NGO blames ineffective PHC in Taraba on funding and advocacy gaps

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Association of Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization, and Nutrition (ACOMIN) on Friday identified funding and inadequate advocacy as major factors hindering the effective operations of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Taraba State.

At a press conference in Jalingo, ACOMIN State Chairman Alhaji Tanko Danburam said most Primary Health Centres in the state were not functional, and that the few that do operate are often unable to provide essential healthcare services due to inadequate funding.

Danburam noted further that many PHCs in the state were either locked or lack essential facilities and adequate manpower. 

He attributed the development to a lack of funding, non-implementation of policies, shortage of personnel, and a lack of political will among others.

While elaborating on ACOMIN’s intervention through Community Led Monitoring (CLM), which focuses on gathering input from service providers, recipients of services, and affected communities, Danburam said the initiative help to drive actions aimed at eradicating malaria in Taraba communities.

"Addressing the barriers to malaria elimination requires a combination of prevention strategies, improved access to diagnostics and treatment, health education, and community partnerships. 

"We urge governments at all levels, the private sector, stakeholders, and community leaders to commit to increase funding  and resources for primary healthcare to support robust public health programmes at the community level.

"Community members should actively support their local PHCs through advocacy, volunteering, and resource donation which  is vital for the sustainability and effectiveness of the centres."

Danburam also shared 28 success stories from nine local government areas and called for persistent and strategic action to make significant progress towards malaria elimination.

Taraba Correspondent's Chapel lauds Gov Kefas for appointing two of its members as Special Advisers

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The leadership and members of the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Taraba State warmly welcome the appointment of two of its members, Mrs. Janet Audu of Daily Independent Newspapers and Mr. Justin Tyopuusu of The PUNCH newspapers, as aides to the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas.

In a statement, the Chapel's Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Yough, on Thursday Indicate that, The honour bestowed upon her members to serve in the government marks the first time such recognition has been extended to the Correspondents' Chapel of the NUJ in Taraba State.

According to the statement, "we express our heartfelt appreciation to the Governor for setting a precedent that his counterparts across the country can emulate.

"We believe the Governor's decision to include practicing journalists in his cabinet echoes the high regard he has for the Press and the capacity of journalists to ensure the government delivers on its promises to the people.

"We are confident that the two journalists will bring their vast experience to bear on Governor Kefas' youth-driven administration in the best interests of Tarabans, who voted him into office.

"As journalists and partners to the government, we will continue to discharge our duties professionally as watchdogs, while also projecting the government and its policies to the outside world in a positive light where necessary" statement added.

Former Takum LGA chairman Shiban Tikari who is on the police wanted list has been appointed special adviser to Gov. Kefas Agbu.

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

Taraba state governor Dr. Agbu Kefas has appointed Mr. Shiban Tikari who is on the police wanted list over the killing of a lawmaker Hosea Ibi in 2017.

The state commissioner of police CP. David Iloyanomon disclosed during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Jalingo few weeks ago that, police are seriously searching to get the former Takum local government council chairman, Mr. Shiban Tikari as directed by the Taraba state chief judge, Justice Joel Agya in connection with the murder of a member of the Taraba state House of Assembly, Mr. Hosea Ibi in 2017.

Our correspondent recall that, two suspects in connection with Mr. Ibi's killing, were in early April 2024, sentenced to life imprisonment for complicity in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the former legislator after confessing that (Tikari), the then Takum local government council chairman instructed them to perpetrate the act.

The commissioner of police also said, the command in collaboration with other sister agencies, would hunt harder for whereabout of the former council chairman who was mentioned in the case as principal suspect as confessed by all the convicted suspect as one who directed them to abduct and killed the former legislator.

Meanwhile, governor Kefas in his over 100 man list of advisers, special advisers and community advisers, saw Mr. Shiban Tikari the former Takum local government council chairman who is on the police wanted list, as adviser.

Taraba State Chief Justice tasks judges to uphold integrity and impartiality

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

Hon. Justice Joel Agya, the Taraba Chief Judge (CJ), on Friday charged Magistrates and Area Court Judges to uphold integrity, impartiality and justice in the discharge of their duties.

Agya swearing-in at a swearing -in ceremony of three new magistrates and seven area court judges in Jalingo.

The CJ explained  that magistrates and area courts have the jurisdiction to try both criminal and civil cases in Taraba.

"The importance of Magistrates and areas courts in the administration of justice cannot be overemphasized.

"It is estimated that 90 per cent of the criminal cases that get tried, commence at the magistrates while 80 per cent of those cases terminate there.

"This is why they are referred to grassroots grassroots courts' as they are in direct contact with the population," he said.

Agya also urged the magistrates and area court judges to ensure they make the right decisions that would bring satisfaction.

"Do not be swayed by  popular opinion, as it is not the job of a judge to please everyone and anyone. Let me remind you that the work of a judge requires someone with strong intellect and independent thinking," he said.

He commended Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba for significantly  increasing the overhead cost for the judiciary, saying all categories of judges were now being paid runncostscost and were also attending relevant workshops on regular basis.

Mr Yakubu Maikasuwa -SAN, Taraba Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, urged the judges to always uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as they discharge their duties.

In his response on behalf of the new judges, Magistrate Simon Tobi pledged the commitment of the magistrates and area court judges to uphold the ethics of the bench in discharging their duties.

Court sentences 2 over Cannabis and Psychotropic Substances in Taraba

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

 

A Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo on Thursday sentenced 2 men to 1 year and 6 months imprisonment for dealing in cannabis and psychotropic substances.

Justice Salim Ibrahim sentenced the convicts to various jail terms after pleading guilty to the 2 and 4-count charges preferred against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The convicted persons, 44-year-old Baba Usman and Ammar Abdullahi (22) were arranged in Court on the 10th of June where they pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ibrahim averred that it is a trite principle of law that where a defendant pleads guilty to a non-capital offence and the Court is satisfied that he understood the charge and intended to admit all the ingredients of the offence by pleading guilty to the charge, the next thing is for the Court to convict and sentence the defendant.

He further stated that having heard the confessional/admission of the defendants, the evidence adduced by the prosecution as well as the exhibits tendered, the Court is convinced of the commission of the offences in the charges by the defendants.

He held that having heard the plea of Allocutus by counsel to the defendants, A.M. Vakude, Esq, Baba Usman was sentenced to six months imprisonment for the two count charges without option of fine from the date of incarceration at the NDLEA facility which are to run concurrently.

In the same vein, Justice Ibrahim sentenced Ammar Abdullahi to one-year imprisonment for the four count charges without the option of a fine from the date of incarceration at the NDLEA facility which is to run concurrently.