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Tag: Darius Ishaku

  • Insurgents threatened to attack Taraba in 10 days – Ishaku

    Insurgents threatened to attack Taraba in 10 days – Ishaku

    Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, said on Thursday that suspected insurgents have threatened  to attack the state within 10 days.

    Ishaku stated this when the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, visited  him at the Government House in Jalingo to commiserate with him over the recent killings in Taraba.

    “We received a notice that in 10 days, we shall be attacked. I have alerted all security agencies. We are waiting.

    “A helicopter has dropped arms and ammunitions in the night without its mission established. It is not a time to keep quiet, we are living in fear,” the governor stated.

    The Taraba State Commissioner of Police, David Akinremi, had in a statement dismissed the report of arms-filled chopper landing in Taraba at night as “unfounded and misleading rumour.”

    But the state government is not satisfied and residents are suspecting connivance.

    Ishaku said the alleged arms and ammunition might be for the militia group threatening to attack the state.

  • Protest won’t stop Osinbajo panel on herdsmen/farmers clashes

    Protest won’t stop Osinbajo panel on herdsmen/farmers clashes

    The Yemi Osinbajo Committee on herdsmen / farmers clashes is pressing ahead with its assignment regardless of the recent objection of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association to the membership of Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba) of the panel.

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association’s rejection of  Ortom and Ishaku stemmed from their introduction of the anti-open grazing laws in their states.

    However, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the vice president, Mr. Laolu Akande, said that the job of the committee was in  the interest of all Nigerians, especially all the communities and parties  affected by  the crises. 

    He said panel would ,therefore,leave no stone unturned to ensure peace and security of life and property in the affected communities.

    “Our job is to all Nigerians and in this case all affected parties and communities. The interest of the administration is peace and the first duty of government is to provide peace and security of life and property,”Akande said.

    “We note the views of all and welcome their right to their own positions. Government would also do its job to secure the wellbeing of all Nigerians including those who have expressed their opinions.

    “The Working Group has met once already and would continue to meet to ensure that all Nigerians live in peace and security.

    “The Group is made up of elected governors including those whose communities are affected. And we should not forget that all those serving in States as Governors and FG have sworn to protect the constitution. That is the guarantee by law that their actions would be fair and without fear or favour.

    “This crisis and the misunderstanding that attends it would be over under the Buhari administration by the special Grace of God.”

    The Osinbajo committee was set up by the last meeting of the National Economic Council towards finding solution to the killings in the affected communities.

  • Group threatens to occupy U.S. Embassy

    A civil society organisation, Good Governance and Transparency Initiative has threatened to occupy the United States embassy and other places if nothing is done by the government and the international community to bring Governors Samuel of Benue Ortom and  Darius Ishaku of Taraba States to book.

    Its Executive Director Mrs Mrs. Jaiyeola Mohammed, who spoke during a rally held at the Unity Fountain in  Abuja yesterday,  faulted the two governors for what she called their lackadaisical attitudes which sled to the killings.

    She said: “The New Year’s Day  killings in Benue state shocked not just the entire nation but also confounded the world.

    “Our bigger worry, however, is the inaction that has continued to allow attention to focus on the wrong sources of the crisis. There is so much of playing the ostrich going on while the crisis festers. Our thoughts are that the problem in Benue state would have been contained to that geographical entity and promptly dealt with to save other states from suffering the fallout of a politically and ethnically motivated crisis.”

  • I can’t share Taraba’s funds with anyone – Ishaku

    I can’t share Taraba’s funds with anyone – Ishaku

    Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, said on Tuesday he prefers to do landmark achievements than sharing the state’s funds with politicians.

    He also asked traditional rulers to pray for peace and “attitudinal change in the state.”

    The governor spoke in Takum country home while celebrating the Christmas with his cabinet members, House of Assembly members, chairmen of local government councils, party executives, political supporters and traditional rulers.

    He noted that his administration was heavily challenged by paucity of funds.

    He said: “The challenge is that what we are getting today is a far cry from what those who were with the late former governor, Danbaba Suntai, were getting.

    Ishaku said his priority was to develop Taraba and leave behind a good name rather than sharing the little resources available because he wants a second term.

    He pleaded with the people of Taraba State to forgive him, if he had erred in the course of steering the affairs of the state within the two and half years,

    “I am very sorry, if I went wrong. I do not have two brains, so forgive me,” he said.

    He asked the people continue to love one another and sustain the relative peace to enable him achieve more for the state.

     

     

  • Taraba: 1,500 teachers deployed in 300 primary schools

    Taraba: 1,500 teachers deployed in 300 primary schools

    The Taraba State Education Programme Investment Project Additional Financing ( SEPIP ) on Wednesday said it had deployed 1,500 teachers in 300 primary schools in various villages across the state.

    The Programme Coordinator, Mr Mohammed Suleiman, disclosed this at a news conference in Jalingo.

    He said the move was aimed at reaching out to the Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) and other inaccessible children in the state.

    “Taraba currently has over 285,000 children out of school that included the children of the IDPs.

    “Our target is to train more teachers and motivate them to go into the villages to teach these children.

    “We have teachers; but most of them prefer to stay in towns. With motivation, more and more teachers are now willing to be trained and deployed in villages,” he said.

    Suleiman also said that the World Bank supported Better Education Service Delivery for All ( BESDA ) would soon take off in the state.

    Read also: Buhari to commission special school in Nasarawa

    The coordinator said BESDA would grant equitable access to education for out-of-school children and improve their literacy level, especially, in their early grades.

    He said that when fully operational, the programme would reposition enrolment at the elementary level in the state.

    Suleiman commended Gov. Darius Ishaku and the World Bank for their prompt payment of counterpart funds for the project.

    SEPIP is a World Bank assisted programme for schools in some Northeastern states ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    NAN

  • PDP to work with any chairman elected at Dec. 9 convention

    PDP to work with any chairman elected at Dec. 9 convention

    The eight contenders for the National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP )have agreed to work with any of them elected at the party’s National Convention on Dec. 9.

    Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, made the disclosure at a news briefing in the early hours of Monday after a five and half hour closed door meeting in Enugu.

    Fayose said that the governors met to deliberate on the forthcoming national convention and discussed with the chairmanship aspirants.

    According to him, the forthcoming PDP convention will serve as template for future conventions in the country.“We put PDP first and PDP is first.

    We are leaving Enugu believing that we will take power at the centre in 2019.

    Fayose flanked by other PDP governors expressed the belief that the party would win the Nov. 18 governorship poll in Anambra.

    “We believe we will take over Anambra if the election is free, fair and credible.“Nigeria is of age to conduct election that is acceptable internationally,” he said.

    Governors at the meeting were, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia; Darius Ishaku, Taraba; Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe.

    Others were Emmanuel Udom, Akwa-Ibom; Ben Ayade,Cross River; ifeanyi Okowa, Delta; Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa; Nyesom Wike, River, while Ebonyi was represented by the deputy governor.

    Eight chairmanship aspirants, South-west had six, while South-South had two.They are: Bode George, Jimi Agbaje, Taoheed Adedoja, Tunde Adeniran, Rasheed Ladoja, Gbenga Daniel, Raymond Dokpesi and Uche Secondus.

    Former governors at the meeting were Gabriel Suswam of Benue and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom.

    The meeting was also attended by former External Affairs Minister, Tom Ikimi, Kema Chikwe, former Senate President Adolpus Wabara, and incumbent Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

    NAN

     

  • Gov Ishaku lauds FG on 3,050mw Mambilla Hydro-Power

    Gov Ishaku lauds FG on 3,050mw Mambilla Hydro-Power

    Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring the commencement of work on the 3,050 megawatts Mambilla Hydro Electric Power Plant at Gembu in Taraba.

    The governor made the commendation on Monday after a closed door meeting with Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) had on Aug, 30 approved 5.792 billion dollars (about N1.140 trillion) for the construction of the plant 45 years after its conception.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who disclosed this while addressing State House correspondents, said the idea for the project was conceived since 1972.

    “Several efforts had been made to bring it to reality but I’m happy to announce that this government approved the contract today to joint ventures of Chinese Civil and Engineering company for the engineering and turn-key contract, including civil and electro-mechanical works for 5.792 billion dollar.’’

    The governor thanked the President for approving the immediate commencement of work on the plant.

    “I thank him very much indeed about the award of Mambilla hydro-power project which is one of the biggest hydro-project in Nigeria.

    “It has stayed over 30 years on the drawing board until his regime.

    “So, that is a very big feat and I thought I should come and thank him and seek his audience. When next I will come with Taraba people to thank him.

    “This is a very good project for the country as a whole, 3,050 megawatts, for those of us who know what a megawatt is, it can do a lot in developing Nigeria,’’ he added.

    On the proposed Taraba Anti-Grazing Law, the governor revealed that the law would come into effect by January 2018.

    He, however, disclosed that the state government had set up two committees to sensitize farmers and herdsmen on the benefits of the anti-grazing bill.

    Ishaku described the bill as advantageous to both the farmers and herdsmen; socially and economically.

    “Our own anti-grazing law will come into effect next year January.

    “Two panels were set up to sensitize the farmers and the herdsmen so that they both understand the benefits of the anti- grazing bill.

    “I still believe for the herdsmen, socially and economically, that is the best thing that will ever happen to them if we can consolidate on that.

    “The awareness is improving each day and people are beginning to know that these laws are done in good faith and are done to secure lives and property of the people,’’ he said.

    The governor expressed the hope that the bill would be implemented without hindrance.

    Ishaku called on the Federal Government to review its decision on the withdrawal of military officers from Taraba so as to enhance security situation in the state.

    NAN

  • Taraba Gov briefs Buhari on security, agriculture, others

    Taraba Gov briefs Buhari on security, agriculture, others

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Issues discussed at the closed door meeting included security and agricultural development in the state.

    Speaking with State House journalists at the end of the meeting  Ishaku said “I’m here in the villa to brief Mr. President on situation of things in Taraba State. I also reported to him security wise we have recorded few successes, peace in the state and we need to enhance it. Therefore, we will need his presidential support in that manner.

    “And to generally brief him on the success we are having on agriculture and to also appreciate him very much indeed about the award of Mambilla hydro-power project which is one of the biggest hydro-project in Nigeria.

    “It has stayed over 30 years on the drawing board until his administration. So that is a very big feat and I thought I should come and thank him and seek his audience when next I will come with Taraba people to thank him.

    “It’s a very good project for the country as a whole, 3.050 megawatts, for those of us who know what a megawatt is, it can do a lot in developing Nigeria.

    “I’m sure you are aware of our popular green house, last year we had 16,000 in the rice farm we want to quadruple that by this year and therefore we need assistance particularly to build channels where we can distribute water. Because the dry season farming is more popular than the rainy season, they harvested rice four times more and we want to enhance that.”

    He disclosed that the state has also gone into other crops cultivation including cocoa, beniseed and soya beans.

    “All these we are recording huge successes in the state.” he said

    According to him, the state has also recorded huge success in education and for the first time move from less than 28 percent on WAEC table to 67.3 percent last month.

    “When they graded the whole country, we were number 8th in the whole country and number one in the northern states. We have really pushed education very high and we intend to push it to an enviable height,” he said.

    On farmers/herdsmen clash, he said that his state is quite calm even as there is plan to introduce the anti-grazing law in the state next year January.

    He said that two panels were set up to sensitize the farmers and the herdsmen so that they both understand the benefits of the anti-grazing bill.

    “Because I still believe for the herdsmen socially and economically, that is the best thing that will ever happen to them if we can consolidate on that. The awareness is improving each day and people are beginning to know that these laws are done in good faith and are done to secure lives and properties of the people. We are sure that there will be not much hindrance to its implementation.

    On the kind of security assistance required from the Federal Government, he said “You know security is sole prerogative of Mr. President, it is his assignment. We state governments rely on the federal government for the soldiers, the police and all the security agencies and therefore you need the presidential directives to be able to enhance the security in the states, particularly my state where some of the soldiers have been withdrawn to other areas in the country which we will need them if possible to come back so that we will feel more secure and continue to live in peace.

    On what the President’s response was, he said “Positive.”

    Read Also: Buhari’s economic decisions long-lasting, says Fed Govt

  • PHOTO: President Buhari receives Gov. Ishaku of Taraba

    PHOTO: President Buhari receives Gov. Ishaku of Taraba

    PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES TARABA GOVERNOR
    President Buhari receives Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku at the State House in Abuja.
  • Ex-Taraba Gov. Suntai buried amidst eulogies, tears

    Ex-Taraba Gov. Suntai buried amidst eulogies, tears

    The remains of the former Governor of Taraba, Danbaba Suntai was laid to rest on Saturday in his hometown, Suntai in Bali Local Government Area of the state amidst tears and eulogies.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a cross section of Nigerians, who were touched by the late governor’s kind gesture and sterling leadership qualities, could not hold their tears as they gave their testimonies of his legacies.

    One of them, Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba, described the late Suntai, as an epitome of humility with a great sense of humour and passion for the development of the state.

    Ishaku, however, thanked all Nigerians, especially those who stood by the late governor during his trying moment and in death.

    He said that the love they showed him was a great source of strength to the family and the people of the state.

    The governor urged Suntai’s family to be consoled by the legacies and virtues of the late icon, who he said would be remembered by people for what he believed and stood for.

    Earlier, Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti urged the people of Taraba to imbibe the virtues of Suntai.

    Fayose said they should imbibe his virtues and continue to promote the good things he stood for while alive for the development of the state and country.

    In his remarks, Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe said the late governor did well for the people of the state.

    The President of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN), Most Rev. Musa Philibus, at the funeral service, enjoined Nigerians to live a life of service to humanity.

    Philibus said that Nigerians should bear in mind that all must die to give an account of their stewardship to God.

    “There is glory and happiness in death when we live a life that pleases God.

    “We should think about pleasing God rather thinking of how to bring others down in order to get to the top,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the funeral was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life, including Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau and the immediate past governor of Benue State, Dr. Gabriel Suswam.

    Others were the First Executive Governor of Taraba, Rev. Jolly Nyame, the pioneer military governor of Taraba CP Ambrose Afolahan, representatives of the governors of Adamawa, Benue and Nasarawa as well as some National Assembly members among others.

    The deceased, who was aged 55, died on June 28, in the USA where he was recuperating from the treatment he sustained injuries when a private aircraft he was flying crashed on October 25, 2012, in Yola.

    He was the governor of the state between 2007 and 2015.