Taraba Facts

The Federal Government has proposed N2 billion in the 2014 budget as counterpart funding for a special economic development initiative for the North East. This is coming about three weeks after President Goodluck Jonathan promised a “special intervention programme” for the region. During the 2nd North-East Economic Summit in Gombe earlier in the month, Jonathan announced that the region will soon benefit from a special intervention programme being packaged by the government to accelerate the zone’s socio-economic development. Details of the 2014 budget available to Daily Trust show that N2 billion was provided under the heading “Federal Initiative for North-East (Pilot Counterpart Funding Contribution).” The use of the phrase ‘counterpart funding’ indicates that the programme would be run together with the six states in the zone. At the North East summit, Jonathan explained that the programme he was coming up with would be executed in partnership with governments of the ...

Emmanuel Njiwa, has been in the power game since the Second republic- a journey that saw him become commissioner, board chairman and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon. In this revealing interview the former Secretary To the Taraba State Government, spoke to bode gbadebo about many burning issues in his home state of Taraba. What led to your removal as the secretary to the Taraba state government? What led to my removal was the political intrigues at the time because I was far removed from what I was accused of. There was no correlation between what they said I did and the actual facts on ground. The truth is that after the plane crash of Governor Danbaba Suntai on October 25, 2012, I visited the ailing governor in Germany in January this yera. By this time, the deputy governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, had been sworn in as acting governor according to the dictates of the Constitution. Now, after my visit, it was his turn to go there and he went to Germany....

The Comptroller of Prisons in Taraba State, Alhaji Isa Bambul has asked the Federal Government to relocate the Jalingo Prisons currently located in the middle of the state capital following the incessant attacks on prisons in the Northeast part of the country. Bambul spoke yesterday in an interview with newsmen during the ongoing symposium/workshop on security sensitisation organised by the prisons in the state. According to him, it was wrong to locate a prison in the mist of civilian community because of the security risks posed in case of security breaches as the people living around such areas end up becoming casualties. Earlier in his speech, Bambul had lamented the incessant attacks on prisons particularly in the North East zone of the country where prison officials spend sleepless nights to ensure that prison walls are secured.

The Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr Mathias Danazumi on Friday, said the state government plans to employ 20 medical doctors in its bid to boost healthcare services to its citizens. He disclosed this in Jalingo at the opening ceremony of the 2013 Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Week/Dinner. He said the recruitment became inevitable as there are inadequate number of medical personnel in the health facilities across the state. Umar also announced that the newly constructed Takum General Hospital would be inaugurated on Dec. 19. He said the hospital was set for operations as drugs and other essential facilities had been procured. He also commended members of the NMA for their selfless services to the people, adding that Taraba would continue to partner with them for effective healthcare service delivery to the people. Earlier, the Chairman of the NMA in the state, Dr Wada Sa...

Recuperating Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, is fit to resume his constitutional duties as the executive governor now, the former governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Boni Haruna has said. He said the most important thing is that Suntai has capable hands around, including his deputy Alhaji Garba Umar, who can complement his efforts. Haruna, accompanied by his wife, spent sev eral hours with Suntai at the Government House, Jalingo on Sunday. Haruna clad in an ash short-Safari suit while the governor wore a milky baban riga. From the governor’s living room, the two kinsmen of the defunct Gongola state went to sit outside, in white rubber chairs. This discussed for several hours. Most of the discussions centred on the governor’s air crash and the political impasse in Taraba. Present were their aides and journalists who later interviewed the former Adamawa governor. Haruna warned politicians, particularly the Taraba State House of Assembly members to stop pl...

The political space is becoming   more free and conducive for women to participate as two female Senators – Helen Esuene (PDP, Akwa Ibom South) and Aisha Jummai Al- Hassan (PDP, Taraba North) – on Wednesday declared their ambition to contest the 2015 governorship election in their respective states. The women declared their intention at a joint press briefing held at the National Assembly. According to them, they decided to contest the governorship election of their respective states to complement the efforts men had been making over the years in the same capacity. They also pledged to “bring about more impactful governance on citizens of the states as far as genuine development was concerned”. Esuene said, “We are not saying we are better than men that have been occupying these positions over the years in the two states and infact across the 36 states of the federation. “We are only saying as responsible women, we shall be less distracted in office like any of the men...

Taraba State Acting Governor Alhaji Garba Umar has send the name of Danladi Yakubu Balutu to the state House of Assembly for confirmation as chairman State Universal Basic Education Board. A letter personally signed by the Acting Governor is requesting the House to confirm the nominee in line with the 1999 Constitution. After reading the letter at the flour of the House, the Speaker Josiah Sabo Kente directed the Clark of the Assembly Ismail Tentason Ukwen to communicate with the nominee to present thirty copies of his curriculum vitae to the House and to appear before it on Monday next week.

Taraba State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday said it had arrested 70 drug suspects and seized 700.7 kilogrammes of cannabis between January and November 2013.  NDLEA Commandant in Taraba, Ishaku Kwajaffa, who said this while speaking on the activities of the agency in 2013, added that 650 grammes of psychotropic substances were also seized within the period. He said that 17 of those arrested were convicted by the court and sentenced to various prison terms with 21counselled and released to their parents while the others are still undergoing counselling.  The NDLEA boss said most of the arrests were made in Jalingo, Wukari, Takum and Bali area councils of the state, adding that the command could have done more if it had adequate operational vehicles to penetrate the hinterland.  He called on the Taraba State government to assist the command in the provisions of operational vehicles and a rehabil...

Rt. Hon. Speaker, J.S Kente Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly Josiah Sabo Kente has announced minor changes in the House standing committees. Under the new arrangement, Edward Baraya member from Karim Lamido is the new chairman House committee on Finance and Appropriation while Hamma-Adama Abdullahi member from Bali is the new chairman House committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Josiah Sabo Kene said changes were normal in the House and asked the new chairmen to evolve new ideas that would lead to the success of their assignment. Also the House received two communications, one from the Ministry of Justice in respect of medium term expenditure for 2013 to 2014 while another communication was send in by the Taraba State Physical Responsibility Commission. The Speaker Josiah Sabo Kente requested the members to study the two documents with a view to deliberate on them within the week.

There is “heavy looting” going on in Taraba state, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Amb. Emmanuel Njiwah alleged. Njiwah who briefed reporters in Abuja, accused the Acting Governor Alhaji Garba Umar of being corrupt. Njiwah and five commissioners and two special advisers were sacked by Umar for allegedly mismanaging N400 million flood mitigating grant in July. But the former SSG said he was removed because he refused to support the acting governor, whom he said is desperate to become the substantive governor. Njiwah said they have sued Umar over the sack. “The deputy governor was the chairman of the committee,” he added. He alleged that Umar masterminded the ongoing political impasse in the state in order to plunder the state’s treasury. “He said: Umar has betrayed the governor by scheming to take over power from him at all cost. “He has become the number one enemy of Governor Danbaba Suntai because he is trying to unseat him. “No one would have...

A political group known as The Save Taraba Group (TSTG) has called for the swearing-in of the Acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar as substantive governor without further delays following what it called the existence of a ‘parallel administration’ in the state. In a press statement issued in Abuja by the coordina tors of the group Mr. Adamu Bello and comrade Inuwa Benson, TSTG said the call became necessary to preserve the economic and political future of the state. “While capital expenditures are dispensed with the approval of the governor, contingency funds are shared between the office of the governor and that of the acting governor, in what is believed to be a weird parallel administration in a constitutional democracy,” the group said. It further said the current arrangement was beginning to create an uneasy calm as it has resulted in the “stalling of state projects and proposals, creation of lethargy in decision making process, mutual suspicio...

Wife of Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai of Taraba State, Hajiya Hauwa Suntai, Saturday said her husband’s health condition is improving. Hauwa spoke at the ‘Ukenho Festival of Arts and Culture’ in Kente town of Wukari Local Government Area, thanking people of the state for their prayers for the governor and expressing confidence that he would participate in next year’s edition of the cultural fiesta. She said she was at the event because her husband had always been passionate about it and had been an active participant in previous ones before the plane crash in 2012 which led to the cancellation of last year’s edition. She said the event would help in the promotion of unity and cultural values of the people, adding that parents should cultivate the habit of teaching their children their local dialects in the home rather than communicating with them in English. According to her, children can always learn English language from their teachers in school as well ...

A fresh concern began yesterday over the political leadership in Taraba State nearly four months after the arrival of injured Governor Danbaba Suntai from medical treatment abroad. The return had resulted in an unusual power sharing arrangement between Mr. Suntai and the Acting-Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar. By the power sharing arrangement brokered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national leadership, recuperating Suntai remains as governor, while Umar is responsible for the day to day administration of the state, in consultation with Suntai. While capital expenditures are for instance, dispensed with the approval of the governor, contingency funds are shared between the office of the governor and that of the Acting Governor, in what is believed to be a weird parallel administration in a constitutional democracy. Competent sources said yesterday that the arrangement is beginning to generate an uneasy calm as it has resulted in the stalling or the frustration...

STATE ACTING GOVERNOR, ALH. GARBA UMAR Tarava State Acting Governor Alhaji Garba Umar has approved the appointment of Asabe Maingwa as Taraba State Head of Service to replace Augustine Bazin . In a statement from the office of the Acting Governor today in Jalingo, the Acting Governor also directed Danladi Balutu to take over the State Universal B asic Education Board from Hilkiya Bubajoda Mafindi as the Executive Chairman. Similarly, Alhaji Garba Umar has approved the transfer of SomePermanent Secretaries. Those affected are Habila Jaman from the State Ministry of Works to the Ministry of Finance, Lydia Baba moves from Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Women Affairs While Abdulmumini Ndoba moves to the Ministry of Agric from Home Affairs to replace Ifraimu kifasi who is now Permanent Secretary for Bureau for Land and Survey. Also Alhaji Umar Ibrahim has been transfered to the Ministry of work as new Perm Sec while the Department of Home Affair will be headed by...

Investigations by SaharaReporters reveal that poverty-plagued Taraba State has so far spent more than $1.2 million (close to N200 million) in ten months on the medical treatment of brain-injured Governor Danbaba Suntai. The state has also spent millions of naira more in security votes to the in jured governor, estacode payments to him as well as members of Mr. Suntai’s inner circle, and transportation. The total cost to the state is close to half a billion naira, our investigative team discovered. Mr. Suntai was injured in October, 2012 when a small plane he was piloting crashed near Yola Airport in Adamawa State. Mr. Suntai was attempting to land at the time of the accident. After a brief stay at the National Hospital, Abuja, the injured governor was flown to a hospital in Germany. He was later transferred to the Johns Hopkins Hospital in the State of Maryland, the United States. After spending a few months there, he was admitted at a rehabilitation center for tr...

Newly promoted Nigeria Professional Football League side Taraba FC have handed the coaching job of the club to former Heartland coach Ndubuisi Nduka. Coach Nduka has reportedly held talks with the Jalingo-based club’s management and will be leading the side in the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season. According to the club chairman, Tijjani Babangida, the coach has an option to extend the contract at the end of the season. The former Super Eagles midfielder added that plans to beef up the squad ahead of the forthcoming season is a top priority for the coach and the management. Coach Nduka is expected to immediately resume duty after his official presentation to the players. The tactician led Heartland to a back-to back Nigeria Federation Cup successes in 2011 and in 2012. He has also coached Plateau United.

Jalingo — Twenty four thousand, nine hundred and thirty people out of the 110, 849 people living with HIV/AIDS in Taraba State are on treatment. Director General/Permanent Secretary of the Taraba State AIDS Control Agency (TACA) Dr Siman Ambita'a, at a press conference ahead of the 2013 World AIDS Day, said more health facilities have been opened up to offer better access to HIV/AIDS treatments. He said 108 people were recorded to have died from AIDS in the state in 2012, stressing that the figure could be higher due to the challenge of under reporting of such cases occasioned by ignorance and fear of stigmatisation. "We now offer Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services in 57 health facilities as compared to 51 facilities in 2012. Seventy nine facilities now offer HTC services as against 61 facilities in 2012", he said. He said as part of activities marking this year's World AIDS Day, TACA would be condu...

A policeman, Corporal Samuel Milar, in the early hours of Thursday, shot himself dead inside the Taraba State Government House, Jalingo. Though the reasons for killing himself is yet to be ascertained, Milar, who was one of the security detail attached to Governor Danbaba Suntai, shot himself at about 6:15 am with his rifle shortly after signing for the rifle at about 5:52 a.m. Confirming the incident in a telephone interview, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jibril Olawale Adeniji, said the command had commenced investigations to determine whether Milar was killed as a result of accidental discharge or whether he actually took his own life. According to him, “I can confirm to you that Milar was killed today inside the Government House. The incident occurred in the early hours of the day but we have commenced investigations into the matter to determine whether he was killed as a result of accidental discharge or he deliberately shot himself. We’ll make our findings known as soon...

The Nigerian Human Rights Community, a coalition of human rights groups and non-governmental organisations in the country, has condemned what it called ‘parallel government’ currently ruling in Taraba State. The group claimed that the unfolding political event in the state was reminiscent of the era of the late President Umaru Yar Adua when a ‘cabal’ denied the citizenry of legitimate governance. The NHRC stated this on Monday in a statement jointly signed by the President, Coalition of Nigeria Civil Rights Group, Mr. Samuel Adelaja; Director, Centre for Democracy and Socio-Economic Development, Mr. Popoola Ajayi; and President, United Middle Belt Youth Congress, Mr. Omababa Abuka. According to the group, it is undemocratic for a “small group of people to be holding to the reigns of power on behalf of the ailing state Governor, Danbaba Suntai.” The development, the statement stated, could lead to unprecedented escalation of crisis in the North Eastern state, w...

The acting governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar has denied media report  that he was deliberately absent during the turbaning ceremony of former defence minister, Lt. General T. Y. Danjuma over the weekend at Donga in the state. Umar, who spoke to LEADERSHIP through his chief press secretary, Mr Kefas Sule yesterday in Jalingo said that the acting governor was earlier invited to commission some projects in Bauchi State before he received the invitation of the turbaning ceremony. Kefas said that the acting governor deemed it imperative to attend the commissioning ceremony at Bauchi because he had earlier promised that he was going to be part of the commissioning. “The acting governor went to Bauchi State because a street in Bauchi was to be named after him,” he said. Kefas, further said that he was not aware of any sore relationship between the acting governor and the war veteran, General Danjuma. “I don’t know if Lt. General T.Y. Danjuma has resolved ...

A former Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma(retd.), has been asked to stop referring to the Acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, as Deputy Governor. A political pressure group,Taraba Justice Forum, which stated this in a press statement in Abuja on Wednesday, therefore faulted th e continued reference to Umar as deputy governor by Danjuma. The former minister had referred to the acting governor as deputy governor at the weekend during his (Danjuma’s) chieftaincy installation in the state. While faulting the former Chief of Army Staff, the group said Umar “remains the acting governor until the full recuperation of his boss, Danbaba Suntai.” In the statement, which was signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Ambulus John, the TJF said it was “shocked that rumours that had already gained ground wwere unwittingly or wittingly confirmed by General Danjuma,” adding “We have refused to believe that the General will be a party to the activiti...

This, the House says is in a bid to get to the root of an alleged non-remittance of $13 billion by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, The resolution followed a debate on a motion by Rep. Haruna Manu (PDP, Taraba) on the need to make the government agency render account on how much it realised from the sale of crude this year. Manu said that whereas, NNPC claimed to have remitted $20 billion to the federation as crude oil sales from January to August; it only remitted seven billion dollars to government. He said a document before him showed that the corporation generated 29 billion dollars between the periods under review and remitted only seven billion dollars to the Federation Account. “All returns accruing to the NNPC from crude oil sales and such transactions in the oil sector are supposed to be remitted to the Federation Account in accordance with Section 162 (1) of the constitution,’’ he said. Section 162 (1) states that the federation shall mainta...

The state commissioner added that the EXCO meeting resolved that commissioner of finance had been mandated to come up with the actual revenue generation of the state especially the internal generated revenue which according to him will give focus and ideas to government on the possible ways of actualizing its target. The Taraba state commissioner also said deliberation on how best to tackle unemployment of youths in the state were discussed and that government is at present working round the clock to ensure the issue is been handled with utmost seriousness. Ate Sale Kundu said EXCO had also approved the purchase of 1000KVA generator plant for Bali rural electrification project adding that the state acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar has agreed the payment of teachers’ salaries in the state and directed the state commissioner of education Hon. Mathias Dan’Azumi to work out modalities to ensure all scholarship students schooling abroad be paid all the allowances without further delay ...

Even when the Independent National Electoral Commission {INEC} has not blow it whistle for the commencement of political activities, posters of the Acting Governor of Taraba state, Alhaji Garba Umar, signifying his readiness to ascend the number one position in the state, come 2015 are glaringly adorning public place in the state capital. Though always claimed that he is one hundred percent loyal to his boss, Governor Danbaba Suntai, but his body language indicated that he is toiling all paths to ousted Suntai even before the expiration of his tenure. The posters which are visibly pasted along major roads along side with that of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as reliably gathered by LEGISREPORTS are as well lucidly available in most of the local government council headquarters in the state. This sole action as noticed by LEGISREPORTS is presently raising dust as members of the opposition political parties are threatening to tread the same path if urgent steps a...

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on the Taraba State House of Assembly to set up a medical panel to examine the state of health of Gov. Danbaba Suntai.This came just as members of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Tuesday gave the nod to recuperating Governor Danbaba Suntai to resume work based on his claim that he was fit enough to carry on with the task of administering the state.But as at Tuesday, many natives of the state were still divided over the true state of the governor’s health with a section fearing that the frail-looking governor, who returned to Jalingo on Sunday after ten months of overseas treatment, was not fit enough to return to work.The CNPP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osita Okechukwu, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja.Okechukwu reacted to the alleged moves to allow Suntai resume duties as the governor of the state.He said this was in accordance with the provision of the constitution which stipulates that a medica...

Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba State Governments have expressed their support to the proposed National Conference organised by President Goodluck Jonathan, describing it as a welcome development. They also promised to take part in the evolution of a new Nigeria, which will benefit all the citizenry. This is coming as the Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, said the state government was ready to make an official presentation that would represent the diverse views of the people of the state to the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) on the National Conference. The three states declared their support yesterday, while presenting their separate positions before the PAC in Bauchi. Presenting the position of the Bauchi State Government, a one-time Secretary to the Military Government, Alhaji Muhammadu Maishanu, advised that the membership of the committee should be shared equally, saying 50 per cent of the members should be elected, while the remaining 50 per cent should...

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Taraba State government at the weekend flagged off the 2013 trans-boundary aerial spray of chemical against quelea birds in the state. The exercise which is to last for 10 days, aims at controlling the devastating activities of the migratory pests on cereal crops. Representative of the Director of Livestock and Pest Control at Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Johnson Waziri, said the exercise would inhibit hatching of eggs by queala birds, kill their fledglings and prevent others from further laying of eggs. He said the exercise is line with the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda aimed at enhancing abundant food production and food security. He said quelea birds are migratory in nature and as such, their control cannot be done in one operation. Waziri said the aerial chemical spraying exercise is being handled by an experienced agro aviator consultant, Global Air Service, assuri...

Taraba Sate Acting Governor Alhaji Garba Umar UTC has commended Bauchi State government for providing basic infrastructure to the people. The Acting Governor made the commendation in Futuk, Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi state over the weekend while flagging off the construction of township roads in Futuk. One of the roads which is leading to the house of district head of Futuk will be named Alhaji Garba Umar

Former Minister of Defence, retired Lt General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma Saturday called for peace and justice in Taraba State to ensure the much needed development in the state. Speaking while being conferred the traditional title of ‘Gam Gbaro Donga’ (War Field Marshall) by the Gara Donga, Dr Stephen Danjuma Banyonga at his palace in Donga council of Taraba State, Danjuma commended the Gara Donga for the honour as well as his efforts in maintaining peace and unity among the Chamba people in Taraba, Adamawa, Togo, Ghana and Cameroon. “When there is peace, our people can dance and rejoice; without peace, there will be no development. I pray that people in our land continue to enjoy peace; we need justice from our rulers; we need justice from our politicians. Without justice, there can be no peace”, he said. The Gara Donga, Dr Stephen, said the conferment of the title was in recognition of his contributions to the development of the area as well as his philanthropic ...

Acting Governor of Taraba State, AlhajiGarba Umar, did not sign letters to the State Assembly as governor and has not violated any court order as alleged by a civil society group, the Taraba Justice Forum has declared. A civil society group had on Thursday accused the acting governor of signing letters as executive governor of Taraba state and of violating a court order restraining the Assembly from screening commissioners’ list. The forum in a statement signed by its secretary general, Barrister John Ambulus, said it investigated the allegations and found that “the letter sent to the Assembly which was acknowledged and stamped and verified showed that the letter though written on the letter head of the state Governor, was signed by Alhaji Umar as acting governor. “The one we saw was stamped received by the assembly and the one they said civil society coalition paraded was forged as it was not stamped nor signed received by the Assembly. We will soon publish the ...

Taraba Political Crisis! » A coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, in Nigeria has called on the acting governor of Taraba state, Alhaji Garba Umar, to revert to his position as the deputy governor, urging him to respect the rule of law in order not to breed crisis in the state. Addressing a press conference, Secretary- General, Conscience Nigeria, Comrade Opeyemi Duke stressed that Alhaji Garba Umar was supposed to perform his duty in the acting capacity as directed by the House of Assembly in compliance with the constitution. Duke expressed disappointment that the Deputy Governor had began addressing letters as the governor, as well as forwarding names of commissioner nominees to the state House of Assembly. “The Deputy Governor wrote a letter dated 30/10/2013 in the letter headed paper of Executive Governor of Taraba state and signed in that capacity as Executive Governor, forwarding names of Commissioner Nominees to the House of Assembly. This show...

Indications have emerged that the deputy speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Alhaji Tanko Maikerifi, and the deputy majority leader of the assembly, Hon. Josiah Sabon Kente, are in a two-way battle to succeed the Taraba speaker, Hon Haruna Tsokwa who died yesterday following a brief illness. Sources disclosed yesterday the late speaker had slumped in his residential house along Mile 6 Road in Jalingo, the state capital, and was rushed to the Chief Medical Centre where he was later confirmed dead. The speaker, who was at the fore-front of the state’s lawmakers who opposed the resumption of work by ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai, despite his plea to return to work, was expected to lead the Taraba State contingent of this year’s Christian pilgrimage in Israel. The speaker’s remains were later taken to the state specialist hospital where it was deposited in the mortuary. Another sources disclosed that with the demise of the speaker, the political permutatio...