As part of the 2025 Children’s Day celebration and in commemoration of the second anniversary of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration, the Pantu Brothers Initiative, Courtesy Mr. Yari Kumchi, has donated branded exercise books to schools across Mangu Local Government Area.
The benefiting schools include Mwanghavul Community Secondary School, Kerang; LEA Primary School, Fwangkwak; Nyemlighit Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Mangun; and Government Secondary School, Ampang West.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Mr. Panmun Silas Pantu, representing the Pantu Brothers, emphasized the initiative’s deeper meaning.
“This gesture is more than just about stationery — these books represent unity, hope, and support in a time when many families are grappling with economic hardship,” he said.
He added that the books serve as educational palliatives, easing parents’ financial burdens while promoting learning among students.
The books are branded with the images of the Plateau State Governor and Deputy and include a unifying message titled “The Plateau Anthem,” encouraging peace and brotherhood across ethnic and religious lines.
“It is a declaration that peace, brotherhood, and collective progress are the pillars upon which our future must be built,” Pantu stated.
Mr. Yari Kumchi was commended for his continuous investment in youth development. According to Pantu, Kumchi’s commitment to youth empowerment has created opportunities for the next generation to lead meaningfully.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the community, His Royal Highness, Miskhagham Philemon Mutang, thanked the donors and noted that MCSS Kerang remains the only Mwaghavul-owned school.
“I encourage all our students to be serious with their education so they can uplift the good image of the Mwaghavul nation,” he said.
The Executive Chairman of Mangu LGA, Hon. Mwolpun Emmanuel Bala, represented by the Council Secretary, described the donation as historic. He stressed the impact such support brings, especially in a school whose alumni now serve in various sectors.
“I want to appreciate the donor of this exercise book, Honorable Yari Kumchi, who has deemed it fit to assist the Mwaghavul nation, not just Kerang people,” the chairman’s representative added.
Education Secretary, Mrs. Jennifer Bamtu, an alumna of MCSS Kerang, thanked the sponsors and urged more community support.
“May God bless you for intervening… education sponsoring is for everybody — it’s not just government responsibility alone,” she stated.
Comrade Tankat Joseph Dawur, a proprietor and former NAPSS President, described the donation as timely and aligned with the governor’s development slogan, “the time is now.” He called for continued expansion of the initiative.
PTA Chairman, Mr. Mbang Sunday, expressed deep gratitude to the donors, describing Kumchi as a selfless son of the soil whose legacy stands out in Kerang’s history.
Head Boy and Head Girl of GSS Ampang West, Joseph Jerry Peter and Yatep Vera Gaius, thanked the donors on behalf of the students, praying for God’s blessings and urging them to continue the good work.
The event, powered by the Pantu Brothers and Jacob Tonging, was more than a donation—it served as a powerful call for unity, learning, and renewed hope for a stronger and better Plateau.
As the project continues to inspire hope, we call on government and relevant stakeholders to key into this noble idea and support its expansion across the state.
The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in Abia State, Doris Ogala, has lambasted the imposition of N150m charges on guber candidates for the placement of campaign billboards in the state.
In a video sighted on X, Ogala said she does not have a godfather who ‘has stolen government funds’ to pay such an amount of money for billboard display.
DAILY POST recalls that the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency, ABSSAA, placed N200 million and N150 million fees on all 2027 presidential candidates and governorship candidates who wish to display their political campaign structures in the State advertisement space.
Reacting, Ogala said, “People are dying in the hospital. Workers are dying. Their salaries have not been paid, and you are imposing 150 million naira for a candidate. Where will I get the money from?
“Do I have a godfather who has stolen government funds? I should pay 150 million naira. I dare anybody to touch my billboard. All of us will campaign without a billboard in this state.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that every valid vote will count in the 2027 general elections, promising to conduct a credible process that reflects the will of the people.
The assurance was given on Thursday by the Head of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC Kwara State, Dr Adejumo Peter, during a seminar organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin.
Speaking at the event, Dr Peter said the electoral body would strictly follow its rules and procedures to ensure that the elections are free, fair and based on the principle of one person, one vote.
“INEC in Kwara will follow the rules and procedures as laid down by our commission. We will ensure that the elections are done on a one-man, one-vote basis. At the end of the exercise, the outcome of the elections will reflect the will of the people,” he said.
He also dismissed the belief that collecting or hoarding Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) could influence election results, saying technological improvements had made such tactics ineffective.
“INEC has done a lot so that people cannot use another person’s PVC to vote in an election. That is why politicians have resorted to vote-buying. Many of them are still living in the past because stockpiling PVCs cannot guarantee electoral victory,” he said.
The INEC official urged political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns instead of violence.
He advised them to present their programmes to voters and allow the electorate to make informed choices.
“Political parties and their candidates should obey the rules, focus on selling their manifestoes to voters and avoid any form of violence before, during and after the elections. Elections should be conducted peacefully, and everyone should respect the outcome,” he said.
Also speaking at the seminar, the Head of INEC’s Legal Unit in Kwara State, Atata Abdulfatai, described the amended Electoral Act 2026 as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, the new law introduces reforms aimed at improving transparency, promoting internal democracy within political parties, and expanding the use of technology in elections.