The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has praised the Imo State Government for its decision to prohibit lavish graduation parties for students in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the state government banned graduation parties for nursery and junior secondary school (JSS 3) students in a memo addressed to parents, guardians, and school proprietors in the state.
The NOA’s Director General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the move as a crucial step toward instilling responsible values in young people and discouraging excessive spending.
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Issa-Onilu stated that the trend of extravagant celebrations for young students promotes a culture of instant gratification and places unnecessary financial strain on parents.
He argued that early exposure to such lavish events distorts the values of hard work, humility, and delayed gratification, which he considers essential for personal growth and national progress.
He affirmed the agency’s commitment to collaborating with state governments, schools, and parents to promote a culture of discipline and responsible upbringing.
Issa-Onilu noted that Imo State’s new policy aligns with the NOA’s recent campaign against “extreme sign-out practices.”
Issa-Onilu also applauded the state government’s directive to prevent school proprietors from changing textbooks annually, stating that this measure will reduce the financial burden on families and make education more accessible.
He added that the policy to allow graduation ceremonies only for Primary 6 and Senior Secondary students is consistent with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.
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He encouraged other states to adopt similar policies, highlighting that such measures contribute to a more disciplined and value-driven educational environment that prioritises academic focus over extravagant celebrations.
He stressed that these policies would help to build a system rooted in hard work, resilience, and perseverance.
