The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a nationwide campaign to tackle unruly graduation “sign-out” practices and re-orient citizens on national values.
The campaign was flagged off on Tuesday at the federal secretariat in Bauchi, by the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu.
The sign-out graduation celebration has become a staple amongst secondary and university students. It involves using permanent markers to put signatures and messages on school uniforms or plain white shirts to commemorate the end of an era and celebrate a new beginning.
However, several states have expressed concerns regarding behavior exhibited by some students during the celebration.
Issa-Onilu expressed concern over disorderly behavior by students during graduation ceremonies, stressing that such practices should no longer be tolerated. “There must be a stand against this unruly behavior,” he said.
The campaign will run across the 36 states, the FCT and 774 local government areas through press conferences, town hall meetings, school visits, market rallies, roadshows, and advocacy visits.
In addition to addressing students conduct and disaster readiness, the initiative will focus on national security awareness, youth values re-orientation, and strengthening respect for Nigeria’s identity and symbols.