Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas has said his administration is strengthening intelligence gathering and community participation as part of efforts to address insecurity in the state.
Speaking on Thursday during a media briefing in Jalingo to mark the state’s 35th anniversary, the Governor said prevention of drug abuse, cultism, youth unemployment and illegal mining would form a core part of a broader security strategy aimed at tackling the root causes of crime.
He also highlighted the role of traditional institutions in governance and peacebuilding. According to him, traditional rulers remain indispensable partners in governance and early warning systems at the grassroots. The Governor urged them to remain neutral and committed to peace, while assuring that government would continue to support the institution to enable it discharge its responsibilities effectively.
On youth, sports and women development, Kefas said his administration would integrate youth empowerment into education, agriculture, technology and entrepreneurship. He stated that sports would be used as a tool for unity and talent discovery across the 16 local government areas. The administration also pledged to expand opportunities for women in enterprise, agriculture and public life, noting that no meaningful development can occur while women remain economically excluded.
Addressing the economic hardship facing citizens, the Governor announced Taraba CARES, a six-month Social Investment and Poverty Relief Programme to run from October 2026 to March 2027. The programme will provide food assistance, temporary employment, agricultural inputs, health outreach and support for vulnerable persons including older citizens and persons living with disabilities. Kefas stressed that, Taraba CARES “will not become a political sharing programme” and that beneficiaries would be selected based on verified need, transparency and community accountability.
In the area of governance, the administration disclosed that it had implemented the new minimum wage and was working to build a more professional and technology-driven civil service. The Governor pledged fiscal responsibility, transparent budgeting and sustainable debt management, adding that public resources must be managed in a way that delivers value to citizens.
A major highlight of the briefing was the launch of the Taraba Development Master Plan. The Governor said the plan was designed to end “accidental development” and ensure continuity across administrations. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to rural development, emphasizing that the 16 LGAs and 168 wards must not be left behind in the provision of schools, healthcare, roads, water, markets and electricity.
“Government can build infrastructure and make policy, but government alone cannot create all the jobs our people need,” Kefas said. “Taraba is open for business to responsible investors. Taraba is not open for abuse.”
The Governor concluded by urging citizens to take ownership of security in their communities by reporting suspicious activities. He called for continued partnership between government and the people to build a Taraba where the state’s vast potential finally translates into prosperity.
