ONDO GOVT REHABILITATES STUDENTS INVOLVED IN SIGN-OUT-RELATED DISTURBANCES

-removes names from Black Book, releases withheld WASSCE Certificates

The Ondo State Government has rehabilitated and reoriented students of Oyemekun Grammar School and Aquinas College who were involved in activities that disrupted public peace during the recent end-of-school “sign-out” celebrations after the last West African Senior Secondary School Examination.

The intervention, which was carried out during the holiday period, was organised by the Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Ondo State Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist Hospital.

The initiative was aimed at correcting negative behaviours, instilling discipline and responsible conduct, and helping the students understand the consequences of actions capable of threatening public safety and disrupting peace in society.

Speaking at the event held at the Conference Room of the Ministry, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government to inculcating discipline, good morals and responsible behaviour in students alongside academic excellence.

He described the rehabilitation programme as a novel approach, stressing that the government deliberately chose counselling and rehabilitation rather than punitive measures that could negatively affect the future of the students.

Ajibefun assured the students and their parents that their names had been permanently removed from the Black Book, adding that their WASSCE certificates, which had previously been withheld, would also be released.

His words: “What you have done has been totally forgiven because you have undergone the desired change, so we want you to continue to behave responsibly. 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.”

The Commissioner assured that the Ministry would continue to monitor the rehabilitated students to ensure that the positive changes achieved during the programme were sustained.

He also commended officials of the Ministry and the various law enforcement and professional agencies that contributed to the success of the rehabilitation programme.

Giving an overview of the programme, the Director of Guidance and Counselling, Continuous Assessment and Evaluation in the Ministry, Mrs Olufunke Ademuyiwa, commended the Commissioner for adopting rehabilitation and counselling rather than harsh measures that could prove counterproductive.

Ademuyiwa disclosed that the four-week programme covered psycho-education, individual and group counselling, behavioural reflection and anger management.

She said the students had demonstrated significant positive changes and were already showing a willingness to help other young people make better choices.

According to her, 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.

Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ondo State Command, CSC Oyewole Adedayo, warned the students against engaging in criminal activities that could lead to imprisonment.

He urged teachers to strengthen their monitoring of students, while emphasising the important role of parents and the home in raising responsible children and adults.

Adedayo noted that some inmates were products of broken homes, stressing that parents and guardians must pay close attention to the upbringing and behaviour of their children.

The Ondo State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, CN Gabriel Folayemi, commended all those who contributed to the success of the rehabilitation programme.

Represented by the Assistant State Commandant, Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation, CSN Funmilayo Bamisaye, he reminded the students that they had the power to make responsible choices regarding their actions and the peers they associated with, while also recommending the establishment of a platform where young people exhibiting similar behavioural traits could receive continuous mentoring as a preventive measure.

The Chief Medical Director of the Ondo State Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist Hospital, Akure, Dr Sunday Sajo, described the rehabilitation initiative as a welcome development and urged the government to sustain it. He advised the students to maintain close relationships with responsible older people who could provide guidance and mentorship.

Also speaking, Magistrate Damilola Sekoni recommended that schools should regularly organise orientation and counselling programmes for students.

He further cautioned the rehabilitated students against repeating the offences that led to their participation in the programme.

The principals of the affected schools expressed appreciation to the State Government for the initiative and urged the students to uphold good behaviour and become positive examples to their peers.

Bisi Lawani
Ministry of Education, Science & Technology