Taraba Facts

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...

The ailing Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai, on Monday described the death of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, as a great loss to the state. The governor said this in Jalingo via a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Mijinyawa. The statement said that Mr. Tsokwa was a politician of considerable standing, adding that he had performed well in his representation of Takum 1 Constituency in the state legislature since 2007. “The late Hon. Tsokwa will be remembered for his ability to stand firm by any cause he believed in and his contribution to the democratic experience in Taraba State,” it said. Mr. Tsokwa died on Monday morning at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, after a brief illness.

Hon. Haruna Tsokwa died on Monday morning. The Acting Governor of Taraba state, Garba Umar, on Monday evening visited the family of the late speaker of the state House of Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, to console with them over the death of the speaker. Mr. Tsokwa died on Monday morning in Taraba. Mr. Umar informed the family that the state government will finance the studies of the four children left by Mr. Tsokwa from primary school to the University. Mr. Tsokwa left four kids comprising one boy and three girls. He described them as “My Treasures” in a picture of them he posted on his facebook page on August 7, 2012. The governor’s spokesperson, Kefas Sule, informed PREMIUM TIMES that the state government would also complete the House Mr. Tsokwa was building for the family in Takum Local Government. Mr. Sule also said the state government would sponsor the burial ceremony of the late speaker, adding that “tentatively the burial will take place on the 28th of this ...

The governor’s spokesperson confirmed the death. The Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, is dead. Mr. Tsokwa’s age is unknown at this time. He died of an undisclosed ailment this morning at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, the Taraba state capital. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Mr. Tsokwa took ill last Thursday and was rushed to hospital. Kefas Sule, spokesperson for Acting Governor Garba Umar confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Tsokwa had passed on. “He died this morning, after just a brief illness,” he said. Mr. Sule however declined to provide further details, saying the government would await the outcome of reports from the speakers’ doctors before making any further pronouncement on the matter. There were speculations by some of the late speaker’s supporters that Mr. Tsokwa was poisoned, but they could not substantiate the claim. PREMIUM TIMES could also not independently verify the claim. The late speaker had been a staunch s...