Taraba state Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has solicited for partnership with the Turkish government in his quest towards the development of the state.
Governor Darius Ishaku made the appeal during a bilateral visit recently to the Turkish Ambassador in Abuja with a view to looking at areas that the Turkish Government and Taraba state can partner for the benefit of Taraba State and Turkey.
He told the Turkish Ambassador that, Taraba state is richly blessed with both human and natural resources that need to be exploited for the good of its citizens. He, however, said that Taraba state is desirous of partnering with people that possess the technical know how and sincere in the partnership, pointing out that Turkey has all the requisite qualities needed.
The Governor listed areas required for collaboration with the Turkish Government which included, Agriculture, Health, water, Youth empowerment, mining, tourism, power, road construction, education and housing.
Darius Ishaku said Taraba state is the most peaceful state in the Northeast sub-region and his administration has been working relentlessly to maintain the peace.
He said though the state is only facing internal clashes, which he is working assiduously to promote peaceful coexistence at all levels.
He pointed out that the state is suffering from a dearth of infrastructure, saying that, with a genuine partnership with the Turkish Government, it would help significantly in alleviating the sufferings of the people.
Earlier, the Turkish Ambassador, Mr. Hakan Cakil appreciated the Governor and his team for a visit, assured that the Turkish Government would look into areas that would be suitable for the partnership.
Ambassador Hakan Cakil informed Governor Darius Ishaku that a team of Turkish professionals under the auspices of Turkish International Cooperation Agency for Development TICAD, would be visiting Nigeria in the month of May this year and assured the Governor that he would ensure that the team visits Taraba State with a view to opening up floodgates of mutual partnership.
He revealed that many Nigerians are schooling in Turkey, saying recently the Turkish Government gave twenty-nine scholarship to Nigerians to study in Turkey and he intends to significantly increase the number in the next phase of the programme.
The Ambassador said he has also held meetings recently with the Governors of Borno, Sokoto and Kano which also centres on infrastructural development.
Ambassador Hakal Cakil said Turkish Government will be interested in the areas mentioned by the Governor, saying that when the delegation arrives in May this year, TICAD would be visiting Taraba state with a view to identifying the projects to start with.