By Blessing Odega
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has organised an inter-schools parade competition for primary and secondary schools in Pankshin Local Government, to promote peace and unity in Plateau.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 27 schools comprised of 13 Primary and 14 secondary schools participated in the competition held at Government Model Secondary School Pankshin on Monday.
The FRSC Pankshin Unit Commander, Chief Route Commander Abdulahi Maikasuwa, said that the competition was aimed at eroding the trauma and fear associated with the recent attacks and crises in some parts of Plateau.
Maikasuwa commended the participants for their display of talents, saying that the purpose for the competition had been achieved seeing love, unity and enthusiasm displayed.
“FRSC is satisfied today seeing the smiles and laughter, the love, unity and enthusiasm displayed by participating schools.
“This is the dream of every patriotic citizens to see that we are doing something good together rather than fighting ourselves and destroying ourselves over flimsy issues,” he said.
The unit commander also commended the Public Education Department of the Command under Chief Inspector Felix Badung, for mooting the idea for the event.
In her remarks, Dr Christiana Zumyil, The provost, Federal College of Education (FCE), Pankshin, Dr Christiana Zumyil, commended FRSC for the initiative, which she described as apt and encouraging.
Zumyil said that the competition was spirit-lifting and that it could help to groom the youths for military and paramilitary engagement.
“This parade competition will go along way in preparing the pupils and students for the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) and eventually joining the military to serve the nation, ” she said.
Also, the traditional ruler in the area, Nde Jika Ngolit, the Ngolong Ngas, appreciated the FRSC and the participating schools in the competition.
Represented by the Oba Yoruba pankshin/kanke/kanam, Chief Enoch Adelola, the Ngolong Ngas advocated for the competition to be made an annual event.
NAN reports that NICOWA Primary School, Pankshin, emerged winner of the competition in the primary school category, while Solid Foundation School Pankshin and Fatima Primary School, Pankshin emerged first and second runners up respectively.
For the secondary school category, Vel Community Secondary School emerged winner, with Langkuk Memorial Secondary School and Government Day Secondary School, Pankshin, emerging as first and second runners up respectively. NAN
