Corps member empowers 1,102 women, students with vocational, literacy training

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, Joy Alkali, has trained and empowered 1,102 students and women in Taraba State through vocational skills acquisition, literacy and Computer-Based Test (CBT) training, as part of her Community Development Service project.

Alkali also donated school uniforms to 30 students of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, in Jalingo to support access to education.

The project, implemented under her Better Tomorrow Initiative, was inaugurated on Tuesday after three months of a “Learning to Read” literacy programme and a week-long training in baking, pastry and confectionery.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Alkali said the initiative was designed to equip women and young people with practical, income-generating skills that would enhance their livelihoods, promote self-reliance and contribute to community development.

She said the project was inspired by her commitment to making a lasting impact beyond the classroom, stressing that empowering women creates a ripple effect that strengthens families and communities.

“Today is not just about celebrating the completion of a programme; it is about celebrating hope, empowerment and a better future for our community.

“We believe that when a woman is empowered, her family is strengthened, her community is transformed and the nation becomes better,” she said.

Alkali urged the beneficiaries to put the skills acquired into productive use by establishing small businesses and mentoring others within their communities.

She added that the donation of school uniforms to 30 students was intended to complement the education policy of Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, by reducing the financial burden on parents and encouraging school attendance.

The corps member also acknowledged the support of sponsors, facilitators, volunteers and community leaders, noting that the success of the Better Tomorrow Initiative should be measured by the number of lives positively impacted.

The Taraba State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Ella Aji Williams, commended Alkali for undertaking a community-focused project in line with the objectives of the NYSC Community Development Service.

Represented by the Head of Community Development Service, Mr Sunday Wankari, Williams also lauded the management of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, and the Taraba State Government for providing a peaceful environment that enabled corps members to execute impactful community projects.

The NYSC Local Government Inspector, Mr Lafal Clement, described the initiative as a model of selfless service and urged other corps members to undertake projects that address the needs of their host communities.

“Let this be a reference point for service that truly touches lives,” he said.

The Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, Comrade Abubakar Sanusi, expressed appreciation for Alkali’s contributions, describing her intervention as one that addressed critical needs within the school.

He said the corps member renovated classroom chalkboards, introduced reading support and CBT training, donated school uniforms and carried out other interventions that had significantly benefited students.

Taraba Varsity ASUU issues final strike warning to gov. Kefas over 2025 FG pact

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Taraba State University, Jalingo chapter, has issued it described as a final notice to Governor Agbu Kefas to implement the 2025 Federal Government-negotiated agreement with ASUU or risk an indefinite strike.

In a statement on Wednesday, the TSU-ASUU Chairman, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbaver, described the state government’s failure to honour the agreement as neglect of lecturers and demanded immediate compliance.

Mbaver said the union’s patience was exhausted and it had become necessary to alert the public, parents, students, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, labour unions, and “all lovers of education.”

He listed unresolved issues to include the non-implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU negotiated agreement, and the refusal to pay the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, CATA, Professorial Allowance, and Earned Academic Allowance, EAA.

"This press statement is ASUU-TSU’s final warning to the state government to act or face strike action. Enough of empty promises.

"These are not new or unreasonable requests. They have been discussed, negotiated, documented, and repeatedly brought before the state government. Instead of concrete action, our union has been met with silence and neglect," Mbaver said.

He noted that the 2025 agreement was expected to address long-standing problems in university education, including staff welfare, university funding, revitalisation, and better conditions of service.

The union demanded immediate implementation of CATA; payment of all outstanding arrears from non-implementation of legitimate entitlements; and respect for collective bargaining as a basic principle of industrial harmony.

"Despite the understanding reached, the Taraba State Government has failed to implement the agreement. This failure is unacceptable, provocative, and dangerous for the future of TSU.

"We view the continued failure to implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement as a profound disregard for the principles of collective bargaining. It shows a lack of seriousness about the survival of TSU.

"ASUU-TSU is not asking for charity. We demand what is due to our members. We demand respect for labour and comprehensive implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement," it read in parts.

ASUU-TSU further warned it would be left with no other option but to embark on an indefinite strike if its demands are not met within the shortest time.

Taraba: Sweepers' pay review was internal, not Gov. Kefas' directive - Chairman

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo  

The Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental and Sanitation Agency, Hon. Illiya Kefas, has said the recent review of stipends for street sweepers under Operation Keep Taraba Clean was an internal administrative decision and not a directive from Governor Agbu Kefas.  

Hon. Kefas made the clarification on Tuesday in Jalingo while reacting to media reports linking the governor to a cut in the sweepers’ pay.  

He explained that the agency had to balance its financial obligations due to the large number of casual workers engaged across the 16 local government areas of the state.  

Giving a breakdown of the agency’s monthly commitments, the chairman said, "We have 16 Local Government Coordinators, including Ngada and Yantu. We pay some N200,000, while the least among the monitoring team earns N100,000.  

"The review of stipends was an internal arrangement to sustain the activities of the agency. It was not a directive from His Excellency, Governor Agbu Kefas.

"We also have 10 supervisors, and the least we pay them is N50,000 per person. There are over 100 casual staff across the 16 LGAs. We spend more than N5 million monthly on feeding for the boys who work daily," he said.  

Hon. Kefas added that team leaders handling roadside cleaning operations receive daily allowances, noting that huge resources are committed to sanitation and waste evacuation across the state.  

He maintained that the adjustment became necessary to prevent shutting down operations or laying off workers.  

"Our decision was purely to keep the agency running and ensure that people remain engaged. Tarabans can attest to the visible improvement in Jalingo today because of these measures," he added.  

He urged the public to disregard reports attributing the stipend review to Governor Kefas, stressing that the governor remains committed to the welfare of workers in the state.  

Correspondent reports that street sweepers under the agency were engaged in 2023 with a monthly stipend of N20,000, which was reviewed to N15,000 in March 2024 are later N14,500 in 2026.

We’ll Take Taraba Bar Online to Promote Rule of Law, Justice - Chairman

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo  

The Chairman-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Jalingo Branch, Dr. Barr. Daniel Philemon Saredau, has unveiled plans to digitalize Bar practice in Taraba State to promote the rule of law and improve public access to justice.  

Speaking shortly after his election on Saturday, Dr. Saredau said his administration would prioritize technology to modernize the Bar and connect lawyers with the public they serve.  

He said the branch will build an official website and a digital member portal where lawyers can access resources, pay dues, and track activities online.  

"We’ll take Taraba Bar online to promote rule of law and justice. Our desire is to lift the Bar from where it is to the next level.

"Our target is to have a strong online presence so that members of the public can access the activities of the Bar. The era of analog practice is over," he stated.  

Dr. Saredau stressed that the Bar under his leadership would be committed to human rights advocacy, public interest litigation, and social justice, noted that lawyers must hold government accountable while protecting the rights of ordinary citizens.  

He also promised to strengthen relationships between the Bar, Bench, and security agencies for effective justice delivery.  

"We will create strategic partnerships with government by engaging critical stakeholders. Government must understand its responsibilities to society, and lawyers must protect public interest.

"Our predecessors have done their best, but we want a stronger bond between the Bar, Bench, and security agencies. We are all stakeholders in the criminal justice sector," he noted.  

Dr. Saredau disclosed plans to upgrade the Bar Centre into a functional workspace and build a guest house for members. added that social and recreational facilities would be provided to support lawyers beyond courtroom work.  

"We have a target to attract infrastructure. We want to ensure that social and recreation is for all lawyers, not just street legal work," he assured.  

Correspondent reports that Dr. Daniel Philemon Saredau emerged as Chairman of the NBA Jalingo Branch at the election held on Saturday.  

Other elected officials include:  

Musa Danji Mohammed, Vice Chairman; Nasiru Muhammad, Secretary; Musa Hosea, Assistant Secretary; Longs Lugnan Takdok, Public Relations Officer; Madinatu Alhaji Kabiru, Treasurer; Fonga Umaru Fonga, Welfare Secretary; Mujahid Mukhtar, Provost; and Thomson D. Tahir, Social Secretary Respectively.

Court fixes July for continuation of APC Reps. Primary election case.

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Federal High Court seating in Jalingo Taraba state on Wednesday adjourned a suit challenging the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Jalingo/Yorro/Zing federal constituency, to 1st. July 2026.

The preceding judge, Hon. Justice Mashkur Salisu, announced the adjournment following the absent of the third defendant's counsel.

Correspondent reports that, Hon. Princess Leah Olusiyi Solomon, had approached the court, challenging the conduct of the exercise that allegedly produced the incumbent member, Hon. Prince Sadiq Tafida Abas, as candidate for the 2027 election.

According to Princess Solomon, the primaries were not conducted in the constituency, and pray court to nullify the the outcome.

Meanwhile, when the case came up for hearing, counsel to the third defendant failed to appear, and did not issued a prior notification about his absence.

Addressing journalists shortly after the court session, Barrister P.D Pius, counsel for the plaintiff, expressed dissatisfaction over the defendant's counsel action. He lamented that the third defendant counsel did not issued a prior notification of his inability to appear before the court after being duely served. 

"I don't know why the third defendant counsel was absent in court. The counsel was duely served to appear today but we are surprised that he failed to appear without any notification". Pius expressed.

Barrister Pius prayed the court to consider the legal implications and time, and proceed with the case if the defendant fails to appear at the adjourned date.

Three Killed in Karim Lamido Crisis as Taraba Government Declares Curfew

By Thomas Samuel 

Rising insecurity in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State has prompted urgent government and security interventions, including the imposition of a 24-hour dusk-to-dawn curfew in key communities and the deployment of a high-powered peace delegation.

The Taraba State Police Command has finalized plans to deploy a special squad of Mobile Police (MOPOL) to the area to tackle the activities of gunmen and other criminal elements causing fear among residents. 

In an interview, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Victor Mshelizah, disclosed that the command is responding to a disturbing wave of attacks that recently claimed three lives. He added that the police will soon pay a special visit to the local government to assess the security situation on ground and map out comprehensive strategies to restore normalcy.

Mshelizah appealed to members of the public to provide timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that effective policing is a collective responsibility. “Policing work is more than one man’s affairs,” he said.

Curfew Declared

On June 5, 2026, the Chairperson of Karim Lamido Local Government Council, Virginia Baba Bambur, announced a 24-hour dusk-to-dawn curfew in Karim town and Didango community. The directive took immediate effect and is aimed at containing the escalating crisis. 

Students sitting for the ongoing West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations have been exempted from the restriction for their convenience. All security agencies — including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, and others — have been directed to fully comply with the curfew to stem the insecurity.

High-Powered Delegation Heads to Crisis Zone

Later on the same day, a high-powered delegation left Jalingo for Karim town to broker peace and assess the security atmosphere. The team is led by:

- Chairperson Virginia Baba Bambur

- Commanding Officer, 114 Battalion, Jimlari

- Taraba State Commissioner of Police

- Key leaders from the Karimjo and Wurkum communities

The delegation’s visit follows renewed clashes in different locations within the local government, resulting in several deaths, destruction of properties, and the displacement of residents who are fleeing their homes in fear. 

Correspondents on ground report that many residents, particularly in the administrative headquarters and surrounding villages, have been seen packing their belongings and deserting the area. Commercial activities have been severely paralyzed, and normal life has been disrupted.

Security personnel have intensified patrols across strategic locations to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

 Background of the Crisis

The recent surge in attacks by unidentified gunmen has heightened tension and forced many families to abandon their settlements. Residents have expressed serious concern over the lingering insecurity, which has turned daily life into a constant struggle for safety.

Authorities are optimistic that the combined deployment of additional police operatives, the curfew, and the peace mission by top government and security officials will help restore calm and address the root causes of the conflict between the affected communities.

The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as the delegation engages stakeholders on ground. Residents have been urged to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security forces during this period. 

Flooding Hits Jalingo Communities on World Environment Day

Jalingo, June 6, 2026

By Thomas Samuel 

At least two communities in Jalingo, Taraba State's capital, were submerged on Friday as heavy flooding damaged a key bridge and destroyed farmland on World Environment Day.

The flooding resulted from a heavy downpour that began in the early hours of Friday. Major areas affected include the Specialist and Nukkai communities, which have long been identified as flood-prone zones in the city.

Ahmed Ali, a farmer who cultivates vegetables along the riverbank in Nukkai, woke up to find his investment wiped out. "I put money into this farm just a few weeks ago. Everything is gone," he said, appealing to authorities to provide palliative support to affected residents.

In the Specialist community, the flood also damaged a bridge linking Jalingo to a local government area. Commercial motorcycle rider Joseph Nyavo expressed disappointment, noting that the bridge had provided relief after decades of hardship. "It is sad that we are back to square one," he said.

This is the second major flood in Taraba State since the rainy season began barely two months ago, already disrupting the lives of both rural and urban communities.

The Director of the Taraba State Environmental Protection Agency, Julius Mimba, had earlier warned residents living along riverbanks to remain on high alert for possible flooding, emphasising that while the government is working to mitigate the impacts of climate change, citizens also have a responsibility to heed meteorological warnings.

Over the past decades, Taraba State has repeatedly suffered the effects of flooding, particularly in areas such as Karim Lamido, Ibi, Gassol, and Jalingo. Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of such floods across Nigeria's Middle Belt to shifting rainfall patterns driven by climate change a crisis set to dominate discussions at COP31 in Antalya later this year.