Niger State House of Assembly has passed a motion urging Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to issue an executive order banning the celebration of Marker’s Day/Sign Out in all secondary and tertiary institutions (public and private) in the state.
The House took the decision following a motion moved by the member representing Tafa constituency, Hon. Muhammad Sani Idris, who highlighted the negative consequences of such celebrations.
Hon. Idris claimed that such events have been marred by unruly behaviours, rising incidents of misconduct, and immoral activities, which could undermine the state’s educational system, which aims to promote the holistic development of students’ intellect.
Idris explained that the “ongoing trend of signing out from schools, which is presumably intended to be a celebration by final-year students, has recently been characterised by unruly behaviour and misconduct.”
Other lawmakers unanimously supported the motion, which they described as a timely decision given the public’s increasing outcry over the issue.
The deputy speaker, Hon. Afiniki Dauda, who presided over the plenary, assured the House that she will follow up with the state governor as well as the State Ministry of Education to ensure immediate enforcement of the ban.
Meanwhile, the House has passed a Private Member Bill to amend the law establishing the Minna Institute of Technology and Innovation.
The House said the bill’s passing was aimed at aligning the principal law with present-day demands, industry trends, and institutional realities.
