The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ephraim Usman Gar, has commissioned 30 three-seater classroom desks constructed and donated to Government College Pankshin by the leadership of the Pankshin Old Boys Association (POBA).
The 30 three-seater classroom desks are constructed with the capacity for four students to sit comfortably; as a result, 120 students will benefit from the 30 new desks constructed by the POBA leadership.
Hon. Ephraim Usman Gar, who is also an old boy of the school and a member of the Presidential Set of ’95, while commissioning the projects at Government College Pankshin on Sunday, also paid one term’s school fees for 97 indigenous students of the school.
“As a mark of honour to this school that was my foundation, and also to celebrate you all, students, and to encourage you — I was once like you — I will pay the school fees of all the 97 indigene students. The Principal will prepare their receipts before the school closes so that their parents will focus on other things and not school fees for the next term again. I am aware that other students here are exchange students; I will donate one cow for them to eat and enjoy before they go back for the break.”
Hon. Gar, who was accompanied by the Chairman of Kanam Local Government, Hon. Salihu Ayuba Musa, and the former Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Yahaya Kanam, challenged the students to read hard and believe in themselves, as some of them will become Commissioners, Ministers, Senators, Governors and Presidents, saying they should also be good ambassadors of the school in learning and character.
He commended the POBA leadership under the National President, Mr. Kenzy Ngupar, for initiating projects that will complement government efforts and have a direct impact on the students.
He applauded all the national leadership and particularly appreciated Mr. Kenzy Ngupar for being a good ambassador of POBA Set ’95 and for performing very well as President.
The Commissioner, who was full of joy at the POBA achievement and recalling the sweet memories of his educational foundation at Government College Pankshin, formerly known as Government Craft School Pankshin, also directed the immediate construction of an additional 60 three-seater desks to be delivered within three weeks to the school to support the efforts of the POBA leadership.
The Commissioner of Education, Plateau State, Prof. Gloria Karuri, represented by the Regional Director of Education, Mr. Markus Kwatpan, appreciated the intervention of the POBA leadership in donating the desks and other numerous projects to the school.
He tasked the management of the school and the students to ensure the protection of all properties with care for others who will come and make use of them.
The National President of POBA, Mr. Kenzy Ngupar, during his speech, said POBA has, under his leadership, donated the 30 three-seater desks and 106 bunk beds earlier presented to the school, in addition to over 28 projects donated by the POBA leadership and various sets to impact the school.
He also announced the upgrade of the allowance of three security personnel and the deposit of ten months’ salaries ahead.
Mr. Ngupar commended the good job done by the POBA Project Committee under the leadership of Mr. Chingle Kandi, Set ’94, saying all the projects executed were done to standard.
The National President also commended the entire POBA Excos for working as a team to achieve great development for the alma mater, saying all the national leadership have been working as a team, with everyone contributing his effort towards the great achievement so far. He promised that even after his tenure as President, he will continue to support and play an advisory role for the success of POBA.
The Principal of Government College Pankshin, Mr. Simon Dechi, and the Pankshin Chapter Chairman of POBA, Chief Joel Mafwil, Senior Squeezer, Set ’79, both commended the great achievement of the Kenzy Ngupar leadership for performing well as POBA officials.
They described the projects so far recorded as legacies that will stand the test of time.
The staff and students of GCP were all on ground with placards carrying various inscriptions appreciating POBA for the various interventions in the school.
The event witnessed the presence of all the national leaders of POBA and great POBA members, including Seniors Javan Mason, Set ’84, Rev. Goddy Yeluk, Set ’84, and Audu Idi, Set ’84, amongst other well-wishers.
Signed:
Pam Musa
POBA National Publicity Secretary
