From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Imo State government have banned the dramatic sign-out of students in secondary and tertiary institutions.
In separate press conferences by the government on Thursday, the usual joyful mood of the sign-out tradition was condemned by NOA Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and the State Commissioner for Tertiary and Technical Education, Professor Victor Nwachukwu.
The DG described the act by the students as “extreme graduating practices which do not align with our values”.
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In her remarks, the State Director of NOA, Stella Maris Oparaugo, giving instances of the immoral practice by secondary school students in the state, described it as a shaming behaviour which should be outrightly condemned.
However, while frowning at the practice by students in the state, the Commissioner said it is “inimical to public morality and a direct threat to the safety and image of our academic institutions”.
He announced that with immediate effect, “the practice of sign out is hereby banned at all state-owned tertiary institutions in Imo State.”
Institutions, he noted, are directed to enforce strict compliance with the directives and impose disciplinary measures on any students, groups, or associations that violate it.
NOA, meanwhile, emphasising the enlightenment of the masses on government programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), flooding and disaster preparedness, national security awareness, national values reorientation (student youth loans), and the Nigerian Identity National Symbols Sensitisation, explained that the awareness campaign will be carried out through press conferences, town hall meetings, advocacy visits, visitations to schools, traditional rulers, motor parks, and markets in the 36 LGAs of the state across Nigeria.
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