The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has restated committed to working with state governments, schools, and parents to promote a culture prioritising discipline, modesty, and responsible upbringing among children.
In a statement signed by the Agency's Director of Communication and Media, Bala Musa, the NOA Director General Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu commended the Imo State Government for its recent decision to ban lavish graduation parties for pupils in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools.
The NOA DG described the decision as a timely step toward curbing excesses and promoting responsible value reorientation among young learners.
He said the trend fosters unrealistic expectations of instant reward, encourages a culture of extravagance, and places undue financial pressure on parents, who are often compelled to fund what he described as a wasteful and socially unproductive practice.
Issa-Onilu emphasised that early exposure to such lavish celebrations distorts the values of hard work, humility, and delayed gratification, which are essential for personal growth and national development.
He added that the agency recently unveiled a campaign against sign out extreme practises and the ban by the state aligns with the general-purpose of the campaign.
The DG also encouraged other states to adopt similar policies, noting that such measures foster a more disciplined and value-driven education system, rooted in hard work, resilience, and perseverance.