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Tag: Ishaku

  • Dankwambo, Ishaku to Buhari: do more for security in northeast

    Dankwambo, Ishaku to Buhari: do more for security in northeast

    Governors Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe State) and Darius Dickson Ishaku (Taraba) yesterday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to deploy more security and resources to the north east to end the killings in the region.

    Dankwambo and Ishaku, who are the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors in the north, spoke when the former visited Taraba to offer condolences on the killings in the state.

    Dankwambo said: “The security situation in the northeast is at its peak now. It can go either ways, away completely or aside.

    “Therefore, I am appealing to the president not to be tired in his battle against insurgency, but to put more resources in the northeast to ensure the insecurity issues we are facing today go forever.

    “What we are experiencing in Taraba State today are remnants of the issues of insurgency we had experienced before.

    “Thus, we salute the president and our military for their efforts in the issues of insurgency and killings in the country.

    “I want to urge them not to relent but to do more. It is not over yet, until it is over.”

    Ishaku said: “We, governors, were sworn to protect lives and property. Unfortunately, we are given the powers as ‘security chief officer of the state,’ however, we have the crown without the cap.

    “How can you be the chief executive officer when you don’t control the power that goes with the army and the police? It makes you a naked guard.

    “I always believe if I have the police under me, I will not have any security trouble in my state at all. Because I will outwit crime.

    “Some states that are unfortunate like us in the northeast have received a lot of our share of the failure to protect lives and property of citizens.”

    The Taraba governor lamented that besides the killing of over 68 persons by herdsmen, a member of the State House of  Assembly, Hosea Ibi was kidnapped in Takum directly opposite a military barrack. He was eventually killed even after ransom was paid. Yet there has not been any trace of the killers.

    “As I speak, another man has been kidnapped in Takum three days ago at the same spot Hosea Ibi was abducted and later killed.

    “There have been more than four kidnappings and more than three killings after 15 days Hosea Ibi was gruesomely killed. What country are we living in?,” he queried.

    Ishaku grieved that the buses that convey vegetables from Taraba’s Greenhouse to Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt were on Tuesday smashed and shattered by a rain of automatic gun bullets by unknown gunmen. One of the drivers was injured.”

  • Makarfi, Okowa,Ishaku visit IBB

    Makarfi, Okowa,Ishaku visit IBB

    National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ahmed Markarfi and the Chairman of the PDP National Elective Convention Committee, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday visited former military President Ibrahim Babangida at his Minna residence.

    The duo came along with Taraba state Governor, Darius Ishaku, Senator Ben Obi and Senator Abdul Ningi.

    They arrived the Minna International Airport at about 1pm and headed straight for the IBB’s Hilltop residence.

    Reporters were barred from the meeting between the visitors and the former military leader.

    A source in Babagida’s house said Governor Okowa assured the elder statesman that all aspirants would be given a  level playing field in a hitch-free convention.

    After visiting Gen. Babangida,  the team visited Niger state Governor  Abubakar Sani Bello at the Government House in Minna.

    They turned down reporters’ attempt to speak with them.

  • Ishaku: Why I am called Baba Cucumber

    Ishaku: Why I am called Baba Cucumber

    Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, is happy to be mockingly referred to as the “cucumber governor, or Baba Cucumber.”

    He said he earned the name “Baba Cucumber” as a result of his huge developmental efforts in the agricultural sector, through the Green House project which was commissioned alongside other projects by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on August 24.

    The governor spoke on Channels television in a programme called Hard Copy, anchored by Maupe Ogun at the weekend.

    Ishaku said, in his efforts to develop the agricultural sector in Taraba State, his administration established the Green House, the first ever in Nigeria’s north-eastern region worth over N2 billion.

    The Green House, according to the governor, produces high quality vegetables such as tomato, lettuce, pepper, cabbage and cucumber that have met the international standard.

    Narrating why his administration ventured into the project, he said: “Prior to the establishment of the Green House, vegetables, with low quality, were imported into the country from South Africa. As a result of this development, the idea of the Green House was actualised.”

    On whether the Green House is worth the colossal amount and whether it has direct impact on the people, Ishaku said the project has been a huge success in Taraba State, because, apart from offering an all-year round high quality vegetables in commercial quantity, it has employed 500 persons and improved the Internal Revenue Generation (IRG) of the State.

    He explained further that the previous regime shared about N2 billion to farmers as agric loan, but the beneficiaries refused to redeem their pledge, which is why instead of sharing money in the form of loan to farmers and making the same mistake, he used the money to establish the Green House.

    “I met a very bad example. The past regime took almost N2billion and shared to farmers as agricultural loan. Now, not up to one-quarter redeemed the pledge. They saw the money as a free gift from the government.

    “Even from the one-quarter we recovered, I had to set up a committee to go after them. And now, with that experience, if you receive another N2 billion, will you repeat the same mistake that was done by the past government? No.

    “I decided that simple vegetables like tomato, pepper and cucumber among others, which were hitherto imported, be produced here. I decided to venture into the Green House project, and it has been a huge success.

    “Most of our Green House produce have found their ways into various markets and I have earned the name Baba Cucumber.”

    He added that, besides the Green House, his administration is aiding farmers through the provision of fertilizer, agricultural inputs and in terms of guarding them.

    “14,700 farmers were aided to venture into dry season rice cultivation and they harvested very good yields; they are now happy and they want to do it this year again,” said the governor.

  • Ishaku for 2017 Africa Today Summit

    Ishaku for 2017 Africa Today Summit

    Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku will, tomorrow, deliver a paper at the Third Africa Today Conference and Summit scheduled for the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

    Ishaku, a former minister of state for Power, under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, is expected to provide a insight to various energy options available in Nigeria. This year’s topic is: Energy Options in low-cost and low-carbon World: Which way Nigeria and Africa?

    Publisher of Africa Today and convener of the summit, Kayode Soyinka, told reporters in Abuja:  “Taraba State represents best practices in what has been done using renewable energy in Nigeria. Governor Ishaku will tell us what has been the state’s success using renewable energy, especially hydropower, and how it was done.

    “We will learn what it takes to be successful using alternative sources of energy. In short, he will give us the state’s top five tips for being successful in renewable energy. Taraba is also the home of the giant, very ambitious Federal Government-funded Mambilla Power Project.

    “He will also share his experience as a minister of Power, and the steps he took to provide low-cost power solutions to Nigerians during his tenure. Ishaku will offer insight into energy issues from the policy maker’s perspective.”

  • Ishaku hails people for supporting Taraba during Suntai’s funeral

    Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku yesterday thanked everyone who stood by him and the indigenes during the funeral of his predecessor, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai.

    Suntai, a pharmacist, was governor from 2007 to 2015. He died on June 28, two days to his 56th birthday in Orlando, Florida, USA; four years and seven months after surviving an air crash in which he was the pilot.

    He was buried in his village, Suntai, in Bali Local Government last Saturday after a funeral service in Jalingo.

    In a statement, Ishaku said he was “personally deeply touched by the show of love, sympathy and solidarity with the government and people of the state as well as members of the immediate family of the late former governor by personalities from parts of the federation.”

    He went on: “I wish to thank those who commiserated with us on the untimely death of our former governor, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai and those who attended the funeral in Jalingo and Suntai on August 18 and 19.

    “I wish to acknowledge and thank, in particular, Governors Ayodele Peter Fayose (Ekiti), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Senator Jonah David Jang, former governor of Plateau State, Chief Gabriel Suswam, ex-governor of Benue State, Mr Boni Haruna, former governor of Adamawa State, Commodore Ambrose Adeyemi Afolahan (retd), first military administrator of Taraba State, serving deputy governors and former deputy governors, representatives of governors, members of federal and state executive councils, members of the National Assembly, Speaker and members of the Taraba State House of Assembly, the state Chief Judge and members of the Judiciary in the state, national and state leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, bishops, pastors, imams and other anointed men of God, traditional rulers, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other personalities and groups too numerous to be listed here.”

    The governor appreciated the massive turn-out of Taraba people to pay their last respect to the former governor he described as a political leader, friend and brother.

    He said he was thrilled as the people lined up the routes from Jalingo Airport to the home of the late former governor on the day he arrived with his body in Jalingo and for lining up in the towns and villages through which the convoy accompanying the body passed to get to Suntai’s country home and final resting place.

  • Ishaku, Fayose, others pay last respects to ex-Governor Suntai

    Ishaku, Fayose, others pay last respects to ex-Governor Suntai

    Governors Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), and Simon Lalong (Plateau) joined Darius Ishaku (Taraba) to pay their last respects to former Taraba Governor, Danbaba Suntai, who was buried yesterday.

    The governors offered their heartfelt condolences during the funeral service at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo.

    Suntai’s body was later conveyed to his home in Suntai village, Bali local government area for entombment.

    Suntai died on June 28, two days to his 56th birthday in Orlando, Florida, USA exactly four years and seven months after surviving an air crash in which he was the pilot.

    Fayose said the late Suntai was a good man.

    He asked Taraba people to learn from the good legacies Suntai left for the state.

    “Suntai, continue to sleep peacefully. The good gifts of a man make the way for him,” he said.

    Dankwambo described Suntai as a “true democrat.”

    “I know he (Suntai) meant well for the State and people of Taraba,” he stated.

    Lalong and Adamawa Governor Bindo Jibrilla, who was represented by his deputy, also paid glowing tributes to the late former governor.

    “He (Suntai) used tell me to be always upright with God whenever we met,” the deputy governor said.

    Ishaku said his predecessor was an “amiable leader and an icon par excellence.”

    “He was very well known for his frankness, boldness and large heart given to sincere forgiveness.

    “Late Governor Suntai’s public life, ranging from politics to public service, left no one in doubt that he was born a natural leader.

    “God has called him home,” he said.

    Ishaku broke down in tears on Friday when he arrived with Suntai’s corpse at the Jalingo Airport, which he has proposed before the Assembly to rename after Suntai to immortalise him.

    “When Suntai had that plane crash, Taraba State literally crashed with him.

    “The future and wellbeing of his family, the sanctity of his administration, and indeed, the wellbeing of the people of Taraba State also crashed with him.

    “This is because the very fabric of the socio-economic being of the people of Taraba State was intricately interwoven within the stature of this great man and leader of our time.

    “The news of Danbaba Suntai’s demise came to me as a rude shock, because from my human perspective, I looked forward with very high expectation to the day that he would be fully restored and returned home to us.

    “But sadly, that was not to be. Words cannot describe the intensity and depth of my grief and the trauma that the immediate and extended family members of Suntai are going through, as well as the gloom that has settled on the government and good people of Taraba State,” Ishaku said.

    Other dignitaries at Suntai’s funeral include former Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam, former Plateau Governor, Jonah David Jang, pioneer military administrator of Taraba State Rear Admiral (retired) Adeyemi Afolayan and first civilian Governor of Taraba State Jolly Nyame.

  • Ishaku’s media aide Giwa buried

    Sylvanus Yakubu Giwa, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku, was buried in Takum at the weekend.

    Giwa died on June 23 after a brief illness. He was 54. He is survived by his wife, Namuma and three children.

    Dignitaries, including Governor Ishaku and Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, attended the funeral.

    The deceased served the three civilian governors – Jolly Nyame, the late Danbaba Suntai and Ishaku – as media aide.

    He was a reporter with the Taraba Television (TTV) from 1992 to 1993 and General Manager between 1999 and 2006.

    Ishaku described the deceased as patient, hard working and loyal.

    His words: “Sylvanus was a humble, patient and hard working person. He was vibrant and very sensitive to issues and always tried to do his best. He would always bring his works for corrections.

    “Any day he brought work and I didn’t make corrections he went out a very happy man, yet not satisfied, he would return to confirm whether I was really satisfied.

    “Nobody can take your life except God. Let us count our days and wait for our moments so that when the time comes, we shall be at the right hand of the Lord.”

    Former Governor Jolly Nyame, who sent his condolences, was saddened by Giwa’s death.

    “Giwa contributed immensely to the development of Taraba State,” he said.

  • Taraba killings: Ishaku blames FG for insensitivity

    Taraba killings: Ishaku blames FG for insensitivity

    Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku has blamed the federal government for some of the crises in the country, accusing it of not being proactive enough.

    He spoke in Jalingo when the Minister of Interior Gen. Abdulaham Danbazau (rtd) and Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations, Joshak Habila, visited him at the Government House.

    The governor said he complained to the federal government on the regrouping of Boko Haram terrorists in Suntai Daaji forest in Bali local government area over a year ago but nothing was done about it.

    “Government cannot celebrate its victory over Boko Haram until the terrorists regrouping in Taraba are rooted out.

    “The federal government must act fast to avoid a devastating crisis.

    “Some of the crises blamed on herdsmen in actual sense are not carried out by herdsmen but terrorists masquerading as herdsmen.

    “The federal government must be proactive in handling security issues,” he said.

    Ishaku thank the federal government for the prompt attention to the crisis on the Mambilla Plateau.

    He however regretted the same attention was not given to the other eight crises in some local government areas.

     

  • Ishaku to spend N110b

    Ishaku to spend N110b

    Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku yesterday presented N110 billion for 2017 fiscal year to the House of Assembly. He promised to bring “uncommon development” in the coming year.

    The budget proposal, the governor said, was carefully planned to cater for critical areas of development, in line with the rescue agenda of his administration.

    Tagged, “budget of hope”, it is bigger than the 2016 budget by 9.17 per cent.

    Recurrent expenditure is N49.3 billion, representing 44.77 per cent and capital expenditure N60.8 billion, representing 55.23 per cent.

    Housing and Urban Development got the lion share of N12.153 billion, Education N2.659 billion, and Health N4.972 billion.

    The Speaker, Abel Peter Diah, said the House would give the bill “speedy consideration to ensure prompt passage.”

  • Jukun honour Danjuma, Ishaku, others

    Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku, elder-statesman Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd) and 10 other illustrious men of Jukunland will on December 10 be honoured at a ceremony organised by the Jukun Development Association (JDA), in Lagos, its National President Chief Benjamin Bako has said.

    Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Bako said the award is meant to encourage and motivate elected and appointed Jukun sons and daughters who find themselves in exalted positions to use such positions to improve their communities and people and address the unacceptable level underdevelopment and marginalisation in Jukunland.

    The association said it is honouring Gen. Danjuma for always being there for Jukun people and helping the less privileged, while Governor Ishaku is being honoured for restoring peace to Southern Taraba and developing the state despite scarce and limited resources.

    He called on the Federal Government to set aside political differences and compliment the efforts of the state governor in the area of security to reposition the state for growth and peace.

    The occasion, the Jukun President observed would also help draw attention to the deplorable neglect of Jukun people, adding that his people have never had it so bad in termsof federal appointments and projects despite the fact that their son, TY Danjuma contributed immensely to the emergence of the government in power.

    Bako lamented the continued ravaging of Jukunland by Fulani herdsmen which have led to the suspension of farming activities in Jukunland and admonished President Buhari that his continued silence in the face of this genocide and ethnic cleansing is unhelpful and dangerous for national unity.