A storm of reactions has trailed Anambra State Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s latest directive banning Christmas parties and graduation ceremonies in schools across the state, even as his son, Osondu Soludo, posted photos and videos of himself in swimwear during a vacation abroad.
Governor Soludo made the announcement on Friday during an All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) campaign rally in Awka North ahead of the November 8 governorship election. He explained that the decision was meant to ease the financial strain on parents and guardians, whom he said were being forced into needless expenses through school activities.
According to the governor, the ban is part of his administration’s effort to make education more equitable and affordable for every family in Anambra. “We have set new standards to ensure that no child is denied learning because of poverty. Schools must stop imposing unnecessary costs on parents,” he said.
Soludo specifically prohibited schools from using textbooks that require students to write in them, arguing that such books force parents to buy new ones yearly instead of passing them down to younger siblings. He also condemned the practice of organizing elaborate graduation ceremonies for pupils moving from one class to another, describing them as exploitative.
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“Parents should not be made to pay for Christmas parties or graduation gowns. These events place too much pressure on struggling families,” the governor warned.
He further announced that the government would begin strict enforcement of the directive, adding that schools found violating the order would be sealed. “Any school that defies this policy will be shut down. You can go to court if you wish, we will meet there,” he declared.
While the governor’s announcement drew mixed reactions across the state, online outrage grew after his son, Osondu, shared photos and videos from a beach vacation abroad, sparking criticism from social media users who accused the governor of hypocrisy.
Many Nigerians questioned why Soludo’s administration was cutting down on simple end-of-year celebrations for schoolchildren while his family appeared to be living in luxury overseas. Critics argued that the move exposed a disconnect between the governor’s austerity policies at home and his family’s lifestyle abroad.
Soludo, however, maintains that his reforms are necessary to realign priorities in the education sector and to ensure that no parent is excluded due to financial hardship. He reiterated his commitment to providing “quality, accessible, and affordable education for every child in Anambra State.”
