By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has appealed to Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji to issue an executive order banning graduation and sign-out parties across schools and tertiary institutions in the state.
The call was made on Thursday at a press conference and stakeholders’ forum in Ado Ekiti, as part of a nationwide sensitisation campaign on federal government policies, cultural values, and civic responsibilities. The forum focused on five cardinal areas, including the promotion of national values, re-orientation for students at secondary and tertiary levels, campaigns on flood prevention, enlightenment on government policies and activities, the National Identity Project, national symbols, and national security awareness.
NOA Director General, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu, represented by the agency’s Ekiti State Director, Mrs Kemi Akomolede, said the sensitisation programme was vital in fostering interaction between citizens and policymakers while promoting feedback-driven governance.
Commending Governor Oyebanji’s efforts in education, Isa-Onilu called for immediate measures to curb what he described as the excesses associated with graduation celebrations, particularly among younger pupils and tertiary students. He urged the governor to take a cue from other states that have already prohibited elaborate graduation events for kindergarten, nursery, primary, and junior secondary school pupils.
“We are concerned about the unnecessary financial strain placed on parents through excessive demands for parties and ceremonies. We also frown at the indecent behaviour and rising criminal activities linked to sign-out parties in secondary schools and higher institutions,” Mrs Akomolede stated.
She further appealed to parents, teachers, and the Ministry of Education to intensify supervision of students and curtail inappropriate practices. Additionally, she urged residents of Ekiti State to adopt a security-conscious lifestyle and avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse in gutters to mitigate the effects of flooding.
In his remarks, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeniyi Ajakaiye, represented by High Chief Tope Aluko, praised NOA and security agencies for their efforts but stressed the need for greater federal government funding to enable the agency to fulfil its grassroots responsibilities.
“As traditional rulers, we see the good work being done by NOA, but they lack the financial support necessary to achieve their goals. I urge the federal government to increase their funding,” Aluko said.
He also criticised school proprietors who impose unnecessary costs on parents, including frequent textbook changes and extravagant ceremonies. “Textbooks should not be replaced arbitrarily. Older pupils should be able to pass theirs down to younger ones,” he added.
Participants at the forum endorsed several government initiatives, particularly the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme, but lamented that inadequate information had prevented many students from accessing the grants.
Stakeholders present included representatives of students’ associations, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), police, religious groups, artisans, corporate organisations, market associations, and traditional rulers.
