NYSC swears in 1,600 corps members in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has sworn in 1,600 corps members of the 2024 batch 'B' stream ii set, deployed to Taraba State for the one-year mandatory national service.

The Taraba State NYSC coordinator, Mr Ella Aji Williams disclosed this on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony at the NYSC orientation camp in Sibere, Ardo-kola local government area of the State.

According to him more corps members are still reporting to the camp.

He urged the newly sworn-in corps members to participate in all the activities in the camp to have a successful service year.

Williams said the orientation exercise would provide them with the opportunity to learn vocational skills and set up businesses instead of searching for jobs after they one-year national service.

The coordinator commended the State Governor, Dr Agbu kefas for his continuous assistance to the NYSC scheme in the State.

"I consider it important to remind you that the orientation course encompasses Para-military Drills, Socials, Sanitation, Lectures,  Sports, and noble self-developing Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programs amongst others. You are required to actively participate in the scheduled programs of the orientation course as it would increasingly prepare and equip you physically and mentally to face the rigor and challenges of the service year" he said.

Declaring the three weeks orientation programme open, governor Agbu kefas of Taraba State urged the corps members to avoid any act that would divide them.

Kefas, represented by the Chief of Staff Government House, Dr Jeji Williams, advised the Corps members to exhibit a highest degree of loyalty, dedication, discipline and commitment to national ideals.

"As you may be aware, the scheme has done very well in the promotion of National unity Integration, promotion of discipline and has helped vigorously to contribute to the accelerated growth and development of the Nation's economy as well as the fair distribution of skilled manpower. In this vein, I urge you all to settle down and interact freely with the camp officials in the camp and begin p to learn the best ways to contribute your quota to the growth and development of the state.

"I implore you to sustain the high level of discipline and responsibility you have demonstrated so far, and in particular after the swearing-in ceremony today, especially by remaining resourceful, creative, and compliant with the camp rules and regulations" he said.

The boats meant for 20 passengers are overloaded with over 80 people while crossing the collapsed Namnai bridge in Taraba

 

The situation at the collapsed Namnai bridge site is dire, with commuters and transporters facing immense difficulties crossing the river. 

Our correspondent, who recently visited the area, reports that people attempting to cross the river using engine boats encounter numerous challenges.

Canoes are being used in large numbers to convey passengers, while engine boats meant for 20 passengers are overloaded with over 80 people, posing a significant risk to lives. 

Although, the three ferries observed are carrying vehicles, with each ferry limited to two buses or cars, people are also boarding the ferries. The engine boats charge ₦500 per passenger, while cars pay ₦5,000 to cross.

Both the engine boats and ferries are capitalizing on the situation, making significant profits. 

Teenage girls selling food and local kunu drinks are also benefiting from the situation, as stranded passengers have no choice but to purchase from them.

Passengers who spoke to our correspondent appealed to the federal government to urgently address the situation and provide assistance to passengers and vehicles. They also urged the state government to provide preliminary support by deploying more ferries and boats to facilitate easy crossing.

Another bridge collapses in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Mayo Kham bridge along Jalingo Bali road has collapsed due to massive floods.

Our Correspondent who visited the location of the bridge at Mayo-Kham in Bali local government area of Taraba on Sunday reports that the 45 year old bridge which is 88.5 klm away from Jalingo was seriously affected after hours of rain fall.

Commuters resulted in using old bridge as an alternative for vehicles, though heavy duty trucks could not pass on the narrow colonial bridge the gesture he said would cripple business activities in the area.

The collapsed bridge is linking several communities including Gembu in Sardauna, Kurmi, Gashaka and Takum local government areas.

Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, Controller, Federal Ministry of Works in Taraba said that the there had not been indicators and early signs of the disaster. However, said that there could be an emergency measure either by community efforts or any form of intervention to enable movement over the bridge.

He advised the public to avoid passage on the bridge pending when the bridge would be fixed.

He also assured the public that he would make his report to the relevant authorities for quick intervention on the bridge.

Some persons from the surrounding communities who spoke with our correspondent, made called on the state government to as a matter of urgency address the challenge. 

According to them, the development will not only hinder movement, it will also impact negatively on farming activities.

"Transporting our farm products to the nearby markets will no doubt also be affected if the government failed to fixed it in time," one of the local farmers said.

Our Correspondent reports that the disaster is coming two days after  a similar scenario in Namnai, Gassol Local Government Area,  where the major bridge linking Jalingo and Wukari as well as other parts of southern Nigeria was washed away by flood.

Insecurity: Lawmaker condemns attacks, killing of Registrar, lecturer and 4 travelers in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The member representing Takum, Donga and Ussa federal constituency, Hon. Mark Bako Useni has strongly condemned the Monday morning killings of the Registrar, lecturer and four other commuters along Takum/Wukari road by the suspected bandits.

In a statement, Hon mark condemned in strong terms the barbaric killing of 6 commuters along Takum- Wukari road. 

According to the statement, "This unfortunate incidence is coming a few weeks after the Chief of Chanchanji was murdered together with his son on the same road. My heartfelt goes out to the families of the 6 victims of the dastard act. 

"These criminal elements have also evolved a wicked strategy of following local farmers to their farm to kidnap for ransom, a situation which will aggravate the hunger being experienced in the land.

"I want to call on communities along the Taraba/ Benue border on both sides to step up local intelligence and vigilance to make work easy for security agencies in protecting the areas. 

While appreciating Taraba state Governor Dr Agbu Kefas for his usual prompt action towards security concerns, "I wish to implore strong synergy between Taraba and Benue state Governments towards tackling the hydra headed problem.  

"As a Representative of the people I am already reaching out to my colleagues of the two Federal Constituencies on the Benue side to offer our support to the two Governors to securing our people.

"I urge the affected communities to continue to be calm and allow security agencies to contain with the situation", statement added.

NEMA provides succour to windstorm affected communities in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA has provided food items to communities affected by the recent windstorm in Takum which rendered several households homeless. 

The intervention was in response to a request by the Member representing Takum/Donga/ Ussa Federal Constituency Rt Hon Mark Useni, to the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar.

The communities to benefit includes Dutse, Gahwetun, Tikari , Rogo and Manya wards in Takum local government. 

Hon Mark recalled that he had earlier provided roofing materials to the victims and thanked the Federal Government for yielding to his request for the people. 

He encouraged the people to support the Tinubu administration to succeed in its economic policies which will bring development and stability to the country.

The food items included 439 bags of rice, 439 bags of Maize , tomatoes paste, cooking oil and seasoning cubes.

#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest commences in Taraba despite calls

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

Hundreds of youth and women have started #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

Our Correspondent, who monitored  the situation in Jalingo reports that, Protesters, who gathered at the Angwan Gadi, Emir of Jalingo's round-about marched to government house junction, and thereafter, proceeded to Barde/Hanmaruwa way causing traffic jam.

As they move, several other Youths who were waiting patiently in several strategic areas joined as the numbers of protesters continue to increases.

some of the youths carrying placards and the rest chanting, "Bamu a yinka" "Mai kaman da biri" now numbering over 500 are marching through the busy Jalingo roads.

Some of their placards inscriptions reads, "Bring back fuel subsidy" "End Hunger" among others.