By Emeka Amaefula
TARABA STATE GOVERNOR DR. AGBU KEFAS MARSHALLS OUT POLICIES TO COMBAT HUNGER
The Government of Dr. Agbu Kefas on Wednesday 31st of July, 2024 flew back from a working visit to South Africa where he and his team went in for Investment drive from top business community in South Africa, his reason to jet back to Jalingo the state capital was to liaise with the youths and critical stakeholders in the state on key issues related with august 1st, 2024 Peaceful Protest by Nigerian Youths in Nigeria. The meeting which brought in Emirs, Chiefs, Security Chiefs, and Youths and members of State and National assembly including the Minister and other officials of the Taraba origin. Dr. Agbu Kefas in his opening address stated his laid down plans for the development of Taraba state while he pleaded to the Youths in the state to shun any protest which may be hijacked by hoodlums who don’t mean well for the state.
For his government since inception from May 29th 2023 had marshalled out plans such as Education trust Fund; which every student of Taraba state origin in Federal universities and other tertiary institutions will have education grant and 50 % slash on tuition and other scholarship incentives. He also enumerated plans to institute Economic Trust Fund which will usher in economic reliefs on Agriculture which will be unveiled on October 2024. When implemented, this policy will caution the cost of acquisition of farming implements and checkmate how farm produce from Taraba state will be managed before they leave the state. Dr. Kefas in his address mentioned infrastructure development which include Jalingo Airport project enhancement that will allow aircrafts to land even at night seamlessly. He promised to remodel primary schools and Secondary schools in Taraba state as he told the youths that not all of them may find themselves to university but he went to South Africa to bring in investors in Block molding and other craft making ventures to Taraba state which will commence in a short time. On investment on mining by the indigenes of the state he reiterated that he had contacted the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and there will be evaluation of the value of Solid minerals in the state whether they are of commercial quantities. As the Agricultural Advancement in small businesses and other entrepreneurial ventures to benefit the local markets in the state.
On the issue of Mental health wellbeing of the youths, he promised to set up effective programme to support those suffering from depression occasioned with effects drug abuse. As he promised the youths to run an inclusive government which will engage the youths directly using the Chairmen in the Local Government councils as most of them will be allowed to participate in the forth coming Local government Councils election in Taraba state. He called on the youths to channel their energies towards useful ventures.
The former first elected governor of Taraba state Rev’d Jolly Nyame spoke on behalf of stakeholders as he urged the Governor to take their message for subsidy on Agriculture to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as such action will help reduce the level of hunger now ravaging the entire nation. The spokesman for the Taraba Youths also recalled on the expressions made by Governor Kefas as his policies in education and establishment of mental health Resuscitation Committee will go a long way to benefit the youths and his policy on education Trust fund will be of benefit to the youths. He pleaded for direct financial empowerment direct to the bank accounts of Taraba state youths using their Central bank of Nigeria authorized identification number and distribute relief funds to them.
On 1st August, 2024 when the youths of Taraba state matched to Government House Jalingo, the governor came out and addressed them promising to work with them directly as they should organize themselves for effective benefits to all Taraba youth.
