NYSC begins orientation for 1,166 corps members in Taraba

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Friday inaugurated 1,166 corps members deployed to Taraba State for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Sibre, in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area.

Mr Williams Ella Aji, NYSC Taraba State Coordinator, noted that the three-week exercise was designed to build character, discipline and national unity among graduates.

Williams told the corps members that they were no longer just graduates from different institutions, but members of one national family under the NYSC.

"The orientation course is not merely military drills, lectures, physical exercises and social activities. It is a school of character. In the next three weeks we will test your discipline, resilience, adaptability, teamwork and emotional intelligence," he said.

He urged them to manage themselves well, relate respectfully with others, obey legitimate instructions from camp officials and security personnel, be punctual, attend all scheduled programs, and keep the camp environment clean.

The Coordinator assured the corps members that their welfare and safety remain top priorities for the NYSC in Taraba.

He also appreciated the North East Development Commission for its support to the scheme in the state. 

According to him, NEDC recently installed 50 solar-powered street lights in the camp, which has significantly improved security, added that the commission is currently installing a solar-powered borehole with a storage capacity of 40,000 litres to strengthen water supply and improve welfare.

Williams encouraged the corps members to take advantage of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development program during the orientation to acquire skills for self-reliance after service.

Speaking earlier, Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, assured corps members of his administration’s commitment to their welfare and security throughout their stay in the state.

Represented by the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, Kefas said renovation works would soon commence in the camp to provide conducive and healthy living conditions.

The event which held simultaneously across the 36 state orientation camps and the FCT, was well attended by top government functionaries such as the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS),  Gebon T Kataps, the Chairman, Taraba State Youth Development Agency, Hon. Gara Nongha, royal fathers, representatives of security and paramilitary formations in the state, among others.

The oath of allegiance for batch 'B' stream ii was administered by Justice Clara Jummai Kataps.

NGO Seeks Formal Partnership with Taraba Government to Combat Malnutrition

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Rural Integrated Development Initiative (RIDI), a non-governmental organization, has Thursday sought formal partnership with the Taraba State Government to scale up interventions against malnutrition in the state.

The Executive Director of (RIDI), Alhaji Mohammed Tanko Danburam, made the appeal on Friday during a courtesy visit to the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Gbashegn Buma, in Jalingo.

Danburam said the proposed  collaboration would focus on the implementation and scale-up of Multiple Micronutrients Supplementation, MMS, in Antenatal Care, ANC, and the integration of deworming into routine Primary Health Care outreaches, schools, and the Maternal Newborn Child Health Week, MNCHW.

He further noted that the MoU if signed would promote community engagement will imbibe spirit of ownership of health facilities in local communities.

"The aim of this meeting is to explore ways we can collaborate officially. We have been working closely with the ministry for the past 15 years, but not on official ground. We come in only during activities. Now we want a formal partnership with the Ministry of Health and other national and international bodies to help fight health challenges," Danburam said.

Responding, Dr. Bordiya Buma, State commissioner for health said he would discuss the proposal with the relevant authorities, including the Taraba State Governor and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, with a view to signing a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU.

Residents Raise Alarm Over Poor Healthcare Facilities in Taraba Communities

 

By Thomas Samuel 

Residents of Kurmi and Sardauna Local Government Areas of Taraba State have raised concerns over the deteriorating state of healthcare services in their communities, calling on the state government and relevant agencies to urgently intervene.

Findings by correspondents revealed that the First Referral Hospital in Baissa, Kurmi Local Government Area, is in a deplorable condition and requires immediate rehabilitation to improve healthcare service delivery.

The investigation showed that the hospital lacks adequate hospital beds, mattresses, functional toilet facilities, reliable electricity and other essential medical infrastructure needed to provide quality healthcare.

 Residents who spoke on condition of anonymity described the situation as alarming, noting that the facility, which serves as the only secondary healthcare institution in the area, is currently being managed by only one doctor.

They appealed to the Taraba State Government to urgently rehabilitate and equip the hospital to improve healthcare services and reduce the hardship faced by patients and healthcare workers.

When contacted, the Chairman of Kurmi Local Government Council, Moses Maihankali, said the council had already written to the North East Development Commission (NEDC), requesting support for the rehabilitation and equipping of the hospital.

A similar situation exists in Nguroje Ward of Sardauna Local Government Area, where residents of Gurgu, Bojire, Yelwa and Belel communities are struggling to access healthcare due to the absence of functional health facilities and poor road networks.

The Councillor representing Nguroje Ward, Dauda Manu Maisamari, disclosed that the affected communities have no primary healthcare centres, forcing residents to travel long distances to the nearest health facility in Maisamari.

According to him, the poor condition of roads often makes the journey difficult or impossible, especially during medical emergencies. He said many families are left with no option but to carry sick patients across difficult terrain in search of treatment.

Maisamari described the situation as a humanitarian concern, particularly for pregnant women, children and the elderly, lamenting that several lives have been lost in recent years because patients could not access timely medical care.

He appealed to the Taraba State Government and relevant authorities to establish primary healthcare centres in the affected communities and rehabilitate roads linking them to existing health facilities.

The concerns raised by residents come barely a week after the presentation of the Taraba State Quarter Two Health Sector Scorecard during the 2026 Joint Annual Review (JAR), which highlighted significant gaps in the implementation of the state's health plans.

The scorecard showed that only 19 per cent of the 232 activities captured in the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint Annual Operational Plan received funding, while just 17.7 per cent were fully implemented during the second quarter of 2026. The review also revealed that the sector recorded an overall budget performance of only 1.08 per cent despite a budget exceeding ₦5.5 billion, with inadequate funding, delayed approvals and poor implementation identified among the major constraints affecting service delivery.

The Joint Annual Review, a multi-stakeholder accountability forum, was convened to assess the health sector's performance, strengthen data-driven decision-making and identify priorities for the 2027 Annual Operational Plan.

Residents and community leaders believe that increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, improved road connectivity and more effective implementation of health sector plans will ease the suffering of rural communities, reduce preventable deaths and improve access to quality healthcare across Taraba State.

Accord Guber candidate, Prof. Nyameh rolls out 4-Pillar agenda to transform Taraba

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Accord Party's governorship candidate for Taraba State, Professor Jerome Nyameh, has unveiled a four-pillar agenda aimed at repositioning the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.  

Prof. Nyameh made this known while interacting with journalists in Jalingo on Sunday, saying his campaign would focus on issues and not on personal attacks, adding that the state deserves a new kind of politics built on ideas and service delivery.  

According to him, the agenda is anchored on four solid pillars designed to address the challenges facing the state.  

"Our campaign shall be strictly issue-based. There will be no name-calling, no insults, and no personal attacks. We shall rise above petty politics and focus on what truly matters to the people of Taraba State.

"Our first pillar is Viable Blueprint Agenda tagged 'Taraba Therapy' which is a clear, comprehensive and people-centred roadmap for transforming the state.  

"The second pillar is our Track Record, which highlights the tangible evidence of service, dedication and results from myself and my running mate.  

"The third pillar is Who We Are, and What We Have To Offer as practical and realistic solutions for the development of Taraba," he said.

He assured supporters that marketing the candidature would not be difficult because the record of service is already visible.  

Nyameh said the ultimate goal is to build a Taraba where opportunities are created, infrastructure is developed, the economy is revived, and citizens live in peace and dignity.  

"Our reputation speaks for itself. Our track record is evident, and our blueprint, Taraba Therapy, is here to solve problems, not create them.

"We will develop our state where opportunities are created, infrastructure is developed, our economy is revived, and our people live in peace and dignity," he added.

Only 18.5% of Taraba Health Sector Activities Implemented in Q2 – Review

 

By Thomas Samuel 

Taraba State's health sector recorded an overall implementation rate of 18.5 per cent of its planned activities for the second quarter of 2026, according to the Quarter Two Health Sector Scorecard presented during the 2026 Joint Annual Review (JAR).

The report showed that out of 232 activities captured in the state's Health Sector Strategic Blueprint Annual Operational Plan, only 19 per cent received funding, (roughly 44 out of the 232 planned activities got money to begin implementation) while 17.7 per cent were fully implemented during the period under review.

According to the presentation, the major challenge affecting implementation was the absence of defined activity memos, which accounted for 74 per cent of the bottlenecks. Other constraints included delayed or denied memo approvals, lack of cash backing for approved activities, delayed execution, and incomplete implementation of funded projects.

The review further indicated that government-funded activities recorded a completion rate of 25.3 per cent, while activities supported by development partners achieved an 80 per cent completion rate. Jointly funded activities posted a completion rate of 64.3 per cent, whereas activities without any funding recorded no implementation.

Financial analysis presented at the review showed that the health sector had a budget of over ₦5.5 billion for the period. However, only about ₦59.4 million was spent, representing an overall budget performance of 1.08 per cent. Government funding accounted for all the expenditure, while no spending was recorded under development partner or joint funding sources during the quarter.

The findings were presented during the 2026 Taraba State Health Sector Joint Annual Review, a multi-stakeholder accountability forum designed to assess performance against annual operational plans, strengthen data-driven decision-making, and identify priorities for the 2027 Annual Operational Plan.

 The review also seeks to promote transparency, mutual accountability, and collaboration among government, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector, and communities.

Taraba Health Stakeholders Seek Stronger Collaboration to End Preventable Diseases

 

By Thomas Samuel 

Stakeholders in Taraba State's health sector have called for stronger collaboration and increased investment to eliminate preventable diseases and improve access to quality healthcare across the state.

The call was made at the end of the two-day Joint Annual Review (JAR) Meeting organised by the Taraba State Ministry of Health at Camp View Event Centre, Jalingo.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Burdiya Buma, said government alone cannot build a health system that meets universal standards, stressing the need for sustained collaboration among development partners, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and other stakeholders.

He said Governor Agbu Kefas remains committed to ensuring that quality and affordable healthcare is available in every nook and cranny of Taraba State.

According to the Commissioner, although the state has recorded steady progress in disease surveillance and public health awareness, several challenges continue to hinder the attainment of universal health coverage.

He identified maternal and neonatal deaths, difficult terrain and inadequate funding as some of the major obstacles confronting the health sector.

The Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Tukura Nuhu, appealed to the Taraba State House of Assembly to ensure the full approval of the agency's budget, noting that every component of the proposed budget has a direct impact on healthcare delivery.

He also urged the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure adequate funding for primary healthcare, explaining that the agency is legally expected to receive financial support from the federal, state and local governments, with the local government component coordinated through the Bureau.

Nuhu said all stakeholders have critical roles to play in strengthening the health sector, particularly in addressing the state's high maternal mortality rate.

In their goodwill messages, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Joseph Kassong, represented by Dr. Demekpe Nathanel, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Abdulaziz Titong, represented by Deputy Clerk Hamamjam Usman, pledged their commitment to supporting the timely passage of health budgets in the state.

The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Taraba State Chapter, Moses Maihankali, who is also the Chairman of Kurmi Local Government Council, assured participants that local government chairmen would continue to support the Primary Healthcare Development Agency in delivering quality healthcare services.

He expressed optimism that the gaps identified during the review meeting would be addressed through effective implementation of the agreed recommendations.

Similarly, the Kuru Kona, Augustine Njengmang, represented by the District Head of Kona, Anthony Augustine, commended the Ministry of Health for what he described as sincere self-assessment and its commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the state.

Also speaking, the North-East Programme Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, Aliyu Tukur, said more than 70 per cent of maternal deaths are preventable. He disclosed that the Federal Government is implementing the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEmONC) Programme across the country to enable vulnerable pregnant women to access safe delivery services free of charge.

For Taraba State, he listed the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo; Specialist Hospital, Jalingo; Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Donga; and General Hospital, Gembu as designated facilities providing services under the programme.

The meeting ended with the adoption of a communiqué in which participants resolved to strengthen the implementation of the Taraba State Health Sector Strategic Blueprint and sustain the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) as the framework for coordinating health sector investments. 

They also called for increased domestic financing, expansion of quality primary healthcare services across all local government areas, accelerated implementation of universal health coverage through the Taraba State Health Insurance Scheme, improved availability of essential medicines and vaccines, strengthened disease surveillance and emergency preparedness, enhanced health information management, intensified efforts to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality, sustained malaria control interventions, greater community participation in health programmes, stronger collaboration with development partners and civil society organisations, and the revival of the Maternal and Perinatal Child Death Surveillance and Response (MPCDSR) programme through adequate funding.

Taraba Health Stakeholders Push for Improved Budget Implementation to Strengthen Healthcare Delivery

 

by Thomas Samuel 

Stakeholders in Taraba State's health sector have been urged to improve the implementation of budget indicators to enhance healthcare delivery and achieve better health outcomes across the state.

The call was made by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, during the opening of a two-day Joint Annual Review Meeting held at Camp View, Mile Six, Jalingo.

Dr. Buma said the review meeting, now in its second edition after its maiden event last year, provides an opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress, identify gaps, and develop strategies to improve areas where performance fell short.

He noted that regular performance reviews are essential to strengthening the state's health system and ensuring that government investments translate into better healthcare services for residents.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Harmony Churfo, described the gathering as a significant step towards advancing reforms in the health sector. He urged participants to actively contribute to discussions that would improve health service delivery in Taraba State.

Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Management Sciences for Health (MSH), including Dr. Adedeji Adesiye, Martins Jirgi, and Othniel Kighir, respectively, highlighted the importance of the Joint Annual Review as a strategic platform for evaluating progress and strengthening the health sector.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Tukura Nuhu, commended the commitment of the current administration to transforming healthcare in the state.

He identified the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Joint Annual Review process as major reforms introduced under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improve the nation's healthcare system.

Presenting an overview of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, Reuben Wunuji explained that the reform prioritises community-based healthcare services. He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare introduced the National Health Fellows Programme to promote accountability, strengthen community engagement, and increase awareness at the grassroots.

According to him, the initiative also focuses on expanding the health workforce, improving service delivery, and accelerating progress towards universal health coverage.