US-Based NGO Donates Drugs, Books to Taraba IDPs

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

A New York-based humanitarian organisation, Open Arms Amazing Charitable Organisation Inc., has donated medicines and exercise books to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Taraba State.

The organisation donated the items through the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (TSEMA) in Jalingo on Monday.

Presenting the items on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Magdalene Agada, the organisation's representative, Mr Enoch Reuben, said the donation was aimed at supporting IDPs across the state and complementing the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas.

He said the organisation was impressed by the transparency and excellence demonstrated by TSEMA in handling humanitarian interventions.

"Our organisation and CEO have seen the transparency and excellence in the humanitarian drive of TSEMA with internally displaced persons," she said.

Receiving the items, the Executive Secretary of TSEMA, Dr Audu Echuseh, thanked the organisation for its continued support, assuring that the materials would be judiciously utilised for the benefit of IDPs.

According to her, the medicines and exercise books would support the free education policy of the state government and improve healthcare delivery to vulnerable populations.

She noted that Open Arms has consistently supported the state and described the organisation as a reliable partner in humanitarian service.

Dr Echuseh called on other organisations and well-meaning individuals to emulate the gesture by partnering with the state government to address the needs of IDPs in Taraba.

NGO Offers Free Cancer Screening for Women in Taraba

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Cancer Consciousness Initiative (CCI), conducted free cancer screening for women in Jalingo on Friday.

The Chief Executive Director, Dr Hannatu Ayuba, said the exercise was part of a campaign to improve access to cancer treatment for women in the North-East.

Ayuba, a Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, said the outreach was organised under the 2026 Pinktober Cancer Awareness Campaign with the theme "Awareness to Access".

She urged women to be conscious of the prevalence of cancer and to seek early diagnosis and treatment, noting that early detection would help mitigate its deterioration.

According to her, the initiative is promoting inclusion by providing cancer health literacy to people regardless of social status, age, location or disability.

She said the organisation is also working with government and healthcare partners to bridge gaps in access to specialist cancer services, particularly in underserved communities.

Ayuba disclosed that its TeleOncology Hub Programme was designed to improve access to specialist care, including for people living in areas without adequate cancer treatment services.

"We believe in inclusion. We are giving cancer health literacy to everybody, whether you are rich or poor, whether you have any disability or not.

"We are breaking the stigma. Cancer should be discussed, talked about, and no one with cancer should hide or stay at home and suffer. I urge communities and everyone to embrace early detection and seek medical attention," she said.

She added that the organisation is supporting breast cancer awareness, ultrasound screening, biopsies and further investigations to determine the nature of tumours and guide treatment.

Ayuba said community patient navigators are available to help patients access hospitals, connect with appropriate specialists and participate in multidisciplinary consultations to determine suitable treatment plans.

Also speaking, Dr Monica Amadi of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, who is the Secretary of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), expressed delight over the massive turnout of women for the screening.

Amadi assured that the exercise would continue even after the stipulated days and encouraged women to utilise the opportunity for early detection and treatment.

Hajia Habiba Musa, a beneficiary, said early detection would reduce high death rates and called on women to make efforts to access cancer care for better health.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Mary Patrick, said the awareness would go a long way in addressing the challenge of lack of access to cancer care.

Taraba Judiciary to Sustain Collaboration With FIDA - CJ

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, has assured that the State Judiciary will sustain its collaboration with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) to enhance justice delivery, especially for vulnerable persons.

Justice Agya gave the assurance on Friday in Jalingo when he received the Taraba State branch of FIDA on a courtesy visit.

He said FIDA plays a critical role in the administration of justice through legal representation, public education, advocacy and assistance to persons who might otherwise have no effective voice.

Agya noted that there is room for continued engagement between the Judiciary and FIDA on practical barriers faced by vulnerable court users, adding that constructive suggestions on access to court information and registry services would be welcome through appropriate channels.

"For a woman facing violence, or a child exposed to abuse, timely legal assistance can make a profound difference.

"Such engagement must always preserve the independence of the courts and avoid discussion of the merits of pending cases," he stressed.

Justice Agya described violence against women and girls as a menace that extends beyond the immediate victim, capable of disrupting families, undermining education, livelihoods, and weakening community security.

He commended FIDA for its planned sensitisation against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and pledged the Judiciary's support within its limits.

Earlier, Mrs Patience Bagudu, Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee for the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV 2026, said the visit was to brief the CJ on preparations for the campaign scheduled for November 25 to December 10, 2026.

She highlighted planned activities to include sensitisation visits to Taraba State University and two public secondary schools in Jalingo, visits to orphanage centres, and a dinner to honour deserving members.

In her remarks, the Chairperson of FIDA in Taraba, Mrs Shalom Maijankai, who led the delegation, described Justice Agya as a worthy patron of the association and reaffirmed FIDA's commitment to work with the judiciary to ensure justice for vulnerable women and girls.

2027: Don't Make Politics Your Source of Income, Accord Guber Candidate Tells Taraba Youths

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Taraba State, Professor Jerome Nyameh, has advised youths in the state not to make politics their primary source of income or career.

Prof. Jerome Nyameh gave the advised while interacting with journalists in Jalingo on Friday, said politics should be seen as an opportunity to serve and contribute to the development of the constituency, state and nation.

He urged youths to learn a trade, acquire valuable skills, further their education and build something of their own, noting that financial independence gives courage to stand for what is right.

"Never allow anyone to use you to insult opponents, spread lies, attack others, or defend falsehood just to prove your loyalty to a politician. Set boundaries. Protect your integrity. Guard your conscience," he said.

According to him, true loyalty is supporting a principal without surrendering conscience, stressing that youths should be able to tell their principals they can mobilize and campaign but will not insult opponents or defend what is wrong.

He added that stipends will finish, governments will come and go, and political alliances will shift, but character, reputation and integrity will remain.

"Don't mortgage your future for a monthly stipend. Don't destroy relationships and tarnish your name because of 2027 election and temporary political benefits," Nyameh warned.

NGO Committed to Bridging Access to Cancer Treatment Gap - CEO

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Cancer Consciousness Initiative (CCI) has restated its commitment to bridging the gap between community and specialist cancer care in the North East. 

Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Hannatu Ayuba, made this known on Thursday at the Taraba State Pinktober 2026 Town Hall Meeting, themed, "No One Should Face Cancer Alone" in Jalingo.

Dr. Ayuba, who is also Programme Lead of the TeleOncology Hub and its Community Patient Navigation Programme, said the meeting was aimed at raising awareness on access to cancer care, noting that cancer is beyond a medical condition and requires collective responsibility.

She said many people in Northeast Nigeria still face cancer with fear, misinformation, late presentation, financial hardship and limited access to specialists, stressing that behind every diagnosis is a person and family deserving compassion and hope.

She explained that effective cancer control cannot rest on hospitals alone but requires active participation of government, traditional institutions, religious leaders, private sector, development partners and the media to promote early presentation, screening and to challenge misconceptions.

According to her, "that is why CCI through its TeleOncology Hub Community Patient Navigation Programme is committed to ensuring patients are not abandoned between community and hospital through awareness, patient navigation, referral coordination, virtual consultations and multidisciplinary reviews.

"We believe where a person lives or their financial circumstances should not determine whether they receive appropriate cancer care. Our message is simple and powerful: No one should face cancer alone," Ayuba said.

Mallam Bashir Hammanjoda, representative of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), said the commission is keen on supporting initiatives targeted at cancer prevention and treatment and will continue to collaborate with partners to stem cancer in the sub-region.

Dr. Joel Rimamde, Chief Executive Officer of Global Medical Diagnostic Centre, commended CCI for the sensitisation and urged people to seek early diagnosis before the disease spreads.

Mrs. Rahila Adamu, a breast cancer survivor, warned against relying on native medicine, insisting that cancer is not a death sentence. Said she survived after treatment at FMC Gombe and the National Hospital Abuja, adding.

"When you are on chemotherapy and you take a good diet, you can survive it."

Double-Hand Amputee Taraba Poly Student Faces Eye Challenge, Loses One Eye

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The tragedy of Iorhee Saanmoyol Paul, a student of Taraba State Polytechnic, Jalingo, who lost both hands after electrocution, has taken a more painful turn as the amputee now faces serious eye challenges and has lost one eye.

Paul, a student of the Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, was electrocuted on May 21, 2025, while hoisting a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag with an iron rod handle which touched a high-tension wire along Roadblock to ATC Road, near the polytechnic gate in Jalingo.

He was rushed to Girad Hospital, Magami in Jalingo before he was transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital inside the Taraba State Specialist Hospital where his two hands were amputated on June 19, 2025, to save his life after 28 days of intensive care.

Speaking to our correspondent in Jalingo on Thursday, Paul said after surviving the amputation, he started developing severe eye complications which have now led to the loss of his left eye.

"After I lost my two hands, I thought that was the end of my pains, but now my eyes are failing me. I have already lost one eye and the other one is not seeing clearly. I am in serious pain and I need help. My contact is +2348108338010.

"I don't know why God didn't take my life during the electrocution. I would have been dead and my parents and relations would have since forgotten about me.

"I must thank the governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for his support. A week after I was discharged from the hospital, I received the sum of N500,000 which aided me to treat the wounds that were still remaining on my body. Since then I have been calling the person concerned, but he keeps saying 'I will get back to you' which has yielded no result," he said in tears.

He appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas, the Taraba State Government, philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians to come to his aid for urgent eye surgery and to provide him with artificial hands to enable him to live a normal life again.

Paul had earlier thanked Governor Kefas for sponsoring his medical bills from the day of the incident to the point of amputation, but said he has been left without proper rehabilitation.

When contacted, Dr. Danga, a personal physician to Governor Agbu Kefas, said government is a process but assured that government would look into the challenge.

It would be recalled that Paul was hoisting the PDP flag during preparations for the visit of President Bola Tinubu to Taraba for the Taraba Investment Summit, TARAVEST, when the tragedy struck.

Remain Security Conscious At Your PPAs - NYSC Coordinator Tells Corps Members

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Taraba State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Mr. Ella Aji Williams, has urged corps members to remain security conscious and dedicated as they proceed to their Places of Primary Assignment.

Williams gave the charge on Tuesday during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream 1 Orientation Course in Jalingo.

He said the ceremony marked not just the completion of the three-week orientation exercise, but the emergence of a new generation of young Nigerians equipped with discipline, leadership and patriotism.

The Coordinator said corps members who arrived as graduates of different institutions were leaving as members of one national family bound by the ideals of the NYSC.

Williams also advised the corps members to be punctual, responsible and innovative at their PPAs and to put to use the entrepreneurial skills acquired during the SAED programme.

"I warmly welcome you all to the memorable closing ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream 1 Orientation Course. Today, we celebrate not merely the completion of three weeks orientation but the successful emergence of a new generation of young Nigerians better equipped in discipline, leadership, patriotism, resilience and the noble spirit of service.

"At your Places of Primary Assignment, I enjoin you to be punctual, responsible, innovative and dedicated. I also encourage you to put to use the skills you acquired through the SAED programme, do not allow the skills acquired to remain dormant as certificates of pleasant memories of camp activities," he said.

He further urged them to obey NYSC regulations, and maintain regular communication with their love ones.