NEDC partners Kolmarg foundation, rolls out free eye treatment in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) in collaboration with an International NGO known as, Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, has provided free eye screening, free eye glasses and treatment to 600 Tarabans in the six local government areas of the State.

The free eye health services are to assist in detecting vision problem that may affect the people's sight, therefore, hindering their daily business.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony of the programme in Jalingo, the state capital, the Managing Director of NEDC, Muhammed Alkali, said the program, which is in line with the mandate of the Commission, was aimed at providing succour to visually impaired persons in the underserved communities of the state, especially at this critical time when people are passing through lots of challenges.

Represented by the Taraba State coordinator of the commission, Bashir Hammanjoda, the MD reiterated the commitment of NEDC to providing free eye care services to bridge the gap in Vision health across the six states of the zone.

He noted that various statistics have shown that an estimated population of 1.3 million persons were blind as at 2020 and the greatest proportion of those people were actually from the northern part of the country which include Taraba State.

Hence, the program was build up to provide equitable and accessible free eye care for the underserved communities of the region.

Alkali noted that the program which is being run simultaneously across the six states of the zone, was aimed at conducting cataract surgeries, minor surgeries, and trichiasis caused by glaucoma, even as free eyes glasses would also be distributed free to deserving patients across three zones of each of the states.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to adhere strictly to the various prescriptions given them by the experts, reiterating that the commission would continue with its mandate of empowering communities and transforming lives to create a world where clear vision would become fundamental right for all manner of persons irrespective of their economic or social status.

Also speaking, the coordinator of the program in Taraba State, Prof Olukorede Adenuga, disclosed that two Local Government Areas, were earmarked in each of the three zones of the state for the exercise.

"In the Northern part of the state, we shall be in Jalingo and Yorro Local Government Areas. In Central part we will camp in Sardauna and Gassol LGAs while in the Southern part of the state, we will be in Wukari and Ibi LGAs respectively.

"Aside screening of thousands of people, We shall be conducting 600 cataract surgeries, 20 minor surgeries and trichiasis caused by glaucoma in each of our camps. We have prepared for 600 glasses to be dispensed free of charge to patients in each of the LGAs, even as we shall be treating diabetic eye diseases and a lot of other common eye challenges in these rural areas". He said.

The optometrist who identified glaucoma as the leading cause of blindness, urged citizens of the state to come up en mass for check up, explaining that glaucoma can not be treated but if detected early, the person's sight could be preserved and the vision restored.

Earlier in their separate good will messages at the occasion, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Center Jalingo, Dr. Aisha Shehu Adamu who was represented by the Head of Clinical Services, Joseph Kuni and the Emir of Muri Abbas Njida, represented by his secretary, Alhaji Usman Gassol, all appreciated the NEDC and Kolmarg foundation for taking up the bold step to reach out to people at grass root at such critical time with such remarkable succour.

Don't depend on white collar jobs -NYSC Coordinator tells corps members in taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Taraba State Coordinator of the National Youths Service Corp (NYSC), Mr Ella Aji Williams has charged corps members posted to serve in Taraba State to adhere on the skills learnt to avoid looking for white collar jobs after their service year.

Mr Ella disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the 2024 batch 'C' stream 1 orientation course, held at the NYSC permanent camp in Ardo-kola local government area of the State.

He urged them to take the lectures on entrepreneurial skills they would be brought seriously and be self employed.

"You are all aware that the white collar jobs are not available like before. So, I don't want you to roam about and look for jobs that are not available after your service year.

"I charge you to stay away from acts that are inimical to the cherished image and ideals of the scheme. Always remember our motto, which is Service and humility. This will help you to be in the right frame of mind as you begin to contribute to the development of the country.

"It is expected that you will make painstaking efforts to learn, understand and respect the ways, cultures, and traditions of the people of your host communities. Feel free to relate with them without fear or hindrance. Respect their cultures, norms, and traditions as you begin to integrate with them in your host community", he said.

CSO decry state of Primary Health Care Centers in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo.

The Association of Civil Society organizations in malaria control, immunization and nutrition (ACOMIN), on Tuesday decried the the poor state of primary health care facilities across Taraba state.

Alhj. Tanko Danburam, Taraba state ACOMIN chairman noted during a press briefing in Jalingo, on GC7 Community Led Monitoring Project for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria that a standard health care facility is the foundation for a thriving society to achieve the pursue for healthy leaving.

He disclosed that PHCCs & PHCs buildings mostly in Lau, Gassol, Bali and Kurmi local government were in poor state that requires urgent attention for better service delivery.

"PHC facilities in some local government especially, Lau, Gassol, Bali and Kurmi local are in poor state and not healthy for patients. We appeal to the state government to give urgent attention to the facilities to save the health of the people.

He urge both the private organization, mass media, and communities to increase investment in upgrading and maintenance of these much-needed facilities.

"The Garin Magaji PHCC and 1st Referral Hospital in Lau, the health post in Garba Cheda and Kwalbati Mairuwa, both in Lau, and Bali local government areas, the Gunduma Health Clinic in Kurmi LGA as well as Koppi Health Post in Gassol local government are in bad state that is no longer healthy for patients". He decried.

The ACOMIN state chairman also expressed worry that the facilities suffered consistent power outage, non availability and inadequate functional medical devices, and call on governor Agbu Kefas to wade into the situation for a better healthy leaving of the citizens especially the locals.

Governor Agbu Kefas Approves Funds for Grain Purchase to Combat Hunger in Taraba State

 

By Thomas Samuel 

Governor Agbu Kefas has approved funds for the purchasing and storage of grains as part of efforts to combat hunger in the state.

The Taraba State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security Nicholas Oliver Nemessan made the disclosure when the state chapter of the Nigeria Women Multi-purpose Cooperative Federation Alliance presented a distinguish leadership award to him.

The commissioner said drawing from lessons learned last year, the governor desire to provide a palliative measure by reselling the grains at a subsidised rate to Tarabans.

He said the governor has been supportive to women organizations through his agricultural interventions of which the Nigeria Women Multi-purpose Cooperative Federation Alliance was a major beneficiary.

Earlier, the president of the Nigeria Women Multi-purpose Cooperative Federation Alliance Deborah Isa said they were in the office of the commissioner to congratulate him on his appointment and to present an award to him.

She mentioned some of the achievements of the commissioner to include support to small scale farmers with farming inputs and encouraging women groups to venture into agro business.

Deborah Isa said the association she leads supports women with interest free loans to start or scale up their businesses, the gesture she said has empowered women to be self reliant.

Commenting, Shehu Abubakar a member of the TSBS listner's club and the former chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria Tanko Bobo Andemi all commended the commissioner for his missionary leadership and advised Tarabans to support the meaningful initiatives of Governor Agbu Kefas.

Gov Kefas tasks corps members on jobs, wealth creation for teaming youths in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

    The Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu kefas has on Friday tasked the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) posted to serve in the State to creating wealth through Entrepreneurship.

     Kefas disclosed this during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2024 batch 'C' stream 1 set, deployed to Taraba State for the one-year mandatory national service at the NYSC orientation camp in Sibere, Ardo-kola local government area of the State.

    Represented by the Chief of Staff government house, , Dr jeji Williams, Kefas urged the newly sworn-in corps members to participate in all the activities in the camp to have a knowledge of any given skills to be safe-employ after their service year and as well train others.

   "The Moving Forward policy initiative of the State Government is on course and has started yielding dividends in all the vital sectors of the state. We have made painstaking efforts to rejuvenate some of the private and public businesses and job-creating enterprises in the state. This move is geared towards providing them with the needed support to produce more and create wealth and jobs for our teeming youths.

     "Tere is no gainsaying the fact that the youths play a pivotal role in the growth of any Nation. I must add that we recognize this very fact in the state. We have made giant strides in this respect by incorporating a lot of youths into our administration. We enjoin you all to partner with them to galvanize ideas on how to play a role and contribute to the development of the Educational, Agricultural, Healthcare, Tech and ICT, Environmental Sanitation, Green and Clean Energy, and Tourism sectors of the state's economy", he said.

     Earlier, Taraba State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Ella Aji Williams noted that the orientation exercise would provide them with the opportunity to learn vocational skills and set up business of their own instead of searching for jobs after they one-year national service.

The coordinator commended the State Governor, Dr Agbu kefas for his continuous assistance to the NYSC scheme in the State.

    "I consider it important to remind you that the orientation course encompasses Para-military Drills, Socials, Sanitation, Lectures, Sports, and noble self-developing Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programs amongst others. You are required to actively participate in the scheduled programs of the orientation course as it would increasingly prepare and equip you physically and mentally to face the rigor and challenges of the service year" he said.

Four killed in fresh farmer/Herder's clash in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

No fewer than four persons have been reported dead following a fresh conflict that erupted between herders and farmers in Karim-Lamido LGA of Taraba State.

The violence which occurred in Bambur community of the council, was reported to have started on Thursday after a heated argument over farmland escalated, resulting in fatalities and injuries of varying degrees.

Confirming the incident, the council chairman, Bitrus Danjos, stated that measures have been implemented to prevent further loss of lives and property.

He disclosed that security personnel have been deployed to the affected areas to restore normalcy.

"When the issue arose, the council acted swiftly by collaborating with security agencies to bring the situation under control," Danjos said. 

Though he could not give the exact figure of those who sustained injuries, he confirmed that those injured are currently receiving medical attention at Bambur General Hospital and Zailani Dispensary.

He urged the warring parties to embrace peace, assuring the community that efforts are ongoing to resolve the matter amicably through dialogue and other measures.

"The council is committed to ensuring a peaceful resolution and has taken various steps to engage stakeholders in meaningful discussions," Danjos emphasized.

When contacted, the Taraba State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Usman Abubakar, said heavily armed anti riot policemen have been drafted to the area, and that normalcy had been restored.

While residents of the community claimed that four deaths were recorded, Police sources told our reporter that only one person was killed, and two others injured

ANI Expresses Concern Over Activities of Illegal Miners in National Park

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

A non-governmental organization, Africa Nature Investors (ANI), on Thursday expressed concern over the activities of illegal miners who they said are gradually taking over the northern part of Gashaka-Gumti National Park.

The organisation called on the state and federal governments to address this concern before it gets out of hand.

The Executive Director of Africa Nature Investors, Mr. Morakinyo Tunde, disclosed this during the commissioning of the Gumti outpost of the Gashaka-Gumti National Park in Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Mr. Morakinyo noted that illegal mining poses a significant challenge to ANI's core mission of developing and protecting Gashaka-Gumti National Park, aiming to make it a hub of development in Nigeria.

"The northern part of the national park still faces threats ranging from logging, farm encroachment, illegal cattle grazing, and illegal mining," he said.

"The problem with illegal mining is that it attracts criminals from across the country, which creates a new problem not only for the park but also for surrounding communities. I call on the state and federal governments to support us in closing down these illegal mining operations to ensure that visitors to the park are not faced with the threat of criminality, as seen in other parts of the country. This park has been one of the most peaceful in Nigeria, and we want it to remain so."

Mr. Morakinyo explained that establishing an outpost in the northern part of the park was aimed at tackling insecurity and creating more job opportunities for the youth in nearby communities.

"For many years, the northern Gashaka-Gumti sector faced serious security challenges, and there were no permanent rangers stationed in this part of the park. So, we collaborated with the National Park Service to build this Gumti outpost. I am pleased to say that, thanks to the partnership between the ANI Foundation and the National Park Service, we now have a presence in an area that once faced major security issues."

"This outpost permanently houses over 50 rangers and support staff, has 24-hour electricity, year-round water supply, continuous internet access, and is a testament to our commitment to make this park a catalyst for development in Nigeria, contributing to better livelihoods," he added.

In his address, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, thanked the ANI Foundation for its dedication to preserving the country's natural heritage for tourism purposes.

Represented by the Conservator General of the National Park Service, Ibrahim Goni, Balarabe reaffirmed the Federal Government's support for ANI's projects and programs aimed at developing and promoting Nigeria’s natural heritage through the Federal Ministry of Environment.

"The strategic collaboration between the National Park Service and Africa Nature Investors began in November 2017 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has yielded positive outcomes, as witnessed today. This partnership aims to provide technical and financial support to the service in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, enhancing park protection, policing, and management," he said.

Responding, the Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Umaru Fintiri, represented by the Council Chairman of Toungo Local Government Area, Mr. Ahmed Sule, pledged to provide a conducive environment for the National Park Service and ANI Foundation to operate without hindrance.