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Tag: Taraba

  • JUST IN: Education tops as Taraba gov presents N311.3 billion 2024 budget

    JUST IN: Education tops as Taraba gov presents N311.3 billion 2024 budget

    Taraba state governor, Agbu Kefas, on Friday, December 15, presented N311,388,525,661.96 as the 2024 budget to the state House of Assembly. 

    A breakdown of the appropriation bill, titled: “Budget of Moving Forward,” shows that N111,669,595,358.59 is for recurrent expenditure representing 39.5% while N199,708,930,303.37 is for capital expenditure representing 64.1% of the budget.

    Based on the sectoral allocation, education has the highest share of N43,208,278,849.28 representing 13.9% of the budget.

    Health follows with an allocation of N33,54,686,848.00k representing 10.6% and works which was allocated N24,804,232,263.17 representing 8.0% of the budget.

    The governor said the budget was anchored on the five-finger agenda of his administration which include: education, security, women/youth development, infrastructure and health.

    Read Also: Appeal Court declines NNPP’s request to sack Taraba’s Gov Agbu

    He explained that the budget will place specific focus on education including teacher training, improvement of schools and so on. 

    According to Kefas, 5% of the budget will be allocated to the Greening Taraba Project in order to preserve the natural beauty of the State and mitigate the effect of climate change.

    Speaker of the House, John Kizito Bonzena, acknowledged the good working relationship between the executive and the legislature in the State. He assured of a speedy passage of the budget in order to keep up with the January-December timeframe.

  • Kefas decries lack of master plan for Taraba

    Kefas decries lack of master plan for Taraba

    Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas has decried the lack of a master plan for the state capital and the state generally.

    He said the lack of a master plan has made proper planning and projections difficult. He lamented that many things in the state are not right, adding that he inherited lots of challenges when he took over.

    He spoke yesterday when the Obadiah Ando-led Committee on the streamlining of ministries, departments and government agencies submitted its report at Government House.

    Kefas said he would implement the findings of the committee to the letter.

    He stressed that the sterling team that did the job can be trusted to deliver.

    On the need for committees and trainings, he said those criticising his effort at retreats and setting up committees are bereft of how administration works.

    He said training, workshops and seminars are very pivotal to an enlightened work force.

    He enjoined his team to work assiduously as a unit to actualize his dreams for the state. He promised to promptly set up a White Paper Committee to come up with a summary of the reports.

    Ando, a former Secretary to the Taraba State Government, said the task they undertook was a daunting one.

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    He highlighted some of the challenges encountered during the course of their work.

    Ando said the reports contained details of how the MDAs should be streamlined to avoid overlapping and expensive repetitions of duties.

    He commended members of the committee that included seasoned state and federal civil servants.

    Ando noted that some of the ministries need to be unbundled to reduce their work loads.

    He said the office of the Head of Service should not be responsible for paying salaries. He stressed that salary payments should be the job of the Accountant General office.

    Ando stressed the need for more refresher courses for top level staff.

    The committee comprised of former Head of Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi, Chief of Staff to Taraba Governor, Dr Jeji Williams and former Taraba State Head of Service, Augustine Banzing among others.

  • Taraba Assembly reduces LG tenure to two years

    Taraba Assembly reduces LG tenure to two years

    Ahead of Saturday, November 18, local government elections in Taraba, the Taraba state House of Assembly has hastily amended the Taraba state Local Government Law to reduce the tenure of elected officials from three years to two years.

    The chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon Nelson Len, while reacting to questions about the close door session conducted by the House some days ago, disclosed that the new law would be binding on the new local government officials that would emerge on Saturday.

    He said: “The Law is simple. It talks about the local government elections and the tenure of the elected officials of the local government. It was an amendment from three years to two years. We needed to amend it to a new one so that it can be binding on those that would be elected.”

    On why the sitting was done under closed doors, the lawmaker said it was due to the strike action by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), which paralyzed activities.

    He added that due process was followed towards the passage of the Law in the open chamber.

    Read Also: Plateau, Taraba to revive inter-schools, age grade competitions

    He stated: “We had our normal sitting two days ago and it is just our constitutional duties we went to perform. We had a serious business which concerns state matters. Just because we needed time to go through those bills, we went to the House earlier than usual. That was what transpired, there was nothing extraordinary.

    “We had bills that were already laid before the House and we needed to consider those bills to make sure that we passed them so that they can be assented to. As I speak to you we had our sitting today and we took the third reading of one of those bills and it has been passed into law. We are waiting for the governor so that he can give assent to the bill.

    “It is a bill for Local Government administration tenure. You are aware that the local government elections are around the corner and for such a bill to be pending, it would jeopardize the good intentions of the governor. That is why we had to give ourselves enough time to see how we can pass that bill.”

  • Plateau, Taraba to revive inter-schools, age grade competitions

    Plateau, Taraba to revive inter-schools, age grade competitions

    To boost grassroots sports, the Plateau and Taraba state governments have concluded plans to revive inter-schools and age grade sports competitions in their states.

    Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Lawandi Datti, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos.

    Datti said sports competitions would be reintroduced in primary and secondary schools, and would be made compulsory in all schools.

    The commissioner said apart from being a form of physical and health education, the initiative would help in discovering sports talents to represent the state at national and international tournaments.

    “The initiative is also to engage the youths meaningfully and keep them away from crime and social vices like drug abuse.

     “To achieve the goal, the sports ministry will work closely with the education ministry, and come up with a sporting schedule that will be religiously followed by schools.

     “Sports facilities like mini stadia across local government councils will be given priority attention to create avenues for young and old athletes to practise their skills.

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     “At the state level, the Rwang Pam Stadium will be given a facelift, while the new Zaria Road Stadium under construction will be completed,’’ he stated.

     Mr. Joseph Gokum, Chairman, Plateau House of Assembly Committee on Sports, on his part, pledged improved budgetary allocation for the sports sector.

    Gokum said the committee was working closely with all sports stakeholders in the state to also revive grassroots sports.

    The committee chairman said that the idea was to hunt for talents and develop them to become national and international stars.

    “We are currently working on the 2024 Budget, and what we have before us as submitted by the Ministry of Sports is; Inter-schools’ competitions, Inter-Local Government competitions, as well as Governor’s Cup competition.

    “If you notice, such competitions have not been active in recent times in the state. We are going to revive them to help discover talents for the state.

    “Apart from budgeting for the competitions, we will do thorough oversight and ensure strict implementation of the plans,’’ he assured.

    Mr. Suleiman Kwande, Chairman, Plateau Football Association, promised to work with all football stakeholders to prioritise the development of grassroots football in the state.

    Kwande promised to constitute an advisory council of experienced football stakeholders, who will constantly advise the board.

  • 20 die in Taraba boat accident

    20 die in Taraba boat accident

    • ’Govt working to end menace’

    At least 20 persons died in a boat accident in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    This comes a few weeks after a similar one killed over 50 passengers in Karim Lamido Local Government Area.

    According to Chairman of the State Water Transportation, Alhaji Jidda Suleiman, the accident happened between Chinkai of Benue State and the Anyeci area of Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    He said: “The boat was conveying fishermen, comprising people from Ibi and councils. I was told the fishermen were headed to Kwara State in search for greener pasture. Twelve of the 20 are from Ibi, some from Gareji, in Gindin Doruwa, Wukari councils.

    “It has been a tradition for our fishermen to travel every December; some to Cameroon, some to Chad, and other places, to fish till August of the following year. It’s unfortunate that the usual tradition turned to be sorrowful this time. I appeal to the State and Federal governments to assist us with life jackets, which is the only solution to averting a recurrence.”

    Read Also:20 passengers die as boat capsizes in Taraba

    Governor Agbu Kefas described the accident as a terrible tragedy, especially coming shortly after the one at Karim Lamido. He condoled with the people of Ibi and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.

    A statement by his media aide, Emmanuel Bello, said investigation was on to unravel the cause of the incident. The governor also promised to phase out old boats and also provide safety gadgets for passengers.

    The statement reads: “The government is already on top of the situation as investigations are on to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the accidents. Governor Kefas said old boats would soon be phased out, and the use of life jackets made compulsory, among other life-saving measures.”

  • 20 passengers die as boat capsizes in Taraba

    20 passengers die as boat capsizes in Taraba

    A boat accident in Ibi Local Government Area in Taraba State has killed at least 20 passengers, a few weeks after a similar one killed over 50 passengers in Karim Lamido LGA of the state.

    The chairman of Taraba State Water Transportation, Alhaji Jidda Suleiman, was reported to have told reporters that the incident happened in between Chinkai of Benue and the Anyeci area of Wukari local government area of Taraba State.

    He reportedly said: “The boat was conveying fishermen, comprising people from Ibi, and Wukari local government areas of Taraba. I was informed that the fishermen converged and boarded the boat to Kwara State in search of greener pasture, and along the way, they had an accident and over twenty people died. Twelve people out of the dead bodies are from Ibi while, some are from Gareji, in Gindin Doruwa, Wukari LGA of Taraba.

    “It has been a tradition of our fishermen from Taraba that, once it is December, some will travel to Cameroon, some to Chad and other places like that to fish till August of the following year.

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    “It’s unfortunate that the usual tradition turned to be sorrowful this time. I wish to appeal to both the State and federal government to assist us with life jackets, which is the only solution to averting similar incidents.”

    Meanwhile, Governor Agbu Kefas has described the latest boat mishap at Ibi as a terrible tragedy, coming shortly after one of its kind at Karim Lamido.

    He condoled with the good people of Ibi and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.

    In a statement by Special Adviser Media and Digital Communications, Emmanuel Bello, the governor said the investigation was underway to unravel the cause of the incident.

    He promised to phase out the old boats and also provide safety gadgets for passengers.

    The statement read: “The government was already on top of the situation as various investigations were underway to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the boat accidents in the state.

    “Governor Kefas said old boats would soon be phased out, and the use of life jackets made compulsory among other life-saving measures.”

  • Ex-student stabs teacher to death in Taraba

    Ex-student stabs teacher to death in Taraba

    A secondary school teacher, Bassey Sardauna, has been stabbed to death by his former student at Government Model Secondary School, Jalingo, Taraba State.

    Police spokesman Abdullahi Usman confirmed the incident, saying the teacher was attacked while in a tricycle (keke NAPEP) by his former student with whom he had an altercation.

    “An ex-student conspired with his cohorts to stab his teacher, who was inside keke NAPEP.

    “They had an altercation with the teacher and in the process stabbed the teacher. While taking him to hospital, he was confirmed dead,” Usman said.

    He said the police were looking for the suspect identified as James Williams, “with a view of arresting him to face the law”.

    Secondary school teachers across the state have suspended academic activities in protest and in order to mourn their late colleague.

    Confirming the incident, Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Taraba State chapter, Dr. Kazong Ishaku, expressed the union’s shock over the incident and called for investigation and prosecution of the culprit.

    Read Also: Taraba: Tribunal affirms Useni as winner

    He said: “We have received the sad news that our colleague, Mr Bassey Sardauna, was stabbed to death. It is quite unfortunate and indeed it is a heartbreaking news. If this trend continues, it is like an ocean that will swallow all of us.

    “It is in view if this that we demand that the state government put up a security architecture to protect staff and students in our public schools.

    “That the government orders full investigation into the circumstances that led to this heinous act. That the perpetrator of this devilish act be brought to book.

    “On this note, we wish to call on all teachers to suspend academic activities to mourn our member. Our members should wait for further directive from our union.”

  • Mother, one-year-old kidnapped in Taraba

    Mother, one-year-old kidnapped in Taraba

    Kidnappers went on the rampage in Taraba State, kidnapping a mother, her one-year-old baby and a Catholic priest in two separate incidents.

    According to police spokesman, Abdullahi Usman (SP), the kidnap of a mother and her one-year-old baby occurred at their home behind Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo and not around Winners Comprehensive College as earlier speculated.

    Read Also: Catholic Church confirms kidnap of priest in Taraba

    He said the kidnappers had taken along with them the woman, her baby and their house-help, but later released the house-help.

    On the latest situation concerning Rev. Fr Thaddeus Tarhembe, who was kidnapped on Sunday in Wukari, the police spokesperson said the abductors were yet to make any demand.

    Tarhembe, the priest of St Ann’s Parish, Sarkin Kudu in Ibi Local Government was kidnapped on Sunday morning.

  • Taraba boat accident: 14 dead, 12rescued, over 70 missing

    Taraba boat accident: 14 dead, 12rescued, over 70 missing

    Fourteen people have been confirmed dead in the boat accident that occurred at Mayo-Renewo in Ardo-Kola Local Government of Taraba State, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has said.

    Yusuf DanAsabe, the secretary of SEMA, said in an interview yesterday that while over 70 people are still missing, 12 people have been rescued.

    A boat carrying passengers returning from Mayo-Renewo market last Saturday capsized in the state. DanAsabe said the rescued victims were taken to hospital.

    Read Also: Boat with 100 onboard capsizes in Taraba

    He added: “About 12 persons were rescued, 14 bodies were recovered and I think over 70 are still missing. So, rescue operation is ongoing.  The rescued victims are in hospital.”

    In a condolence message, Governor Agbu Kefas had said 12 lives were lost in the boat accident.

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation Zainab Usman hailed the efforts of persons who conducted search and rescue operation.

    He said: “Our condolences go out to all affected by the recent boat accident. We stand by the families in this difficult time, offering our support and prayers.”

  • Catholic Church confirms kidnap of priest in Taraba

    Catholic Church confirms kidnap of priest in Taraba

    The Catholic Diocese of Wukari has confirmed the kidnapping of one of its priests, Rev. Fr Thaddeus Tarhembe in the early hours of Sunday, October 29, at his parish.

    The communications director of the diocese, Rev. Fr John Jerome Laikei, in a press statement, also called for prayers for the safe release of the priest.

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    He said: “I am directed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, Most Rev. Mark Nzukwein, to inform the general public of the kidnap of one of our priests, Very Rev. Fr Thaddeus Tarhembe. The sad event occurred in the early hours of Sunday 29th October 2923 in the Rev. Father’s rectory of his parish.

    “He is the Parish Priest of St Ann’s Parish, Sarkin Kudu in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    “We solicit for prayers from all people of goodwill for the safety and quick release by his abductors.”