The Niger State House of Assembly has urged Governor Umaru Bago to issue an executive order prohibiting the celebration of Markers’ Day and sign-out activities in all public and private secondary and tertiary institutions across the state.
The resolution stemmed from a motion by Muhammad Idris, the member representing Tafa Constituency, who condemned the negative consequences linked to such celebrations.
Idris explained that what began as a harmless farewell gesture by graduating students has now descended into unruly behaviour, increased misconduct, and immoral acts. He cautioned that this trend endangers the moral and intellectual development the state’s educational system aims to uphold.
“The current practice of signing out from schools, which final-year students presumably intend as a celebration, has recently been marked by disorderly conduct and misconduct,” Idris told fellow lawmakers.
The motion won unanimous backing from other members, who described it as a timely response to growing public concern.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker Afiniki Dauda pledged to work with the governor and the Ministry of Education to ensure the swift enforcement of the ban.
In a separate development, the House passed a Private Member’s Bill amending the law establishing the Minna Institute of Technology and Innovation. Lawmakers stated that the amendment was essential to align the institution’s governing law with current industry demands, modern educational needs, and institutional realities.