Writing By Ismai’l Adamu , Editing By Godwin Duru
National Orientation Agency (NOA) says it is collaborating with the federal and state ministries of education to sanction extreme celebration by students during secondary school graduation.
The Director General of the agency, Mr. Lanre Issa-Oniru, stated this in Katsina at a press conference to launch a nationwide enlightenment campaign on key national symbols and government policies.
Represented by the Director Reforms and Coordination of the agency, Mr. John Bala, the NOA DG explained that recent video clips of wild and indecent celebrations by students during their graduation warrant swift action by authorities and relevant stakeholders to halt the trend.
He said as leaders of tomorrow, students should be guided to act in ways that project and promote the good cultural and social values and norms of the Nigerian people.
Issa-Oniru pointed out that wild, indecent and extreme celebrations that feature sexually explicit acts which are posted on the social media, does not depict the values for which Nigerians are known for.
“We have observed that during secondary school graduations, students engage in extreme practices that go against our cultural norms and values, some even force their parents to give them money to make unwarranted contributions for graduation parties and other obscene celebrations.
“During the celebrations, they engage in offensive practices that go against the noble values we are known for, some go almost naked and post it on social media, some drink alcohol or smoke cigarette, others go to the extent of cutting themselves or writing on their uniforms.
“We feel that this is contrary to the noble values of discipline, decency, and it does not respect our two major religions, that is why we are carrying this campaign to schools so that we educate school managements and parents on the need to sanction these extreme practices by students.
“Ironically, these students engage in these inappropriate celebrations even before they get their final year or SSCE results. In the recent past when students graduate, they usually go home to inform their parents, and the parents would pray for them and bless their graduation certificates or results. That is the way it should be, that represents our values as Nigerians.
“The Katsina State NOA Director and his team have already paid a visit to the management of some schools to sensitize them on the ills of these extreme graduation practices that are contrary to our noble values as Nigerians.
“That is why as part of our mandate, we are carry out sensitization campaign on this issue so that school managements will see reason to enforce discipline among their students during graduation sign outs”, he said.
Isma’il Adamu
