The Ondo State Government has taken steps to rehabilitate and reorient students from Oyemekun Grammar School and Aquinas College, Akure, who were involved in indecent jubilation after completing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination. According to a statement by the Press Officer of the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Bisi Lawani, the rehabilitation program was a collaborative effort between the ministry, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Ondo State Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist Hospital.
The rehabilitation program, which took place during the holiday period, aimed to correct negative behaviors, instill discipline, and promote responsible conduct among the students. State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, described the program as a novel approach, emphasizing that the government opted for counseling and rehabilitation over punitive measures that could negatively impact the students' future. The commissioner assured the students and their parents that their names had been permanently removed from the Black Book and that their WASSCE certificates, previously withheld, would be released.
The indecent jubilation, which went viral on social media, showed students from the two secondary schools engaging in acts such as tearing their uniforms and chanting inappropriate slogans. Following the incident, some students were arrested by the state government and made to undergo sanctions and rehabilitation. The affected students have since completed the rehabilitation process. Commissioner Ajibefun admonished the students to continue behaving responsibly, stating that they represent their families and Nigeria, and that their actions should reflect positively on the country.
The Director of Guidance and Counselling, Continuous Assessment and Evaluation in the ministry, Mrs Olufunke Ademuyiwa, explained that the four-week program covered psycho-education, individual and group counseling, behavioral reflection, and anger management. She noted that the students demonstrated significant positive changes and were already showing a willingness to help other young people make better choices. The students were taken to the Ondo State Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist Hospital and the Correctional Centre in Akure for educational tours and counseling sessions with professionals.
The Ondo State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr Gabriel Folayemi, commended all those who contributed to the success of the rehabilitation program. Represented by the Assistant State Commandant, Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Funmilayo Bamisaye, the commandant urged the students to make responsible choices regarding their actions and the peers they associated with. Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ondo State Command, Oyewole Adedayo, warned the students against engaging in criminal activities that could lead to imprisonment.
Adedayo also emphasized the important role of parents and the home in raising responsible children and adults, advising that parents and guardians must pay close attention to the upbringing and behavior of their children. He noted that some inmates are products of broken homes, which is why it is essential for parents to be involved in their children's lives. The commissioner assured that the ministry would continue to monitor the rehabilitated students to ensure that the positive changes achieved during the program were sustained.
The rehabilitation program is part of the state government's efforts to inculcate discipline, good morals, and responsible behavior in students alongside academic excellence. With the students having completed the program, the government is optimistic that they will continue to make positive choices and become responsible members of society. The incident highlights the need for students to be guided and monitored to ensure they make the right choices, especially during times of celebration and transition.
Key points
- The Ondo State Government has rehabilitated students involved in post-WASSCE jubilation.
- The rehabilitation program aimed to correct negative behaviors and promote responsible conduct.
- The students have completed the rehabilitation process and will have their WASSCE certificates released.
