Ondo State Intervenes: Students in Wild Post-WASSCE Jubilation Undergo Reorientation

The Ondo State Government has concluded a rehabilitation and reorientation program for a group of students from Oyemekun Grammar School and Aquinas College in Akure. These students had faced arrest following their involvement in an incident of unrestrained and inappropriate jubilation after completing their final West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) papers. This development was confirmed on Tuesday through a statement released by Bisi Lawani, the Press Officer for the state’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

The statement detailed that the correctional initiative, which took place during the recent school holiday, was a collaborative effort. It involved the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Ondo State Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist Hospital.

Commenting on the program, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, emphasized its objective. He stated that the rehabilitation aimed to rectify undesirable conduct, instill proper discipline and responsible actions, and ensure the students grasped the repercussions of behaviors that could jeopardize public safety and disturb societal peace. Professor Ajibefun lauded the rehabilitation approach as innovative, highlighting the government’s deliberate decision to employ counselling and reorientation rather than punitive measures that might negatively impact the students’ future prospects.

He further reassured the students and their families that their names had been permanently expunged from the “Black Book” and that their WASSCE certificates, which had previously been withheld, would now be released. Addressing the students, the commissioner remarked, “What you have done has been totally forgiven because you have undergone the desired change, so, we want you to continue to behave in a responsible way. Anywhere you find yourself, you are representing your family; you are representing Nigeria. Please behave well so that we can continue to be proud of you.” He added that this move "reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to inculcating discipline, good morals and responsible behaviour in students alongside academic excellence.”

Reports from several months ago indicated that students from these two secondary schools featured in a viral video. The footage depicted them on the streets, celebrating the completion of their final exams by engaging in indecent acts, including tearing their uniforms and chanting offensive slogans. Following this incident, some of the students were apprehended by the state authorities and mandated to undergo sanctions and a rehabilitation process. The affected students have now successfully completed this rehabilitation.

The commissioner affirmed that the ministry would maintain oversight of the rehabilitated students to ensure the positive transformations achieved during the program are sustained. Mrs. Olufunke Ademuyiwa, the Director of Guidance and Counselling, Continuous Assessment and Evaluation within the ministry, elaborated on the four-week curriculum. She noted it encompassed psycho-education, individual and group counselling, behavioral reflection exercises, and anger management techniques. According to her, the students have exhibited considerable positive changes and are now eager to guide other young individuals towards making better choices. “The students were taken to the Ondo State Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist Hospital and the Correctional Centre in Akure for educational tours and counselling sessions with professionals,” she confirmed.

In his address, Mr. Gabriel Folayemi, the Ondo State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, extended appreciation to all contributors to the program’s success. Represented by Assistant State Commandant, Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Funmilayo Bamisaye, he advised the students to make prudent decisions concerning their actions and choice of associates.

Similarly, Oyewole Adedayo, the Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ondo State Command, cautioned the students against involvement in criminal activities that could lead to incarceration. He also urged teachers to enhance their supervision of students and underscored the vital role of parents and the home environment in nurturing responsible children and adults. Adedayo stressed, “Some inmates are products of broken homes, so that is why it is important for parents and guardians must pay close attention to the upbringing and behaviour of their children.”