitality and allied trades sector held in Abuja over the weekend.

In a statement jointly signed by Chairman, ITPN, FCT Chapter Dr. Fatima Obadaki Sule, _FITPN and Publicity Sec. ITPN, FCT Chapter Ahmed Mohammed Sule on Tuesday in Abuja

In his remarks as special guest of honour who also declared the retreat opened, the National President of ITPN, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, called on the leadership of the FCT Chapter of the Institute to lead by example and ensure the interests and objectives of the Institute come first in running the affairs of the Chapter, noting that advancing best professionalism practices amongst all the members should be the guiding principle.

Chief Odusanwo further reiterated that, as torch bearers of the Institute in the nation’s capital, they should constantly seek for collaboration and cooperation between the public and private sector stakeholders and key operators to promote the ideals of professionalism, skills and capacity development, career upscaling and industry best practices that the Institute firmly stands for,

While applauding the idea of holding retreat, he noted the exercise as very apt and timely and a dynamic platform for strategic discussions and collaborative engagement among the EXCOs, aimed at repositioning the chapter for greater professional impact and industry leadership in the travel tourism, hospitality and allied trades in the nation’s capital in line with the federal government’s desire for country’s economic diversification through tourism as the main hub of the non-oil sector.

Earlier in her welcome address, Dr. Fatima Obadaki Sule stated that the idea behind the retreat was to enable members of her executive team to be abreast of her vision and mission statement in the successful piloting of the affairs of the Chapter which she wrapped up in her 7- Points agenda, adding that it explicitly summed up the goals and objectives of the Institute as a body of practising tourism professionals in the country and her utmost goal of placing the FCT chapter of the Institute above all the chapters as the Kapital Centre of Excellence in Tourism.

She reeled out her 7-point agenda, which formed the core of the retreat and includes:

Organize fitness sessions and mental awareness campaigns, mentorship program for youth, strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders, promote sustainable tourism and leverage technological innovations, enhance professional development, raise awareness of tourist attractions in FCT and support local entrepreneurs.

She then solicited for the support and active participation of members of the executive present at the retreat which she said was crucial for the success of the Institute in achieving progress and moving forward as a professional body.

During the three days’ retreat which began on Friday 24th and ended on Sunday 26th, executive members shared insights, reviewed operational practices in the industry sector, proffered laudable ideas and suggestions as well as mapped out actionable plans to achieve the objectives of the 7- Points agenda.

The Retreat proper was kick started with the presentation by the Guest Speaker, Dr. Taiwo Famogbiyele, Registrar of the Institute on his paper which x-rayed the 7- Points Agenda of the Chairperson of the FCT Chapter of the Institute. He noted that the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria is a body of practising professionals and a force to be reckoned with because tourism and hospitality sector remains one of the fastest growing industries and a critical driver of economic diversification, job creation and national image-building.

He noted that the retreat was critical to achieving a well-coordinated team work and for fine-tuning the program plans of the leadership of the Institute at the Chapter level for smooth implementation, adding that it will enhance team unity and cohesion, bring about clear and measurable action framework and improve accountability, programme visibility/sustainability and concluded with a step by step exposition of the 7- Points Agenda bordering on relevance, implementable means and expected impactful outcome of each.

Key highlights of resolutions reached during the retreat among others, includes: Unity and Collaborative Actions by Members; Strategic Leadership through Participation at national events; Leveraging on Internal Expertise and Networks to tap from the resource and expertise of members in critical national programmes; Focus on 3- Pillar Strategic Framework – *Wellness and Fitness Initiatives, *Youth Mentorship and Career Development Programmes to address critical gap in hospitality and tourism education, Sustainable Tourism Practices to address environmental, social and economic sustainability; Critical Stakeholder Engagement encompassing all sub-sectors of the tourism, hospitality and allied trades; Organizational Development Imperatives involving all members; The Integration of Physical and Mental Wellbeing with dedicated sessions on incorporating regular aerobic exercises to combat work-related stress and boost overall resilience among members.

The Executive Retreat which was the first of its kind by any chapter of the Institute across the country, was highly interactive and underscored the need for robust partnerships and team work targeted at members for resilience and show of commitment for the impactful growth and development of the Institute in the interest of professionalizing the tourism sector as well as for nation building.

The retreat ended on a refreshing and uplifting note, with members recommitting to the 7-points agenda and calling for broader stakeholder involvement to foster a vibrant, inclusive tourism ecosystem in the FCT and nationwide. This initiative aligns with the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s national goals for sustainable development as well as position ITPN as a proactive force in Nigeria’s creative, tourism and hospitality industry.

In conclusion, members of the executive at the retreat session took time off on day 3 of the exercise and embarked on an excursion tour of one of the prolific eco-tourism spots in the nation’s capital -The Kaspaland and Kayak Resort, where they refreshed, socialized and networked with a renewed commitment to work together and foster best practices in the hospitality and tourism in collaboration with critical stakeholders to support efforts toward sustainable tourism development in Nigeria.

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