Attai Audu, Jos
The Pankshin Old Boys Association (POBA) has called on Plateau state government to intervene on the state of its Alma-mater which the leadership of POBA said has become as a sorry sight.
The Association leadership made this call during a courtesy call on the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ephraim Usman at the weekend in Jos.
Mr Reuben Mallah, National Treasurer of the Association and leader of the delegation stressed the need for government’s intervention on the School which he said once catered for the Technical development of the entire Northern region.
He added that the school was founded to build technical skills and craftsmanship in its students but that is no longer the case as most of the equipments are non functional due to damage.
“Government College Pankshin and Government Technical College Bukuru were the two technical schools in the whole of the North that all the northern states were sending their children to come and acquire skills.
“But today, the school is in a very sorry state, I remember the day set 87 went to visit the school, we were all in tears because when we saw the metal workshop, and the wood workshop it is almost non existent.
“The School used to be known as Craft School, we used to have a very well equipped metal workshop, wood workshop and other technical equipments, we never carried anything outside the school for repairs, we were equipped to fix them.
“So we are sincerely calling on government, both the State and the Federal government to come to our aid to help us revamp and restore the lost glory of Government College Pankshin” he said.
Mr Ephraim Sule, member of the 1995 set of the School while responding, noted with disdain that each time he had to drive past the school, he does so with pain in his heart due to the current situation of the school.
He noted that though the current administration had expressed willingness to continue on some abandoned legacy projects of the past administration, it would not include projects that are white elephant projects.
He urged the Association to unite in its effort to get tangible solutions and revive the school to it’s old glory.
“His Excellency has promised to finish certain abandoned projects, though with a caveat, he said white elephant projects, I dont know if this falls within the category he is describing.
“That road is on the way to my village and each time I drive past it, I feel pain in my heart because of the state of the abandoned project, I will be glad if that project is completed, because each time I look at the school instead of me being happy, I will be angry.
“So I want us to join our heads together, the National POBA, have a courtesy visit to his Excellency and beg him to reason with the school, even though I also will not relent, I will also take it as a project to ensure that it is completed, if not, it is a complete defeat on us “he said.
Earlier, the National Association of Plateau Students (NAPS )led by its President Jerry Nantin and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) led by the State Chairman Mr Andy Udah
paid courtesy visit on the Commissioner of Ministry for Local Goverment and Chieftaincy Affairs to express their solidarity and seeking its collaboration.
The Plateau state state students union leader Comrade Jerry Samson Nantim calls for review of the state bursary allowance from it’s present sum of five thousand naira to appreciable sum that could help to Carter for the needs of the state students in higher Institution of learning.
He equally announced during the visit that his students body has planned to organize leadership summit in the state next month of November in Jos, the Plateau state capital.
Similarly, the ANAN team leader announced during the visit that ANAN University has introduced Masters and PHD Programs and growing in Wisdom and knowledge.
Responding, the state Commissioner for Local Goverment and Chieftaincy Affairs promised that the government of Governor Mutfwang which is a people’s friendly Government would collaborate and partner with them to achieve their goals.
He particularly promised the students union leaders that Goverment Mutfwang Government will fulfill it’s promise soon to the students to review upward their bursary allowances.
Oracle Reporters 