How Gen. TY Danjuma Can Unlock Taraba’s Cocoa, Palm Potential

Jalingo, Taraba State — A youth-led development platform, the United Homeland Development Initiative, has called on retired General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma to leverage his influence and resources to unlock Taraba State's abundant cocoa and palm potential, describing the initiative as a pathway to generational prosperity.

In an open letter signed by Emmanuel Iranyang Yakubu, Executive Director of the Initiative, the group highlighted the paradox of Taraba's wealth in natural resources and persistent poverty. "From the fertile valleys of Southern Taraba to the highlands of the Mambilla Plateau, Taraba is endowed with one of the largest arable landmasses in Nigeria. Cocoa, palm oil, coffee, and tea thrive here naturally. Yet youth unemployment remains high, smallholder farmers operate without structure, and communities sit on wealth they cannot convert into opportunity," the statement read.

The appeal emphasized Taraba's unique position as the only tea-producing belt in West Africa, underscoring the state's strategic agricultural advantage. It urged General Danjuma, widely regarded as a father of the land, to provide mentorship, catalytic support, and strategic intervention that could transform agriculture into a tool for large-scale youth employment, rural wealth creation, agro-processing growth, and climate-smart land restoration.

According to the Initiative, cocoa and palm are intergenerational economic assets capable of sustaining families, attracting industries, empowering women, and fostering peace through shared prosperity. "One foundation-supported pilot project or a single endorsement of a youth-led cocoa and palm initiative has the power to restore hope, unlock investment, and mobilize institutions," the letter stated.

The appeal concluded with a call for immediate action to harness Taraba's agricultural potential. "Taraba does not seek charity. Taraba seeks partnership, mentorship, and catalytic support. Let cocoa farms replace despair. Let palm plantations replace poverty. Let Taraba rise as a beacon of agricultural prosperity for Nigeria and Africa," it said.

The United Homeland Development Initiative described the appeal as generational rather than political — a call from the youth and communities of Taraba to a son of the land to help unlock the state's economic and agricultural promise.