By Israel Adebiyi 

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Edo State has condemned the rising trend of reckless post-examination celebrations in tertiary institutions following the tragic death of a final-year student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, who reportedly died in a motorcade accident after completing his examinations.

Speaking in Benin City, the Edo State Director of NOA, Barrister Osahon Woghiren, described the incident as “a painful and completely avoidable tragedy” that should force a collective rethink of how students celebrate academic milestones. 

He said the Agency was deeply saddened that a moment of joy and relief for the young undergraduate turned into a fatal crash that cut his life short.

Woghiren noted that the NOA under the leadership of its Director General Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu has repeatedly warned students and school authorities about what he called the “wild singing-out culture,” a trend where students take to highways in loud, reckless convoys and often engage in disorderly behavior under the guise of celebration. According to him, the practice has grown increasingly dangerous and must be confronted decisively.

“This was not just an accident; it was the outcome of a dangerous culture we have been cautioning against for years,” he said. “A celebration should never end in mourning. No level of excitement justifies turning our roads into theatre grounds for risky displays. We must protect our young people from traditions that only put them in harm’s way.”

He called on parents, student leaders, school managements, security agencies and community stakeholders to work with the NOA to end the practice. He stressed that the responsibility for shaping safer behavior among young people must be shared.

“Parents need to speak up. Institutions must enforce stricter rules. Student unions must show leadership. And security agencies must not look away when convoys block roads or endanger other road users,” he added. “If we do not confront this now, we will continue to bury young people whose only offence is trying to celebrate the end of exams.”

The NOA Director urged universities and polytechnics in Edo State to adopt more organised and value-oriented approaches to graduation and sign-out activities, saying there is nothing wrong with celebrating academic achievement, but everything wrong with doing so recklessly.

“There are safer, creative and meaningful ways to mark the end of one’s studies,” he said. “What we must discourage is this growing tradition that glorifies excess and danger. We owe our students the guidance and structure that keep them safe.”

Woghiren extended his condolences to the family of the deceased student and said the Agency stands ready to collaborate with educational institutions to develop awareness programmes that promote responsible conduct on campuses.

“This incident must not be allowed to fade like previous ones,” he said. “Let it be the moment we collectively draw the line. We must act now, because the cost of inaction is too high.”

The student, whose identity had not yet been released at the time of reporting, was said to have died instantly when the motorcade he was part of crashed along a major road in Ekpoma. The police are said to be investigating the incident.

The NOA reiterated its commitment to championing behavioural change and fostering a culture of safety and responsibility among young people in Edo State.