Taraba Now Has A Governor!

•Bwacha, Opposition Leaders Hail Gov Kefas's Performance

• EFCC Questions Ex-Gov Ishaku In Abuja

 

 

 

Leaders of opposition political parties and many residents of Taraba State have continued to commend Governor Agbu Kefas passion towards moving the state forward, nothing that the state did not witness such efforts in the last eight years.

 

Starting from the All Progressives Congress APC Governorship Candidate in the last election Senator Emmanuel Bwacha and his Labour Party counterpart Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya took to Twitter, commend Governor Kefas after he declared primary and secondary education free and compulsory in the state.

 

Senator Bwacha on the microblog site wrote that Governor Kefas action is commendable, while Senator Ikenya said he believed that Taraba is on recovery path wit the actions and passion of Governor Kefas.

 

The governor, who had earlier in the week slashed the tuition of the state university and the state School of Nursing by 50 per cent however noted that the free and compulsory education policy would take effect from the next academic session.

 

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas during an unscheduled visit to Ebenezer Primary School, Wukari, stated that his decisions on school fees in the state has become imperative following the hardship being witnessed by the masses occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.

 

 

Kefas had shortly after assumption of office declared a state of emergency on education in the state while he declared the educational sector as very deplorable. According to the governor, "I understand that things are very difficult for everyone in the state and indeed the country. I promised to make life better for the people and I am determined to fulfill that promise.

 

"The education sector in the state is not what we want for our children. I have gone round several schools already and I see the conditions of these schools and we would make sure that we put them in good shape.

 

"With effect from next academic year, there would be no more payment of school fees for both primary and secondary schools in the state.

 

"We would introduce internet services in schools so that the technological deficit currently suffered by our students and pupils will be bridged. We would ensure that you receive standard and qualitative education like your fellow students anywhere in the world," he said.

 

Zonal Director of Education Daniel Nuhu stated that the action would go a long way in turning around the fortunes of the state's less privileged by granting them equal access to quality education.

Elated by these developments, residents mostly parents  and students expressed satisfaction on activities of the Governor since he was sworn in.

Many of the believed that if Governor Kefas sustained the speed at which he is tackling the numerous challenges facing the people, Taraba state will witness tremendous development.

 

Usman Manga said the people of Taraba State are feeling a wind of change blowing gradually across all the sectors in the state.

 

"The procurement of tractors for farmers, the declaration of a state of emergency on education, enrollment of local government pensioners, and 50 per cent reduction in the school fees of the College of Nursing and Midwifery among others were great steps towards repositioning the state on the part of development. The people are now feeling governance, the state now has a governor working and the people are seeing, in the recent past Taraba was like a state without a governor because things were not happening."

 

On his part, former Chairman of Donga local government, Hon. Nashuka Ipeyen, said  the recruitment of over 300 street cleaners by the governor was not only keeping the capital city of Jalingo clean but had given jobs to many.

 

Ipeyen, who lauded the governor's directive on the payment of local government staff and teachers' pensions, also commended the governor for the suspension of illegal mining activities and indiscriminate felling of trees, which was affecting the environment.

 

the Ter-Tiv Taraba, Zaki David Gbaa, said the procurement of 750 new global multi-purpose mini tractors and 100 sets of Cabrio compact tractors, accessories, tools, and spare parts for small and medium-scale farmers in Taraba state was great step in agricultural modernization in the state.

 

"The governor has started very well. Most of us in Taraba are farmers and the signing of an agreement with an international company; Knight A. S from the Czech Republic, for the supply of 750 new global multi-purpose mini tractors and 100 sets of Cabrio compact tractors, accessories, tools, and spare parts for small and medium-scale farmers in the state is highly commendable.

 

"We are told that the governor has directed the payment of monthly running costs to ministries and has released over N71 million for enrollment of all local government staff and teachers that were not enrolled in the pension scheme. This will make the ministry run smoothly and the local government retirees who feel abandoned to have a sense of belonging."

 

In an interview with our correspondent, the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Prince Gara Nongha, said Governor Kefas has within one month created mind-blowing reforms in virtually every sector in the state, which has made the people regain hope and confidence that a new Taraba is possible.

 

"We have seen job creation through the employment of over 300 youths and women in the daily cleaning of the city. I salute the declaration of a state of emergency on education.

 

 

"Today, our youths are happy that they are not left behind following the hosting of the Youth, Economic, and Security Summit by the governor. The summit presented an opportunity for the youths to showcase what they have to offer and challenges confronting them and the governor is poised to address these challenges," he said.