Nigerian Students Launch "#DonateAPenToMrPresident" Campaign Urging Swift Assent to Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill
Abdul Fatima Zara, a student from the University of Abuja, emphasized the symbolic significance of pens to students, stating, "The most symbolic tool for students are pens, and that is why we have donated these pens to the president." This act serves as a unique appeal for urgency in signing the bill into law.
AKACHI NOEL 
In a collaborative effort with the Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI), students from various Nigerian tertiary institutions have initiated the "#DonateAPenToMrPresident" campaign, aimed at encouraging President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to promptly assent to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill currently before him. The symbolic donation of pens took place in Abuja, where students gathered and presented the pens to the President through his Senior Special Assistant on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon.
Abdul Fatima Zara, a student from the University of Abuja, emphasized the symbolic significance of pens to students, stating, "The most symbolic tool for students are pens, and that is why we have donated these pens to the president." This act serves as a unique appeal for urgency in signing the bill into law.
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The lead director of GMI, Omowumi Ogunrotimi, highlighted the collaborative effort with Nigerian students in launching the campaign across campuses nationwide. The initiative, named the "#DonateAPenToMrPresident Campaign," is geared towards contributing pens to draw attention to the need for swift action in safeguarding students from sexual and gender-based violence within educational settings.
In response to the campaign, Sunday Asefon, the presidential aide, acknowledged the persistent issue of sexual harassment in educational institutions. He affirmed that the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, once enacted, would address such cases and ensure appropriate punishment for offenders. This collaborative effort reflects the determination to combat sexual harassment within the educational sector.
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The campaign draws attention to the shortage of pens as a possible factor contributing to the delay in the bill's assent, leveraging a symbolic gesture to advocate for the protection of students through timely legislation. As the bill awaits Presidential assent, this student-led initiative underscores the role of civil society in influencing legislative processes and fostering awareness on critical social issues
