Society for Family Health moves to improve HIV care for children, and pregnant/ lactating mothers in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

Society for Family Health, through one of its projects in Taraba, Lafiyan Yara, conducted its annual workshop for all project staff to improve the HIV cascade of care among children, adolescents, and pregnant and lactating mothers in the state.

Dr Omokhudu Idogho, the Managing Director while speaking at a two-day annual workshop on Friday in Jalingo, said the projects staff included Community Counsellor Testers, Facility Case Managers, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), and Mentor Mothers.

Idogho said the workshop drew 130 participants from the 15 implementing Local Government Areas of the state, all of whom play pivotal roles in ensuring the success and efficiency of service delivery within the project.

Represented by the Country Coordinator of the Project, Aisha Dadi, the MD said one of the primary aims of the workshop was to harmonize efforts and enhance service delivery by the state project team.

According to her, the harmonisation was to align with the Strategic Direction of the organization - Beyond Boundaries 2024-2030, Innovations for New Markets laid out by SFH.

She explained that the workshop also focused on orienting project staff with the organizational sustainability model reinforcing its guiding principles and ensuring the provision of quality services for the community.

The Director said case identification of HIV among Children and adolescents, pregnant and lactating mothers, complete linkage to the health facilities, treatment retention and viral suppression strategies would be discussed and addressed to improve quality of life among the target population.

Our correspondent reports that during the meeting, participants actively engaged in dynamic discussions, sharing experiences and innovative strategies aimed at improving service quality and expanding its reach. 

key aspects of the workshop were the documentation of successes stories, challenges and recommendations from the frontline of programme implementation. 
Through diligent record-keeping and analysis, participants aimed to extract actionable insights to guide future endeavours.

Topics range from UNAIDS goal of 95:95:95 and its strategies, mental health management and storytelling to leveraging digital media for photo and video coverage, leadership, and navigating the strategic landscape outlined by SFH.

New team members were welcomed and provided with comprehensive orientations, ensuring they were not only familiar with the objectives of the Lafiyan Yara Project but also equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to hit the ground running.

In his goodwill message Mr Jellason Danjuma, the Director of Planning, Monitoring, and Research (DPRM) at the Taraba State AIDS Control Agency commended SFH for its wonderful contributions towards mitigating the effects of HIV in Taraba.

Taraba land dispute: Tiv community rejects monarch's media propaganda, calls for fair treatment

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Tiv community in Bali Local Government area of Taraba state on Thursday refuted the media reports attributed to the Chief of Jibu Chiefdom, Alhaji Abubakar Mahmoud, claiming that he relocated Dugwer residents to a new site to resolve a longstanding land dispute.

Zaki David Gbaa, the traditional leader of Tiv in Bali and Chairman, of the Taraba State Council of Tiv Traditional Leaders, refuted the claim in an interview with journalists, describing it as diversionary and aimed at deceiving the people and impeding the investigation ordered by the Governor Agbu Kefas.

The Kur Jibu, Alhaji Abubakar Mahmoud had on Monday purportedly handed over the new land in the Utsuwa-Daa area of Bali to the people of Dugwer, saying the move would settle the protracted land dispute between the Tiv and Hausa communities residing in the area.

But in an interview with journalists, the Chief of Tiv pointed out that the Governor, in a recent meeting regarding the land dispute, instructed the Chairman of the Bali Local Government Council, Hon. Aboki Dakka, to compile a report on all land issues in the area and submit to him for further action and wondered why the Kur Jibu was acting in defiance to the Governor's directive.

"I have submitted my report to the Chairman as directed by the Governor and I think the best thing to do is to wait for the Governor to go through the reports and take a decision.

"The land in question is over 500 hectares and the new land he is saying he has given to the people is less than eight hectares, how would the people farming on 500 hectares of land now confine themselves to eight hectares?

"To put the record straight, the Court of Appeal Yola Division in 2019 ruled in our favour and handed over the land to us as original owners and we have the court proceedings. The Kur Jibu allocated the land to the immediate past Governor of the state, Arc. Darius Ishaku, throwing up fresh controversy.

"We are a peace-loving people and would not accept anything that will throw up fresh crisis in the area. We want to call on Governor Agbu Kefas who has already waded into the issue to expedite action for the peaceful resolution of the issue," he appealed.

Gbaa said tension was also mounting in Zuddai community following the seizure of farmlands in seven village subdivisions belonging to the Tiv community, the matter he said he has reported to the Kur Jibu who simply said they have resolved that nobody should stay in the affected areas.

Taraba State Government Blames FG Over Prolonged Blackout

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Taraba state government on Thursday expressed grave concern over the worsening power supply situation in the  State and criticized the federal government for its perceived negligence in addressing the total blackout in the State.

Engr. Naomi Tanko Agbu, Commissioner of Energy and Economic Development for Taraba State, voiced the state government's dismay over the power crisis that has plunged Taraba and neighbouring states into darkness, severely impacting business activities in the region.

During a media briefing in Jalingo, she highlighted the recent disruption in electricity supply caused by the vandalization of four transmission line towers along the Jos-Gombe 330kV line on April 22, 2024.

"This issue is a federal matter, and I want to assure you that we are taking it very seriously. We have been working tirelessly with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) to address the situation. We have also contacted the Minister of Power, and we are yet to receive positive feedback regarding the weeks of blackout in a state capital such as Jalingo in Nigeria.

"The prolonged response time is concerning, as it indicates complete neglect by the federal government towards Taraba State and the region. The recent events have highlighted the vulnerability of the network serving the North-East region. The urgent need for a robust plan, such as the North-East ring circuit proposed in TCN's expansion plan to connect the North-East to the South of Nigeria, cannot be overstated and should be implemented immediately by the federal government.

"As some of you may already know, other states have received partial reconnection to electricity supply through the back feeding of the old TCN 132kV line stretching from Jos via Bauchi, Gombe, Savannah to Yola and Jalingo. However, the technical constraints and equipment limitations from the TCN end pose significant challenges. The risk of supplying electricity to Jalingo at this point far outweighs the benefit to our people.

"Our priority is the restoration of electricity supply to affected areas quickly and safely. The TCN contractor has already been mobilized to the site and has commenced reconnection works with his teams," she stated.

Agbu urged Tarabans to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or individuals observed near transmission line towers or electrical facilities attempting to vandalize any infrastructure. She also noted that YEDC has provided phone numbers and contact information for whistleblowers to report such incidents.

Eschew night travels- NYSC coordinator tells corps members in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Taraba State NYSC coordinator, Mr. Ella Aji Williams on Tuesday urged Corps members posted to serve in Taraba State not to continue their journey beyond 6:pm. Advised them should they be on the road by that time, they should approach the nearest military and police barracks or NYSC formation for accommodation.

The coordinator gave the advice during the closing ceremony for the 2024, Batch 'A' stream ii orientation course at the Sibere permanent orientation camp in the Ardo-kola local government area of the State.

Williams admonished them not to board vehicles by the roadside, but rather go to designated motor parks in order to ensure their safety.

"I wish to reiterate management travel advice to the Corps Members

against night travel. You are required to eschew night voyages.

Endeavour to break your journey once it is six in the evening. Available locations

for you to pass the night include police stations, military barracks, and any close

NYSC secretariat or orientation camp. I commit you all to the hand of the

Almighty God as you begin your journey to your respective destinations.

"My dear Corps Members, as you commence the next phase of the Cardinal programmes of the scheme, I enjoin you all to make good use of the training and knowledge acquired from the orientation course and make positive changes in the lives of the people you will meet in your respective host communities, using the tools of the SAED and CDS programmes of the scheme.

"It is expected that you will make painstaking efforts to learn, unlearn, 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. You are required to look inward to identify their challenges or areas of need and make an impact on solving these needs using the tool of the Community Development Service programme", he said.

Speaking at the occasion, Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu kefasKefas has expressed his readiness to ensure that corps member's welfare is taking care of as of when due.

Represented by the State Secretary to the Government (SSG), Chief Barrister Gebon Timothy Kataps, Kefas reminded them of the scheme programmes; which include Orientation course, Primary assignment/Community Development Service, and winding-up and passing-out exercise.

"let me reassure you of my administration's commitment to

ensuring the well-being of all corps members serving in the state. We will always ensure that we assist the scheme in realising its targeted goals and objectives. I want to equally direct all corps employers not to reject the services of these corps members but should ensure that they provide accommodation to them in a bid to enable them to settle down and deliver their services to the good people of the state.

"I must add without equivocation that the NYSC scheme has played a key role in this regard. The scheme through your predecessors has played a great role in the accelerated development of the Nation in general and Taraba State in particular. I, therefore entreat you to use this time and period to contribute your quota to the socio-economic development of your immediate host community and the Nation at large.

We are aware of the issue of electricity supply in the camp which affects the supply of water, the ministry of Youths and Sports Development is now directed to come up with a memo for the installation of the solar power system to take care of this critical problem immediately", he directed.

Taraba community seeks upgrade of Chiefdom and creation of district heads

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The paramount ruler of the Jenjo community in the Karim-Lamido local government area,  on Saturday, called on the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas to upgrade the Jen chiefdom to 2nd class status and create more district heads for the sake of unity and oneness.

The chief of the Jenjo community, HRH, David Robert requested the Jenjo Cultural Day Celebration, held at Major General Boniface Robert Sinjen, Sports and Cultural Centre, organized in his honour in Jen Karim-Lamido local government area of the State.

The 3rd class chief asserted that "Jen chiefdom was long overdue to be upgraded to a new status to give the Jenjo people a sense of belonging".

He also appealed to the state government through the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to approve the creation of more district and village heads within the Jenjo chiefdom.

"Government cannot do everything for us, hence all hands must be on the desk to assist our community to grow.

"One of the greatest worries in this chiefdom is our request for 2nd class status, we were initially on the same rank with Zing, Kona and Bali up to the early 70s having embarked 3rd class chiefdom since the 80s, surprisingly, Zing has 1st class, while Bali and Bakundi are in 2nd class level leaving Jen far behind.

"We are, therefore, appealing to the state governor, Dr Agbu Kefas to approve and upgrade Jen chiefdom to give us a sense of pride.

"Let me also call on the government through the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to approve the creation of more district heads and village heads in Jen's domain.

"I Want to assure the governor of our resolve and pledge to do everything humanly possible to live in harmony, ensuring fairness, equity and justice, promote peace, growth and development of our community the State and the nation ", he promised.

In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, former Governor of Tàraba state, the Rev. Jolly Nyame, while expressing confidence in the paramount ruler,  urged him to use his power to unite his people both within and outside the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Agbu Kefas, said that his administration would not leave any stone on turn in addressing the challenges of Taraba citizens.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Timothy Katap, kefas assured the community that they would be connected to a high-quality road in the next two years.

COAS commissions intervention projects in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja on Thursday commissioned Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Projects at  Jen community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Lagbaja disclosed at the project's site that, the initiative was to provide support where communities of the Nigerian army officers who through dedication to duty and offer services for the country had risen to the ranks of major general to enhance the quality of life of Nigeria citizens.

He stated this during the Combined Commissioning of the intervention projects christened, Major General Boniface Robert Sinjen Sports and Cultural Centre and Major General Henry Tafida Wesley Multipurpose Centre respectively.

Commissioning the projects, Gen Lagbaja lauded the remarkable contributions and dedication to the service of Major Generals Boniface Sinjen and Henry Wesley, two sons of the Jen community, who executed the projects as a way of giving back to their Community.

"I am here today to celebrate two senior officers of the Nigeria army, Major Generals Boniface Sinjen and Henry Wesley, and I thank Governor Agbu Kefas for not only coming to identify with his primary constituency but also coming with the high-powered delegation from the state.

"The two Senior Officers in the Nigeria army, we are here to Honour you today, because you have made remarkable achievements in the Nigeria army through your over three decades of discipline, diligence and dedicated service within and outside the shores of our beloved country.

"Your years of unblemished services both locally and internationally admiration and it is the recognition of their contributions that we have gathered here today, to commission a couple of Chief of Army Staff, Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Projects.

"Nigeria army sees the people of Nigeria as critical partners in progress. This consciousness is a crucial factor in sustaining the yearning of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Projects under our Civil-Military Cooperation line of efforts.

"Our projects are always conceptualized and executed to compliment the government effort in providing top-notch basic amenities and infrastructures for the people of Nigeria. 

"Nigeria Army is not out to compete with any level of government, political or socio-cultural entity and also the idea of our projects is not to give any undue political advantage to our senior officers but rather to compliment the government and communities efforts at enhancing the quality of life of our people", he said.

The Army Chief while appreciating the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continuous support, urged the benefiting communities to safeguard the projects for the purpose they are meant for.

In his address, the Chief of Operations, Major General Boniface Sinjen stated that the project was part of the  COAS Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Project, approved and funded by the COAS to give succour to communities in need. 

He said that the acts of benevolence over the years have helped galvanize the needed support from citizens, as force multipliers for troops combating insecurity in troubled parts of the country,  noting that the centre is expected to nurture and cultivate athletes, empowering them to represent Jen community at both the state and the national levels.

Speaking at the occasion, Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas lauded the chief of army staff's initiative and stressed that the projects would go a long way to cement civil-military relationship.

"These products are the initiative of the Chief of Army Staff to add value to the community and to carry out special responsibility to encourage military and civilian relationships in combating insecurity in our country.

"I want to use this opportunity and thank the chief of army staff for the confidence he reposed on our sons in Taraba, last year, most of our sons benefited from the last promotion, one major general was promoted in recognition and the love the chief of army staff has for us in Taraba.

"I want to assure the people of Karim-Lamido that my administration will give special attention to Karim-Lamido local government, before my next campaign, I believe that the road from Jalingo to Karim-Lamido would have been finished", he said.
Our correspondent reports that the two projects, sponsored by the office of the COAS, are a Sports and Cultural Center, as well as a Multi-Purpose Center. 

The Sports and Cultural Centre is named after Major General Boniface Robert Sinjen, has standard Basketball and Volleyball courts, a Football pitch, with two pavilions of 500 seating capacity, as well as a Museum and a Conference hall with offices.
The other is  Major General Henry Tafida Wesley Multipurpose Centre.

May Day: Gov Kefas restates commitment to worker's welfare

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas on Wednesday, renewed his administration's commitment to giving the welfare of workers an utmost priority despite the dwindling resources occasioned by the economic downturn in the country.

Kefas disclosed this at the Jolly Nyame Stadium Jalingo, during the Worker's Day celebration with a theme, "People's Faith".

Assuring workers of his administration's readiness, said the government did not allow economic challenges to stop it from giving a lift to their welfare and that of the retirees in the State.

"Workers are the backbone of our society, tirelessly dedicated to their time, skills and efforts to ensure the smooth functioning of our economy and the provision of essential services for our people.

"Without the hard work and dedication of our workers, Taraba State will not be where we are today, as your caring father, I am actually aware of the importance of ensuring the welfare, safety professional development of our workforce, it is our responsibility to create an enabling environment that promote job satisfaction, fair compensation and opportunity for career advancement.

"My administration has prioritised aimed welfare of workers in Taraba State, we have implemented policies aimed at improving workers' condition, we have provided access to quality health care and ensuring timely payment of salaries and benefits.

"We have invested in bringing our capacity building programme, to enhance the skills and competency of our workforce, thereby increasing productivity and efficiency across all sectors", he said.

While noting that the administration values the input of the workers to the socio-economic development of the State, Kefas noted that the achievements recorded by his government within the short period would not have been possible without the support of the civil servants.

Speaking earlier, State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Peter Jediel his Trade Union Congress TUC, and counterpart, Mr Sule Abasu, all commended Governor Agbu Kefas's administration for its demonstration of steadfast commitment to Worker's well-being through regular payment of salaries, capacity building, free education programme and provision of an environment conducive to work.