ASUU Faults Kefas Aides Over Claim TSU Pays Highest Salaries

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) chapter, has debunked claims by appointees of Governor Agbu Kefas that the institution is the highest paying university in Nigeria.

The union described the claim as false, misleading and unsupported by any verifiable record.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Chairman of ASUU-TSU, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbave, said the union took note with grave concern of a podcast circulated on social media by a social media hireling of the government, whose comments exposed his ignorance.

Mbave said the figures from the state government's own fact-finding report and salary structures of other universities contradict the claim.

He said the report titled "Report on the Implementation of Consolidated Academic/Teaching Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Allowance (CONTTA)" covering Gombe State University, Sa'adu Zungur University Bauchi, Yobe State University and Adamawa State University, was presented to the union on September 24, 2026.

"The report established that the institutions covered had fully implemented the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement. It follows that staff of these institutions earn more than their counterparts at Taraba State University," he said.

The union gave comparative figures to puncture the claim, "Graduate Assistant CONUASS 01 at TSU earns N237,331.33 while the same rank at Rivers State University earns N559,577.49.

Professor CONUASS 07 Step 10 at TSU earns N1,002,801.94 while at Rivers State University the same rank earns N3,355,231.10. Professor CONUASS 07 Step 7 at TSU earns N984,806.69 while Graduate Assistant at Delta State University Abraka earns N503,574.00 and Professor CONUASS 07 Step 10 at Delta State University earns N1,667,280.00. Benue State University also pays higher than TSU," he added.

Mbave disclosed that TSU staff sacrificed arrears in the interest of industrial harmony, as the 30% National Minimum Wage and the 25%/35% wage award were never implemented at TSU and no arrears were paid.

He noted that Bauchi State was among the first in the North to implement all the wage adjustments and CATA without constituting committees.

The union urged the public to disregard false claims and demanded full implementation of the 2025 FG-ASUU agreement and payment of outstanding arrears.

TSU-ASUU Shuts Down Varsity indefinitely

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University (ASUU-TSU) Chapter on Monday declared a total, comprehensive and indefinite shuts down of the institution's activities.

This according to the union chairman, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbave, in a statement, explained that the decision follows the continued delay by governor Agbu Kefas to implement the union's demands.

"The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University (ASUU-TSU) Chapter, wishes to inform the general public that it has resolved to commence a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action with immediate effect from 12th October, 2026.

The action is based on two key demands:

1. Immediate implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU remuneration agreement at Taraba State University.

2. Immediate payment of all accrued salary arrears from January 2026 to the date and full implementation of the agreed remuneration structure.

"The Union wishes to state that it has demonstrated considerable patience, responsibility and commitment to dialogue throughout this process. Since February 2026, ASUU-TSU has engaged the Taraba State Government on the matter, leading to the constitution of a verification committee to assess the existing salary structure and level of implementation across the North East.

"The verification exercise was concluded with the report presented 24th September, 2026. Following government's appeal and request for additional time from the Office of the Head of Civil Service, the Union suspended its planned industrial action in the interest of industrial harmony.

"However, the continued delay in implementation despite the completion of these processes has compelled the Union to commence this industrial action.

"ASUU-TSU wishes to emphasise that this action is not a rejection of dialogue. The Union remains open to meaningful and constructive engagement with government and relevant stakeholders. Such engagement, however, must be sincere, timely and directed towards achieving a definite resolution.

"We call on the Taraba State Government to respect the processes already concluded and take immediate steps towards implementing the agreed remuneration framework and settling all outstanding arrears.

"We urges the public to understand that this struggle is about ensuring fairness, protecting the dignity of university workers and upholding the sanctity of agreements reached in good faith". The statement declared.

10-Year-Old Abia Rep Emerges First Runner-Up At Little Miss Nigeria 2026

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

Ten-year-old Ambassador Virtuosa Ihechiziterem Ikemezuo-Chintuo, representing Abia State, has emerged first runner-up at the grand finale of the 2026 Little Miss Nigeria Pageant.

Virtuosa finished second behind eventual winner, Aisha Salau Audu, in the keenly contested national finale that paraded talented young contestants from across the federation.

The 10-year-old prodigy also went home with a cash prize of N300,000 and clinched the Little Miss Nigeria Photogenic title for her poise, confidence and stage presence.

The grand finale featured cultural presentations, intellectual tests and creative showcases that celebrated Nigeria's diverse heritage while instilling leadership values in the girl-child.

Statement by the organisers said the Little Miss Nigeria initiative goes beyond conventional pageantry and provides a developmental platform to nurture intellect, build self-confidence, foster national consciousness and instill positive character in young girls.

They commended judges, corporate partners, parents and guardians for supporting the successful execution of the 2026 edition.

Police to deploy more personnel after hoodlums attack female hostel in Taraba

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Taraba State Police Command has promised to deploy more security personnel to student hostels and other vulnerable areas following the attack on the college of nursing sciences' female hostel in the early hours of Saturday.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Didango Shehu gave the assurance while confirming the incident to journalists in Jalingo on Monday.

Didango said the Command has received report of the invasion where suspected hoodlums attacked a female hostel located outside the main campus of the institution and dispossessed students of their belongings.

He said the police is aware that one of the female students was allegedly raped during the attack, adding that investigation has commenced to arrest the perpetrators.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police has directed for immediate deployment of more patrol teams to the affected community and other student-dominated areas to forestall further occurrence.

He assured students and the general public that the police would not relent in its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property in the state.

According to students, the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday when suspected hoodlums invaded the hostel while students were asleep and attacked occupants.

The attackers were said to have dispossessed several students of their mobile phones, money and other personal belongings, with one female student allegedly raped during the invasion.

The development sparked tension among students, leading to a peaceful protest on Saturday morning, as hundreds of students took to the streets to demand improved security.

The students said the protest was not only about Monday's incident but also about the general insecurity faced by those living outside the institution's premises in private hostels.

They lamented that students who cannot secure accommodation within the school campus are forced to live in isolated areas where they are vulnerable to criminal attacks.

Reacting to the incident, the Deputy Provost of the institution, Mr. Khikando Agyo Yavini, who spoke on behalf of the Provost, Dr. Mrs. Dorcas S. Dugule, said management is collaborating with security agencies to address the situation.

He assured that management is on top of the matter and is working to prevent further occurrence, while appealing to students to remain calm and allow security agencies to carry out their investigations.

Taraba Records 133 Confirmed Lassa Fever Cases, 57 Deaths in 2026

 

 

By Thomas Samuel

Taraba State recorded four suspected cases of Lassa fever, one confirmed case and one death during August 2026, according to the state’s Monthly Epidemiological Bulletin.

The August bulletin of the Taraba State Ministry of Health said the death occurred in neighbouring Gombe State, while the latest positive case reported in Taraba was recorded in Karim Lamido Local Government Area in epidemiological week thirty-two.

The report showed that between epidemiological weeks thirty-one and thirty-five, one Local Government Area was affected by Lassa fever, with one suspected case, one confirmed case and one death recorded.

Year-to-date figures for epidemiological weeks one to thirty-five showed that the state had recorded 380 suspected cases, 133 confirmed cases and 57 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 42.8 percent.

The bulletin identified Ardo-Kola, Bali and Jalingo as the three Local Government Areas with the highest number of Lassa fever cases, accounting for 85 percent of the total cases recorded.

It said health authorities had provided free treatment to suspected and confirmed cases at designated treatment centres, while community leaders and residents were mobilised to strengthen disease surveillance and promote early reporting.

The State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Technical Working Group also holds weekly meetings to review reports from the Local Government Areas and plan appropriate responses.

The Ministry said it would sustain risk communication and public awareness on Lassa fever, strengthen surveillance across all sixteen Local Government Areas and intensify case finding in hotspot communities.

Meanwhile, the bulletin recorded no suspected cases of measles or yellow fever during August. It, however, reported one suspected case of diphtheria in Jalingo, with no sample collected due to the unavailability of sample collection materials.

The Ministry listed inadequate active case searches in affected communities, shortages of sample collection kits, inadequate logistics for transporting samples, poor health-seeking behaviour and limited data support for timely disease reporting among the challenges facing epidemic response in the state.

It recommended increased support for disease surveillance, sample collection and transportation, the provision of diphtheria sample collection materials and treatment commodities, refresher training for clinicians, improved reporting and intensified community health education.

Taraba Records First Diphtheria Case, One Death in Bali

 

By Thomas Samuel

Taraba State has recorded its first confirmed case of diphtheria, with the disease claiming the life of a patient in Bali Local Government Area.

The State Epidemiologist and Coordinator of Health Security, Dr. Udi Aketemo, disclosed this in an interview with our reporter in Jalingo.

Dr. Aketemo said the confirmed case was recorded in Bali, but the patient died from the bacterial infection before comprehensive clinical management could prevent the fatal outcome.

He said the state initially faced difficulties in diagnosing suspected cases due to a lack of appropriate diagnostic facilities.

According to him, the challenge has now been addressed following the deployment of testing kits and specialised laboratory equipment to the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo.

The development, he said, would strengthen Taraba’s capacity to detect and confirm suspected diphtheria cases more rapidly.

Dr. Aketemo disclosed that fourteen suspected cases were subsequently identified and tested, but all fourteen samples returned negative.

He said the Ministry of Health had activated its public health surveillance system to contain the disease and prevent further transmission, with particular attention being paid to Bali and surrounding communities.

The surveillance system is expected to track suspected cases, monitor high-risk communities and facilitate rapid medical intervention where necessary.

With the confirmation of the case, Taraba has joined the growing number of states in Nigeria battling diphtheria, amid ongoing national efforts to contain the vaccine-preventable disease.

Health officials are urging parents and caregivers across the state, particularly in Bali, to ensure that children are fully vaccinated under the routine immunisation programme.

Residents are also advised to report suspected symptoms, including severe sore throat, fever and difficulty breathing, to the nearest health facility without delay.

Authorities say sustained surveillance, early detection and community awareness will be critical to preventing further spread of diphtheria in the state.

ASUU-TSU gives gov Kefas fresh 14-day deadline, threatens lawful action

 

By Godwin Agia, Taraba 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University, Jalingo Branch, has issued a final 14-day ultimatum to the state government to address the outstanding provisions of the FGN/ASUU 2025 Agreement.

The Union urged the government to take concrete steps toward full implementation of the outstanding provisions, adding that it will consider lawful measures to protect members’ interests if the issues remain unresolved after the notice expires.

In a statement issued to journalists and signed by the chairman, Dr Joshua Garba Mbave, ASUU- TSU,  also expressed that the final notice is effective from 14th September, 2026, to 28th September, 2026.

The Union noted that some key provisions of the FGN/ASUU 2025 agreement were yet to be fulfilled by the state government and require urgent attention.

"While we acknowledge the Government’s commitment to industrial harmony and dialogue, we wish to note that some key provisions of the Agreement remain outstanding and require urgent attention.

"We appreciate the efforts of the Taraba State Government towards addressing issues affecting the University and implementing the FGN/ASUU 2025 Agreement.

Consequently, ASUU-TSU issues a final 14-day notice effective from 14th September, 2026, to 28th September, 2026, urging the government to take concrete steps toward full implementation of the outstanding provisions. The Union remains committed to peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue but may consider lawful measures to protect members’ interests if the issues remain unresolved after the expiration of the notice.

"While we urge all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at maintaining a stable and productive academic environment at Taraba State University, we hope for prompt action to sustain stability and uninterrupted academic activities at the University". The statement read.

Correspondent reports that the ASUU-TSU branch, on 13th August 2026, issued a 14-day ultimatum, calling on Governor Agbu Kefas and the Taraba State Government to fully implement the agreement or face industrial action at the University 

However, the ultimatum elapsed on 26th August, 2026, without concrete and verifiable action by the government, while no industrial action was considered at the University by the Union due to the institution's combined convocation that was scheduled within the period.