222 Rustled Cattle have been Recovered and returned to Owners in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

In a bid to combat cattle rustling in Taraba State, a total number of 222 rustled cattle, 58 sheep and rams were recovered and returned to their rightful owners in a ceremony held on Thursday in Jalingo.

The ceremony was performed by a high-powered committee comprising Dr. Aminu Jauro Hassan, Chairman of the Committee on Cattle and Sheep Recovery, the ALGON Chairman, and the Chairmen of Jalingo, Lau, Ardo-kola, and Karim-Lamido Local Government Areas.

According to Dr. Hassan, a total of 198 cows and 58 sheep and rams were released to their owners, while 24 cows remained unclaimed. The recovery process was carried out under severe examination and interrogation.

"I'm happy to announce to you that after interviewing, screening and above all coming with 52 groups to come and look at the cows whether it belongs to them or not we thereafter arrive that this cows belongs to two different groups of people," Dr. Hassan said.

Dr. Hassan explained that the first group owns 198 cows, while the second group owns 2 cows, but even that two is still a subject of contention. The Committee's efforts to ensure that the recovered cows were returned to their rightful owners demonstrate their commitment to justice and fairness.

Dr. Hassan also expressed his gratitude to Governor Agbu Kefas for entrusting his committee with the responsibility of recovering the rustled cattle. The recovery process was a result of the state government's commitment to addressing the issue of cattle rustling.

"The Committee has decided to stepdown 22 cows and release 198 cows to the perceived owners that have after vigorous screening. We have unanimously agreed that the marks describe to the cows reach 90 percent," Dr. Hassan added.

The recovery of the rustled cattle is a welcome relief to the affected farmers and herders, who had suffered significant losses due to the activities of the rustlers. The return of their animals is expected to restore their livelihoods and boost the local economy.

The success of the recovery operation is a testament to the effectiveness of the committee's efforts and the cooperation of the relevant stakeholders. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between the government, local authorities, and the community in addressing the issue of cattle rustling.

Also speaking, Ya'u Ibrahim Barewa, the Taraba State chairman of Miyetti Allah, praised the committee's efforts, acknowledging their hard work in recovering the rustled cattle. His commendation adds to the growing recognition of the committee's achievements, particularly in their collaboration with stakeholders to address cattle rustling in the state.

Taraba Cheif Justice has established family court in the state.

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

Justice Joel Agya, Chief Judge of Taraba State, has designated High Court 9 as a family court for the trial of family cases in the state.

The designation was made during an advocacy visit by Mrs. Agyin Kefas, wife of the governor of Taraba State, in Jalingo.

According to Justice Agya, the family court will have jurisdiction over various family-related matters, including divorce, child abuse, neglect, and delinquency.

He emphasized that the court's primary concern will be safeguarding the best interest of the child in all cases.

Justice Agya noted that 30% of girls and women in Nigeria, aged between 15 and 49, have experienced some form of sexual abuse.

He stated that the primary legislation addressing this issue is the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, which Taraba State has domesticated.

Earlier, Mrs. Kefas had requested the judiciary to establish mechanisms for speedy trials of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) offenders.

She expressed concern over the increasing menace of child abuse and gender-based violence, and offered to collaborate with the judiciary to address these issues.

The designation of High Court 9 as a family court is expected to enhance the judiciary's efforts in addressing family-related issues and promoting justice in Taraba State.

CSO WORRIES OVER SHORTAGE OF HIV/AIDS TESTING KITS IN TARABA

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Taraba State chapter of the Association of Civil Society Organizations, Malaria Control, Immunizations and Nutrition (ACOMIN), has decried the acute shortage of HIV/AIDS testing kits in the state.

ACOMIN'S State chairman, Alhaji Muhammed Danburam made this known during an advocacy visit to the Taraba AIDS Control Agency (TACA), Essential Drug Office, and REDAID Nigeria Foundation on Wednesday.

Danburam revealed that a recent assessment of 18 Primary Healthcare Centers in Ardo-kola, Bali, and Takum Local Government Areas showed that the facilities had run out of HIV/AIDS testing strips and clients are being charged in some facilities visited.

"The shortage of testing kits will hinder efforts to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state," Danburam said. 

He called on the state government and relevant stakeholders to take urgent action to address the shortage.

Responding, Pharm. Pinkai Bade, State Coordinator of Logistics Management Coordinating Unit (LMCU), urged citizens to be resilient in ensuring quality service delivery but noted that the supply chain was so challenging as a result of the stoppage of US support to Nigeria.

He noted that Nigeria is committed to closing HIV gaps and achieving Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) by 2030.

Mr Stanley Nfor, State Technical Operation of the REDAID Nigeria and Bala Zungyeri secretary of Taraba AIDS Control Agency (TACA) took turned to explained that donors alone cannot meet the demand for test kits and other essential commodities, stressing the need for government support.

Food security: IFAD graduates 25 farm machine fabricators in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)'s Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has graduated 25 rice and cassava farm machine fabricators in Taraba.

Our correspondent reports that the graduates were provided with starter packs to commence operations immediately.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr Irimiya Musa, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC), said VCDP was deliberate about making use of youths within the state to create jobs.

Musa explained that the programme has designed an all-inclusive intervention for rice and cassava ranging from production, processing and marketing.

The SPC lauded Gov. Agbu Kefas for his commitment to the programme by prompt payment of counterpart funding for its success.

He also commended the Taraba State Polytechnic, Suntai for the expertise in training the fabricators for the benefit of rice and cassava farmers.

Musa charged the beneficiaries not to sell the starter packs but rather use them to create wealth for themselves and enhance food security.

"I want to caution you against selling the starter packs that you have been given. Following the good example of those we have trained before as rice seed entrepreneurs," he said.

Dr Fatima Kabiru, the National Programme Coordinator (NPC), said Taraba VCDP has achieved so much as many young talents have been trained and are doing great things.

Represented by Mr Musa Dalang, the NPC commended the Taraba government, saying the state was always the first in payment of counterpart funding for the programme.

Mrs Salla Ali, Permanent Secretary, Taraba Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security commended VCDP for the laudable programmes and projects. 

Malam Uba Saidu, on behalf of the beneficiaries, commended the Taraba government and VCDP for the opportunity to become self-employed. 

He pledged their commitment to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them for the good of the people of the state.

Reflecting on Lassa Fever Outbreak inTaraba State.

 

 By Thomas Samuel 

For over a decade now, Lassa Fever has consistently unleashed its venom on rural people of Nigeria and Taraba state; a recent outbreak of Lassa Fever in Taraba State has raised concerns among health officials and residents. According to reports, 60 cases of Lassa Fever have been confirmed in the state, with 39 deaths recorded so far.

The outbreak has affected numerous communities in the local government areas of Taraba with Bali Local Government Area being the worst hit. Doctor Sabina Akor, Deputy State Epidemiologist and Incident Manager for Lassa Fever, confirmed the outbreak and urged residents to take precautionary measures to prevent further spread of the disease.

Lassa Fever is a zoonotic disease that can be contracted through contact with infected rodents, such as rats, or through man-to-man contact. To prevent the spread of the disease, residents have been advised to stop drying food by the roadside, ensure environmental sanitization, and avoid eating rats.

Health officials have also urged residents to report any suspected cases of Lassa Fever to the nearest health facility for immediate action. The state government has provided funds for training and sensitization programs to educate residents on the dangers of the disease.

In response to the outbreak, Primary Health Care workers in Bali Local Government Area have been urged to be cautious in discharging their duties. The District Head of Bali Ward B, Inuwa Mohammed Gidado, advised the health workers to take all necessary protective measures while handling patients with symptoms of Lassa Fever.

The outbreak has also prompted calls for increased awareness and education on the disease. To effectively tackle outbreaks of Lassa Fever, the state government should prioritize proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease. This can be achieved by increasing public awareness and education on the risks and prevention strategies of Lassa Fever. 

The government should launch comprehensive sensitization programs, utilizing various channels such as media campaigns, community outreach, and school programs. Additionally, the government should provide adequate resources and funding to support the training and equipping of healthcare workers to handle Lassa Fever cases effectively.

Furthermore, the state government should strengthen its surveillance and response systems to rapidly detect and contain outbreaks. This can be achieved by establishing a robust disease surveillance system, enhancing laboratory capacity for prompt diagnosis, and pre-positioning emergency response teams. 

The government should also collaborate with local authorities, traditional leaders, and community groups to promote environmental sanitation, vector control, and other preventive measures. By taking these proactive steps, the state government can reduce the risk of Lassa Fever outbreaks and mitigate their impact on communities.

FMC Jalingo Debunks Drug Shortage Claims, Reaffirms Commitment to Quality Healthcare

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo  

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jalingo has dismissed reports of a severe drug shortage at the hospital, describing the claims as sensationalized and misleading.

In a statement by Mr Haruna Abubakar of the Press and Protocol Department, indicated that the hospital's management acknowledged some supply chain challenges but emphasized that essential medications are available and the hospital remain fully operational.

The hospital attributed the challenges to inherited debt related to drug supplies, which it has been proactively addressing since the current administration took over nearly five years ago.

The statement also assured the public of its commitment to providing affordable and accessible medications to all patients, with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) enrollees receiving prescribed drugs within the coverage framework.

"The attention of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jalingo has been drawn to recent media reports alleging a severe drug shortage at the hospital. While we acknowledge that there have been some supply chain challenges, the situation is not as dire as portrayed in certain publications.

"FMC Jalingo has a strong working relationship with its pharmaceutical vendors, despite efforts by certain elements to sabotage our progress.

"The hospital management is actively engaging with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to streamline access to medications for enrollees. Our budget has been submitted to the Federal Ministry of Finance, and we anticipate a resolution to these challenges by the end of March 2025.

"FMC Jalingo remains fully operational, and essential medications are available. We invite members of the public, journalists, and stakeholders to visit our pharmacy and wards, including the Accident and Emergency unit, to verify the facts firsthand", stthe atement rereads