Your security, welfare our top priority, Gov Agbu assures corps members

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas on Tuesday, assured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), deployed to serve in Taraba State that, their security and welfare remained a top priority of his administration.

Dr Agbu gave the assurance during the swear-in ceremony for the 2023 Batch 'C' steam ii orientation course at Sibre in Ardo-kola local government area of the State.

Represented by the State commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Joseph Joshua, Agbu urged corps members posted to the State to have nothing to fear, as his administration will protect them during their stay in the State. 

"Let me first of all congratulate all of you for going through school and getting mobilized for this orientation program. It is indeed the dream of any serious young person to wear this regalia you are putting on now and to go through this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The idea is for you to explore new horizons, meet new people, go to new places, and above all, serve your fatherland while preparing yourself for life after school.

"Here in Taraba, my administration has declared free and compulsory primary and secondary school education. This is because we take the education of our children very seriously and must do whatever it takes to get them off the streets and into the classrooms. 

"It is not enough to mobilize the children back to school if necessary measures are not put in place to ensure that they get quality education. That is why the state government is going the extra mile to ensure that we improve the physical infrastructure in our schools and boost the manpower to confirm with the influx of new population.

"It is therefore our understanding that Corps Members have a vital role to play towards the actualization of this goal. Consequently, we have put in place measures to ensure that your welfare is greatly augmented by the state government. We would equally prioritize your security at all times. Security is a major challenge but we are working relentlessly to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizens, wherever they may be.

"I therefore welcome you all to Taraba State, Nature's gift to the nation. I urge you to take this orientation program seriously and conduct yourselves with decorum, respecting our cultural and social diversification and orientation" Kefas said.

Taraba State Coordinator of the Scheme Mr  Anthony Nzoka in his remarks commended the state government for the continued support towards the success of the Scheme in the state and assured that the state will enjoy unalloyed support of the Scheme at all times.

Nzoka urged the Corps Members to take the orientation program seriously, especially the SAED program where they are expected to learn practical skills that will help them even beyond the service year.

"Your service year comes and goes in a flash. Before you know what is happening, you are already preparing for passing out. It is therefore very important for you to be very deliberate with everything from the onset. Whatever you wish to achieve, start it now. 

"In the days ahead, you will be merged into various groups to learn various skills. Please, do not take this for granted. It is a very important component of this service year and can make all the difference. The knowledge you will acquire here could become a life changer for you. White-collar jobs are becoming increasingly scarce and you must begin to think out of the box. This starts with paying close attention to everything that goes on here in the course of these three weeks" Nzoka said.

2023 measles vaccination commences in Taraba

 

By Thomas Samuel 

Taraba State Government has flagged off the measles vaccination campaign in the state.

The program that drew women and children from different parts of the metropolis was held at Magami Primary Health Care Center Jalingo.

Declaring the campaign open, the Galadima Muri Abba Tukur Abba expressed hope that this year's measles vaccination campaign will raise the indices of vaccinated children in Taraba.

He said the traditional council will open a forum that will handle cases of parents who might reject the administration of the vaccine on their children.

The Galadima Muri said the measles vaccine has reduced the number of children who would have lost their lives to the disease and promised to support the campaign to succeed.

Speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Agency Tukura Nuhu Nyigwa said the measles vaccination was for children from nine to five years of age.

He said the vaccination exercise will last for seven days starting from today Saturday twenty-fifth of November to the first of December twenty twenty-three.

The ES Tukura Nuhu Nyigwa who was represented by the Director Immunization Kenneth Tijos appreciated the Agbu Kefas administration for the enormous support to the agency to drive healthcare services in Taraba.

 He said like in successive campaigns against other preventable diseases with the support from stakeholders and the public the measles vaccination exercise will be a success.

In their separate goodwill messages, the representatives of the World Health Organization, WHO, UNICEF, and the National Primary Health Development Agency, all commended the state of primary health care and stressed that the campaign was strategic in enhancing the well-being of future generations.

They call on the public to look at the exercise as a collective responsibility for all and pledged their continuous support to the healthcare system in Taraba.

Bandits have killed ten persons in southern Taraba

By Ande Audu

Ten people have been killed by bandits in Jenuwa Nyitsu, Yangtu Special Development Area of the state.

The Coordinator of Yangtu Special Development Area Emmanuel Madaki confirmed the killing to our Takum Zonal correspondent.

Madaki said the unfortunate event took place early hours of yesterday when the victims were heading to their farms.

The Yangtu coordinator said despite the Peace Accord that was signed by both farmers and herders to cease fire for peace to reign, there was always unwanton killing of farmers in their farms.

Emmanuel Madaki expressed worrisome faulted the resurgence of killings in the area as a result of headers refusing to honor the agreement signed sometime back for them to vacate the area during the rainy season and return during the dry season.

The Coordinator of Yangtu Special Development Area Emmanuel Madaki appealed to the state Governor Doctor Agbu Kefas to consider the plights faced by his people and nip the unwarranted situation in the bud.

The State Police Command PPRO DSP Abdullahi Usman who also confirmed the incident said the joint patrol of security compromised of Police, mobile police and the 93 battalion army have since been deployed to the scene.

He noted that the security agencies are doing their best to sustain peace in the area.

Fintiri to bag Best Governor of the Year

 

EZEKIEL DONTINNA

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has broken all feats based on the online nomination and voting by the public to emerge the Best Governor of the Year, 2023 Award as monitored and confirmed by the Nigeria Service Award Panel of Jury held from September 14-24, 2023.

The award which would be presented by the COA Media Group, the organizers of the Nigeria Service Awards, November 30, 2023, at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Abuja is set to have Rt. Hon. Fintiri is an outstanding recipient who has impacted positively in the lives of Nigerians.

Findings revealed that the prestigious Nigeria Service Awards; the third in a row, is held annually and It recognizes, honors, and promotes outstanding individuals and institutions across both public and private sectors who score excellently with outstanding performances in the political, social, and economic spheres of the country.

However, Rt. Hon Ahmadu Fintiri, who has been voted as Governor of the Year Recipient by Nigerians both at home and diaspora, is a Nigerian politician who has served as Governor of Adamawa State since 2019 and still serving, having been re-elected to serve for the second term.

Before he emerged as Governor of Adamawa State in 2019, he was an Honorable member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly representing Magadali Constituency from 2007 to 2011 and was re-elected, where he later emerged as the Speaker of the House and endeavored to have largely impacted the state positively in the year under review.

Among some of the great impacts he has made in Adamawa State since he assumed power in 2019 as governor, included: interventions in payment of WAEC/NECO fees to the entire public school candidates in the state; revamping the security facilities of the state by purchasing and distributing security Hilux Vans, drones and motorcycles, as well as great improvements in the area of health, infrastructure, agriculture, water supply, electrification and the economy, just to mention a few.

Born on October 27, 1967, in Gulak of Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Fintiri, grew up with the consciousness of Western education and religious knowledge primacy, both of which he struggled to acquire at an early age, where he had his early primary school in Central Primary School Gulak from 1975-1981.

In pursuit of further education, he then enrolled in Government Day Secondary School, Gulak, and Government Secondary School Michika from 1981-1986 and later obtained his first degree in History from the University of Maiduguri in 1992 and subsequently, a Post Graduate Diploma in Policy and Strategic Studies from the same university in 2004 respectively.

No wonder, most of his teachers, mentors, and contemporaries rated him as an outstanding student-athlete throughout his early years and that truly proved itself as he held several leadership positions in the House of Assembly before being elected as Speaker, which was a position he held up until 2015.

Fintiri, also served as Acting Governor twice in Adamawa State, though all so brief but were greatly memorable. He became the Acting Governor of Adamawa State following the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako in July 2014, until October 1, 2014.

Fintiri is married to Lami Ahmadu Fintiri and they have three children.

Gov. Agbu promises to enhance welfare for Corps members in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has on Tuesday pledged to enhance the welfare of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to the State.

Agbu gave the pledge today at the Passing Out Parade of the 2023 Batch 'C' stream 1 orientation course held at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Sibre, Ardo-kola local government area.

He noted that the scheme has over the years played a vital role in enhancing national integration, and social, cultural, and physical development of the country and urged the Corps members to sustain the tempo.

The governor enjoined the corps members to be in the vanguard of promoting national unity in line with the fundamental objectives of the scheme.

He promised to prioritize their security and welfare irrespective of any parts of the State they are posted to.

"You know the security challenges in the country now, but I assure you that your security and welfare are guaranteed". He said.

Earlier, NYSC State Coordinator, Mr Anthony Nzoka, thanked the Governor for his unflinching support and assistance to the NYSC scheme in the State.

"I want to thank the governor, Dr Agbu Kefas for the provision of five hundred (500) Mattresses and meal subsidy and generous support of camp activities during the 2023 Batch 'B' stream ii orientation course.

"During this orientation course, we received the good news of the magnanimous approval of One thousand five hundred mattresses, two thousand plastic chairs, funds for meal subsidy, and generous support of other camp activities.

"We also acknowledge the news of the generous allowance and welfare packages for Corps members who will be posted to serve in schools." He said.

The coordinator further enjoined the corps members to uphold good morals, interact, and integrate freely with their host communities starting from the camp.

NYCN Ussa Chapter Congratulates The Council's Chairman Amb Peter Stephen Shewum

The National Youth Council of Nigeria Ussa chapter felicitates with Ambassador Peter Stephen Shewum on his well-deserved victory at the just concluded Local Government poll and successful swear-in as the 7th executive chairman of Ussa Local Government Council.

In a statement by Comrade  John Rimamri Sangwayan Jnr expressed satisfaction with the significant improvement in the conduct of the poll by the state electoral umpire over her previous records and the prospect of eliminating fewer challenges. 

NYCN Ussa wishes Amb Peter Stephen Shewum success as he takes up the responsibilities and challenges of the office and assures the executive chairman and the people of Ussa LGA of the continued support in the interest of the Youths and the general development of Ussa and its people.

National Youth Council of Nigeria Ussa looks forward to working with you not only to develop closer relations between your government and the Youths but to also chart a cause for peace and the brotherhood of all peoples.

The Youth leader expressed depth of gratitude to His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, The Governor of Taraba State for his support that facilitated the smooth conduct of the election in the state.

PDP wins councils elections in all the16 LGAs of Taraba State.

 

By Ismaila Ibrahim

 Executive Chairman of Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission, Doctor Philip Danladi Duwe, has announced the winners of the November eighteenth council Elections in the State.

Doctor Philip Danladi Duwe said after the completion of the election process, candidates who certified with the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes cast must be declared winner.

The chairman declared Peoples' Democratic Party, and its candidates as the winner of all the sixteenth local government chairmanship seats of the State.

Danladi Duwe further explained that PDP scored 65,597 in Ardo Kola, 104,988 in Gassol, 93,909 in Wukari 62,072 in Sardauna 89,789 in Bali Local government areas among others.

He expressed gratitude for the peaceful conduct of the just concluded Councils in the State.

Philip Duwe lauded media, Non-Governmental Organisations, NOGs, Tarabans, and political parties among others for making the November eighteenth Council Elections a successful one.

Taraba State Government organizes digital competitions for youths.

 

By Peace Japheth 

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Innovation has organized a competition tagged “Hackathon” for youths in Taraba State.

The event was held from the thirteenth to the fifteenth of November twenty twenty-three at the Tim Royal Hotel in Jalingo.

The competition tagged “ moving forward through digital innovations” was targeted at engaging youths to contribute to digital innovation.

 The governor, Doctor Agbu Kefas who was represented by his deputy Aminu Alkali applauded the ministry for the innovation and encouraged Tarabans to continue to support the Kefas-led administration.

He said the event came at a time when the state is struggling with the journey towards digitization, and urged the participants to continue to come up with innovations that will benefit Taraba state.

Responding, the commissioner for Digital Economy and Innovation Gideon Nonso said the hackathon was aimed at looking out for digital solutions to challenges facing Taraba such as security, Agriculture, and Education among many others.

he said Taraba has talented youths who can be able to proffer solutions if given the opportunity.

Ten Ibi residents have lost their lives in a Boat Mishap.

In a tragic incident in Anyeshi, Benue State, a boat carrying residents from Ibi Local Government Area capsized, resulting in the loss of over ten lives.

Isa Mohammed, the Head of Local Government Administrator (HOLGA) in Ibi, confirmed the unfortunate event to our correspondent, noting that the victims have already been laid to rest.

Expressing condolences to the grieving families and the entire Ibi community, HOLGA Isa Mohammed stated that the exact number of individuals on the ill-fated boat is yet to be determined.

In light of this incident, Isa Mohammed urged the residents of Ibi Local Government to refrain from embarking on night voyages in the river to prevent further unforeseen tragedies.

Students stabbed their teacher to death in Jalingo.

 

Students of Model Secondary Jalingo have stabbed their teacher to death.

The teacher whose name was identified as Bassy Sardauna was said to have been stabbed multiple times by some group of students while he was returning home after classes.

A close associate said the deceased was reported to have punished some group of students in the school, the students were said to have regrouped and attacked him.

Mr. Bassy Sardauna was rushed to the Federal Medical Center Jalingo for treatment but died hours later due to excessive bleeding.

The associate said the yet-to-be-identified students left no trace after the attack.

When contacted, the Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer SP Usman Abdullahi said the command has not received any official statement to that effect.

The growing rate of cultism among secondary school students in Jalingo is becoming a source of concern, this is the worst incident in recent times.

Revisit the list of Candidates for Council Polls, Concern Citizens Plead with Gov. Kefas

 

The leadership of the Concerned Citizens of Taraba State has expressed dissatisfaction over the lists of candidates that were selected as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP flag bearers in the forthcoming local government council elections.

The party, it would be recalled, had ordered stakeholders across the LGAs to forward the list of consensus candidates that would contest for the positions of chairmen and councilors in the council polls slated for the 18th of this month.

Following the development, the group, in a statement signed by its coordinator, Abdullahi Ishaya Dominic, the group says for the consensus candidates to be acceptable by the youths, elders and women, and party stakeholders, such persons must have a proven track record of grassroots politicians.

The group, which proposed that the candidates ought to be people residing in the council and accessible to the people, alleged that the reverse has turned out to be the case.

The statement alleges that the candidates chosen for the upcoming council election, do not meet the requirements that warrant them to be selected as consensus candidates

The group urged the governor to insert the right peg in the right hole before election day.

They also called on the governor to come out and address the people of the state over the decisions on the consensus candidates of the various local government areas.

Gov Agbu urges corps members to embrace skill acquisition

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has on Tuesday implored corps members deployed to serve in Taraba to embrace the Skills Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development Programme, SAED during their service year.

Agbu made the call during the swear-in ceremony for the 2023 Batch 'C' stream 1 orientation course at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Sebere in the Ardo-kola local government area of Taraba State. 

He noted that the main focus of the SAED was to ensure that after service, they became employers of labour, as people no longer relied on the Government for, 'white collar' jobs.

The Governor who was represented by the Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs. Indo Maxson, Agbu enjoined them to key into the array of training activities lined up for the orientation exercise.

"My dear corps members, the orientation course is the gateway into the NYSC scheme. As you go through this induction exercise, I enjoin you to key into the array of training activities lined up for the orientation exercise".

"It is imperative to inform you that, Taraba is a Mini-Nigeria. It is a State that is richly endowed with diverse natural and human resources. No wonder, it is referred to as "Nature's gift to the Nation". He said

Speaking earlier, the Taraba State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Anthony Nzoka disclosed at the event that,  the Paramilitary drills, socials, and sporting activities as well as lectures on

topical national issues Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme, and leadership training, are some of the key activities deliberately designed to enhance their capacity. 

Mr. Anthony Nzoka also urged the Corps members to exhibit high moral ideals, commitment, resilience, and a sense of responsibility as they go through the training.

"I enjoin you all to remain steadfast, committed, and law-abiding at all times. Obey camp rules and regulations. Begin now to strategize and plan on how best to contribute your quota to the growth and development of Taraba State and the nation at large." Nzoka disclosed.

Our correspondent reports that a total of 1,319 corps members deployed to the State completed their registration and were sworn in by the State chief judge's representative, Justice Nuhu Adi.

We did not endorse any candidate: Ussa NYCN

 

National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ussa local government chapter has distant itself from numerous endorsements of candidates by youth groups toward the forthcoming council election.

In a statement by the Ussa local government NYCN coordinator Rimamri John Sangwayan said the youth council has not endorsed any candidate for the chairmanship position.

"NYCN Ussa wishes to emphasize that these endorsements and counter-endorsements are baseless, uncalled for, and do not reflect the true interest of Ussa Youths."

It noted that most of the endorsements and counter-endorsements were born out of the selfish desires of a few individuals who wanted to be appointed counselors and political aids.

The statement drew the attention of Ussa youth to the task of building a formidable society thereby focusing on personal gains will not lead them anywhere.

It added that those behind the said endorsement and counter endorsement are not recognized youth groups hence the need for Ussa youths to disregard them.

In what the NYCN coordinator described as embarrassing to the entire youth body, the statement assures the youth that the NYCN is keenly following happenings and will ensure that everyone is carried along.

"These persons have displayed what could best be described as embarrassing by going ahead to endorsed and counter-endorsed individuals who have shown interest in chairmanship positions in the Ussa Local Government Council on different platforms," it added 

It appeals to the youths to disregard agents and carriers of fake news who do not mean well to the people.

"We urge all Youths to remain vigilant and avoid agents and carriers of fake news. By doing so, we can safeguard the integrity of the youth body and build a future where the interests of all would represented and respected."

Twelve thousand farmers in Taraba to benefit from IFAD-VCDP program

By Keke Moses

 Taraba State Project Coordinator Value Chain Development Program Irimiya Musa said they are committed to boosting food production in Taraba State.

Irimiya Musa in an interview with our reporter in Jalingo, said the project which focuses its activities on rice and cassava has profiled twelve thousand farmers to benefit from its intervention.

Musa revealed that in its eight years of operations in Taraba State, about fifty percent of farmers profiled have been assisted in boosting their production.

The State Project Coordinator said the Value Chain Development Program is bent on providing facilities such as shops, tents, warehouses, and solar-powered boreholes among others to support the activities of farmers in Taraba.

Irimiya Musa said they championed the course of assisting farmers from production and processing to marketing over the years.

The SPC added that seedlings, agrochemicals, fertilizers, and herbicides for farmers as well as linking them to buyers is also the component of the project.

He said that the program also offers capacity building and training for farmers on how to convert their produce to confectioneries such as cakes, biscuits, and rice milk.

Musa said they extended their services to eight local government areas of the state the Ardo Kola, Gassol, Bali, Jalingo, Wukari, Donga, Karim lamido, and Takum.

I am a PDP card-carrying member, Peter Shanwun fires back .

 

By Maino Tanimu

The conscious candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, for the Ussa local government area  Peter Shanwun, has debunked the rumor that he is not a  PDP card-carrying member.

In an interview in Jalingo, Peter Shanwun said he has been a card-carrying member of the PDP since twenty twenty-two and has not decamped to any party since then.

He said the photos of him and APC stakeholders circulating on social media were taken in June when stakeholders visited Abuja and have nothing personal or party affiliations.

Shanwun further disclosed that he has never been an APC member but a card-carrying member of the PDP. 

Peter Shanwun called on the people of Ussa to disregard the rumor as it is mere propaganda geared towards spoiling his political ambition in the forthcoming local government elections on the 18th of this month.

The candidate came under heavy criticism after he was shortlisted as the consensus candidate of the party, his photos and stalwarts of the APC were seen on social media.

Some aggrieved members of the PDP in the council tagged his emergency as an injustice to the dedicated members calling for his substitution.

Ex-Taraba Lawmaker denies slapping allegation saying is handiwork of mischief makers

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

A former majority leader in the Taraba State House of Assembly and a Chieftain of the People's Democratic Party, Hon. Capt.  Douglas Ndatse (rtd) on Friday denied a rumor making the rounds that he slapped people during a PDP stakeholder meeting at Government House. 

Ndatse, a two-time member representing Donga State Constituency in the State House House of Assembly described it as baseless and mischievous, the interview credited to one Garerie Suntai who purportedly claimed he slapped anyone at sight during a PDP stakeholders meeting and challenged Suntai to name any witness at the said meeting where the incident happened. 

"It is unfortunate that some people will just sit and form stories to tarnish one's hard-earned image. I did not slap anybody and I am not against zoning. 

"We the PDP stakeholders in Donga sat and agreed that the Chairman should come from the Ikpan clan. Unfortunately, Hon. Istifanus Gbana who is the Chairman of Ikpanzum stakeholders where the Chairmanship is zoned during their meeting could not arrive at a consensus candidate, rather they presented seven aspirants to the PDP Special Project Committee for the Governor to select one person. 

"It is laughable to say I am against zoning when we all sat and zoned the positions to carry the tribes in the Local Government along. In the meeting, Ichen was given the Vice Chairmanship seat while Tiv took Secretary. 

"At the presentation of the report to the PDP Special Project Committee, Elder Kitsubimka raised an observation that some people who claimed to PDP stakeholders were not members of PDP which is true, and Mr. Garelie and his group started insulting elders including myself and we all kept our cool. 

"Gararie Suntai is a boy I brought up politically and I am surprised he could turn and lie against me just to satisfy some interest. There were notable personalities in that meeting, and I want to challenge him to call out the name of a notable personality who witnessed the incident aside from him if he wants to prove to the world that he is not being sponsored to tarnish my image."

The former Majority Leader explained that he only kicked against the name of the Vice Chairmanship Candidate of the party that was announced at the meeting without his knowledge and that of other critical stakeholders in the local government. 

According to him," The Vice Chairman was zoned to Ichen (my tribe) and we sat and said, if the Chairman emerges from Donga South we will pick a vice from the north and vice versa. 

"But to our greatest surprise, even though the Chairmanship position is still being struggled for,  someone penned down the name of someone as Vice against our collective resolve as Ichen people. 

"We discovered at the meeting that several meetings were held without the involvement of Ward Chairmen and even the Acting Chairman of the Local Government. So, only I spoke my mind and many people concur with me. 

"As a party man, I am committed to the victory of PDP and will always speak out when things are going wrong. The allegations that I slapped people at the meeting is baseless, mischievous, and unfounded and I call on my teeming supporters and the public to disregard same," he said.

CSOs advocates strategic work plan to tackle climate change in Taraba.

 

By Thomas Samuel  

The African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ), a Non-governmental organization, in collaboration with OXFAM, have advocated  a State climate change strategic work plan to tackle obvious issues associated with Climate Change in Taraba State.

This was Contained in a communique issued at the end of a two-day workshop organized by the Non-governmental organization to intimate Participants with issues associated with Climate change, how it affects the economy of the state and how it can be quantified

The workshop was also aimed at developing participants' skils on climate change, policies, governance, and financing for sustainable economic growth and development.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop, the Climate Justice Project Coordinator, (AACI Project Lead Nigeria), Mr Kenneth Akpam, noted  at the event that Taraba State based on its location in the Guinea Savanna ecological zone,  with the tropical wet and dry climate and sub-humid climate characteristics, faces certain climate change issues among the global climate change challenges.

He identified such issues as increasing temperatures, more extreme weather events, and more variable rainfall patterns saying that they have negative impact on the states agriculture, water resources, and biodiversity.

The project coordinator said those issues must be collectively addressed for the overall benefit of the citizens and sustainable livelihoods as the world push towards net zero emission and compensation for Loss and Damages as a result of climate Change.

"We are advocating accountability on Climate Change budgeting  for Taraba State. We also want to see how relevant stakeholders can move to advocate for more inclusive budgeting on Climate related issues because, Climate Change has affected every facet of life and we feel that government should be more intentional about it" He added.

He said there must be a working strategy to achieve this and other climate change issues such as late onset of precipitation and early cessation as well as heat waves already causing crop failures and death of livestocks in the State.

Mr Kenneth appreciated the MDAs, CSO and CBO for participating in the two days Workshop and charged participants to take the advocacy to their various communities so that collectively, they would change the State economy narrative.

At the end of the two-day training, members of the organization proceeded to Taraba State Ministry of Environment where they presented to the commissioner, a communique that came out of the robust deliberations on transparency, accountability, and good governance surrounding climate change.

The communique emphasized that Taraba State, just like other states like Lagos, Rivers Delta, Ogun and Cross River, must adopt global best practice in the area of co-creating a short and long-term work plans/framework to mitigate climate change impacts.

Participants at the workshop were drawn from Taraba State House of Assembly, SSG's office, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Works and Infrastructural Development, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Ministry of Water Management and Aquatic Affairs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-governmental Organizations, academia and media organisations among others.

Taraba state government to spend 34 billion on renovation of Stadium

By Joachim Dangana, Jalingo

Taraba State Government is to expend thirty-four billion naira to renovate the Jolly Nyame Stadium and all facilities at the complex.

The Commissioner of Sports Joseph Joshua disclosed this after receiving an award of excellence presented to Governor Agbu Kefas from the Nigeria Volleyball Federation.

He said the proposal for the sum would be presented to the State Executive Council for approval stating that when renovated all sporting activities would pick up.

The Commissioner opined that as contained in the proposal new swimming pool would be constructed at the stadium to meet Olympic standards, upgrade the hotel to three stars, roofing the spectator's stand, and others.

Joshua Joseph encouraged Tarabans mostly youths to embrace sports which is a tool of unity.

He pledged to work with the director of the State Sports Council George Shitta to identify young talents that would take part in future competitions for the State.

On his part, North-East Zonal Representative on the Board of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation NVBF  Stephen Hasso charged the Taraba State Government to bid for the next national sports festival.

He stated that Taraba State is fast becoming the home of volleyball after hosting the first division two volleyball competition last two years.

He said the award presented to the Taraba State Governor Doctor Agbu Kefas by the volleyball federation was for his contribution to Sports development and for sponsoring the twenty twenty-three volleyball star tour in Jalingo.