Corps member empowers 1,102 women, students with vocational, literacy training

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, Joy Alkali, has trained and empowered 1,102 students and women in Taraba State through vocational skills acquisition, literacy and Computer-Based Test (CBT) training, as part of her Community Development Service project.

Alkali also donated school uniforms to 30 students of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, in Jalingo to support access to education.

The project, implemented under her Better Tomorrow Initiative, was inaugurated on Tuesday after three months of a “Learning to Read” literacy programme and a week-long training in baking, pastry and confectionery.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Alkali said the initiative was designed to equip women and young people with practical, income-generating skills that would enhance their livelihoods, promote self-reliance and contribute to community development.

She said the project was inspired by her commitment to making a lasting impact beyond the classroom, stressing that empowering women creates a ripple effect that strengthens families and communities.

“Today is not just about celebrating the completion of a programme; it is about celebrating hope, empowerment and a better future for our community.

“We believe that when a woman is empowered, her family is strengthened, her community is transformed and the nation becomes better,” she said.

Alkali urged the beneficiaries to put the skills acquired into productive use by establishing small businesses and mentoring others within their communities.

She added that the donation of school uniforms to 30 students was intended to complement the education policy of Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, by reducing the financial burden on parents and encouraging school attendance.

The corps member also acknowledged the support of sponsors, facilitators, volunteers and community leaders, noting that the success of the Better Tomorrow Initiative should be measured by the number of lives positively impacted.

The Taraba State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Ella Aji Williams, commended Alkali for undertaking a community-focused project in line with the objectives of the NYSC Community Development Service.

Represented by the Head of Community Development Service, Mr Sunday Wankari, Williams also lauded the management of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, and the Taraba State Government for providing a peaceful environment that enabled corps members to execute impactful community projects.

The NYSC Local Government Inspector, Mr Lafal Clement, described the initiative as a model of selfless service and urged other corps members to undertake projects that address the needs of their host communities.

“Let this be a reference point for service that truly touches lives,” he said.

The Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, Comrade Abubakar Sanusi, expressed appreciation for Alkali’s contributions, describing her intervention as one that addressed critical needs within the school.

He said the corps member renovated classroom chalkboards, introduced reading support and CBT training, donated school uniforms and carried out other interventions that had significantly benefited students.

Taraba Varsity ASUU issues final strike warning to gov. Kefas over 2025 FG pact

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Taraba State University, Jalingo chapter, has issued it described as a final notice to Governor Agbu Kefas to implement the 2025 Federal Government-negotiated agreement with ASUU or risk an indefinite strike.

In a statement on Wednesday, the TSU-ASUU Chairman, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbaver, described the state government’s failure to honour the agreement as neglect of lecturers and demanded immediate compliance.

Mbaver said the union’s patience was exhausted and it had become necessary to alert the public, parents, students, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, labour unions, and “all lovers of education.”

He listed unresolved issues to include the non-implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU negotiated agreement, and the refusal to pay the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, CATA, Professorial Allowance, and Earned Academic Allowance, EAA.

"This press statement is ASUU-TSU’s final warning to the state government to act or face strike action. Enough of empty promises.

"These are not new or unreasonable requests. They have been discussed, negotiated, documented, and repeatedly brought before the state government. Instead of concrete action, our union has been met with silence and neglect," Mbaver said.

He noted that the 2025 agreement was expected to address long-standing problems in university education, including staff welfare, university funding, revitalisation, and better conditions of service.

The union demanded immediate implementation of CATA; payment of all outstanding arrears from non-implementation of legitimate entitlements; and respect for collective bargaining as a basic principle of industrial harmony.

"Despite the understanding reached, the Taraba State Government has failed to implement the agreement. This failure is unacceptable, provocative, and dangerous for the future of TSU.

"We view the continued failure to implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement as a profound disregard for the principles of collective bargaining. It shows a lack of seriousness about the survival of TSU.

"ASUU-TSU is not asking for charity. We demand what is due to our members. We demand respect for labour and comprehensive implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement," it read in parts.

ASUU-TSU further warned it would be left with no other option but to embark on an indefinite strike if its demands are not met within the shortest time.