Students Decry Ban On Signing-Out Parties

Final-year students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, have expressed disappointment over the suspension of signing-out parties and other celebratory activities by the university management.

The students who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday said they had looked forward to celebrating the completion of their academic programmes but were disappointed by the sudden decision.

The university management had announced the suspension in a circular signed by the registrar, Dr Grace Olubunmi Babalola, citing prevailing security concerns and the need to safeguard lives and property within the university community.

Babalola said the directive was issued by the vice chancellor on behalf of the Senate and would take immediate effect, pending further notice.

She said, “The vice chancellor, on behalf of the Senate, has directed that, in view of prevailing security concerns and the need to safeguard lives and property within the university community, all signing-out ceremonies and related celebratory activities on campus are hereby suspended with immediate effect and pending further notice.”

‎The directive prohibits students from organising, hosting or participating in signing-out parties, gatherings, processions and other celebrations associated with the completion of academic programmes anywhere on campus.

‎The registrar directed all students, particularly final-year students, to comply strictly with the order, warning that any student or member of the university community who violated it would face disciplinary action in accordance with the institution’s regulations.

Reacting to the development, a final-year student, Akinola Solomon, said he had been looking forward to his signing-out ceremony since gaining admission into the university.

‎Solomon, who said he would write his final examination on November 17, added that he had started saving money for the celebration since the previous semester.

‎”As the last born of my family and the last graduate, my family are also looking forward to celebrating with me. But now the school has suddenly banned signing-out ceremonies. To be honest, I am really not happy with it,” he said.

‎Another final-year student, Simeon Sade, also expressed disappointment, questioning why the ban was introduced when her set was about to complete its academic programme.

‎Sade argued that the university could have introduced precautionary measures rather than imposing a total ban on the celebrations.

‎‎”They said they are banning it because of security, but there is no security crisis in our school. Instead of totally banning it, they could have ordered caution. I am not happy because I have so much looking forward to celebrating my graduation, but I don’t have a choice,” she said.

‎Efforts to get the reaction of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) president, Folagbade Greatness, were unsuccessful, as he neither answered calls nor responded to messages sent to him as at the time of filing this report.