The Ondo State Government has completed the rehabilitation and reorientation of students of Oyemekun Grammar School and Aquinas College, Akure, who were involved in a widely criticised celebration after completing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Press Officer of the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Bisi Lawani.
According to the statement, the four-week rehabilitation programme was organised during the holiday period by the ministry in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Ondo State Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist Hospital.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the programme was designed to correct negative behaviour, promote discipline and responsible conduct, and help the students understand the consequences of actions capable of threatening public safety and disrupting social order.
Ajibefun described the initiative as a novel approach, explaining that the government deliberately chose counselling and rehabilitation rather than punitive measures that could adversely affect the students’ future.
He assured the students and their parents that their names had been permanently removed from the Black Book and that their previously withheld WASSCE certificates would be released.
“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,” the commissioner said.
He added that the initiative reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting discipline, good morals and responsible behaviour among students alongside academic excellence.
The students had previously featured in a viral video showing them celebrating on the streets after completing their final examination papers. Some of the reported activities included tearing their school uniforms and chanting inappropriate slogans.
Following the incident, some of the students were taken into custody and subjected to sanctions and rehabilitation.
According to the ministry, all the affected students have now completed the rehabilitation programme.
The Director of Guidance and Counselling, Continuous Assessment and Evaluation in the ministry, Mrs Olufunke Ademuyiwa, said the programme focused on psycho-education, individual and group counselling, behavioural reflection and anger management.
She said the students demonstrated significant positive changes during the programme and had shown willingness to encourage other young people to 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 counselling sessions with professionals,” Ademuyiwa stated.
The Ondo State Commandant of the NDLEA, Gabriel Folayemi, represented by the Assistant State Commandant, Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Funmilayo Bamisaye, commended those involved in the initiative.
He urged the students to make responsible choices concerning their conduct and the company they keep.
Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ondo State Command, Oyewole Adedayo, warned the students against criminal activities that could result in imprisonment.
Adedayo also called on teachers to strengthen their monitoring of students and stressed the important role parents and guardians play in shaping the behaviour and future of their children.
“Some inmates are products of broken homes, so that is why it is important for parents and guardians to pay close attention to the upbringing and behaviour of their children,” he said.
The ministry said it would continue to monitor the rehabilitated students to ensure that the behavioural improvements achieved during the programme are sustained.
