By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Katsina State Directorate, has convened a community stakeholders’ engagement to address the growing trend of “Marker-Day” or “Sign-out” practices among students, alongside other pressing national issues.
The event, held in federal secretariat hall on 8 September 2025, Katsina, brought together parents, community leaders, security agencies, and civil society organisations to deliberate on the widespread culture of students writing on their clothes, bodies, and school walls to mark graduation. The practice, which is fast spreading across Nigeria, has been described by NOA as undermining respect for education, cultural values, and religion.
Beyond the “Sign-out” debate, discussions also centred on four other key areas: government policies and programmes, the protection of national symbols, community security, and the challenges of flooding.
Speaking at the event, Katsina State NOA Director, Malam Mukhtar Lawal Tsagem, said the agency’s role extends beyond sensitisation to also listening and engaging the public.
“This forum provides citizens the opportunity to raise questions, make suggestions, and contribute ideas, which will be documented and forwarded to policymakers for consideration,” he stated.
He added that the initiative is currently being held across all states, with deliberations compiled and submitted to national leaders for review and implementation.
In his remarks, NOA’s Director of Programmes, Mr. John Bala Asate, explained that the dialogue was necessitated by the gradual erosion of societal values. He highlighted the agency’s five focus areas: public enlightenment on government programmes, disaster risk reduction, national and community security, respect for national symbols, and curbing the “Sign-out” culture in schools.
“The ‘Marker-Day’ practice is not only inappropriate but also a clear disregard for the dignity of education. Government is deeply concerned about this behaviour,” Asate stressed.
He further outlined some of the Federal Government’s initiatives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal. These include the Special Intervention Fund for citizens, the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund for rehabilitating rural schools, Conditional Cash Transfers for vulnerable households, micro-business support schemes such as TraderMoni and EmpowerMoney, as well as student loan schemes under NELFUND.
Representing the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, the District Head of Shinkafi, Turaren Sarkin Katsina Abdurrashid Abubakar, commended NOA’s efforts and urged parents and communities to give the agency maximum support to instil discipline and nurture responsible citizens.
The interactive session featured open dialogue, questions, and recommendations from parents, group representatives, security officials, and other stakeholders, all aimed at strengthening values and social responsibility in Katsina State.
