by admin | Jan 1, 2017 | Latest News, Lifestyle
Taraba State Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku has challenged christians to donate generously to help build a befitting place of worship where people can make genuine supplications to God Almighty.
Governor Ishaku said this yesterday during the Launching of 120 million Naira for the building of a Proposed Church Auditorium in Mararaba Baisa, Donga Local Government Area.
The Governor who was the Chairman of the occasion told the congregation to give priority to gathering that is Godly and to also avail themselves of his divine blessings and providence.
To the building committee, the Governor advised them to construct a road that will give clear view so that the great edifice that would be built should be seen clearly from the road.
He commended Senator Emmanuel Bwacha for replicating what he did in Abuja, saying that, it is a thing of joy that he has come to do same in his village.
He beckoned on the gathering to donated generously for the project so that it will be completed speedily.
The Governor maintained that Senator Bwacha is a special gift to the CRC-N and prayed for God’s spirit to guide him rightly at all times and charged him not to relent in contributing to the growth of evangelism in Southern Taraba.
He praised the people of Mararaba on the level of their commitment by completing the foundation that is now ready for further elevation.
In his speech, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha stated that he was touched that the old building can no longer accommodate the numbers of worshippers that worship in the church.
He revealed that with the cooperation of his people and support from his colleagues, associates and partners, his village will soon have a befitting place of worship and gave God the glory for his divine Providence.
Speaking during the launching, the Host pastor, Rev Emmanuel Sam said building a church of this magnitude at this time of recession is amazing and also aimed at appreciating and uplifting God’s glorious name.
Rev. Emmanuel Sam further explained that the present worship center has become too small that during Sunday worships it hardly contains up to 30 percent of those that have come to worship, forcing some to returned home without attending the service.
He said from time to time God calls his people to build a worship and prayer house for him to his glory and quoted from the book Haggai 2:1-8 during the time of prophet Haggai, the reign of King Darius and Zerubbabel of Judah, similar building was raised to reverence God.
The cleric urged all to give generously onto God and disclosed that the project has gulped about 17 million Naira and stressed that God still wants his children to come together and give for the completion of the project.
The highest donation of 34 million Naira came from Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, his friends, colleagues and associates.
The Church Auditorium when completed has about 1200 seating Capacity.
by admin | Dec 29, 2016 | Latest News, Lifestyle
Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku says with the high spirit and so much enthusiasm and excitement exhibited by Tarabans during this period of Christmas, Taraba will soon experience a paradigm shift.
Governor Darius Ishaku stated this in Rimi Primary School Takum during the Boxing Day celebration, saying that, Christmas is a day to celebrate agape love therefore everyone should ensure that the love shown during this season of Christmas transcends beyond the celebration and becomes part and parcel of their lives.
Darius Ishaku maintained that where there is love, there wouldn’t be strife whatsoever and tasked those gathered to ensure that peace which is the bedrock of development is maintained and sustained in their respective domain so that government can take advantage of and develop the State speedily.
He reaffirmed his determination to transform the State for the better by engaging the citizenry in skills that will better their lives and to equally contribute meaningfully to the economic development of the State.
The Governor revealed that the first batch of trainees in the State will be graduating by January and another would be engaged until all Tarabans are into one trade or the other, or gainfully employed, adding that this will go a long way in reducing idleness and unnecessary bickering among the people.
Governor Darius Ishaku said concerted effort will be made to ensure Taraba State progresses steadily until it becomes a force to reckoned with in the country, particularly in the areas of tea manufacturing, rice farming, mining and beef production as he urged all Tarabans to tightened their belts because lots of people would involved in the new drive.
Darius Ishaku spoke more on the importance of peace and harmonious coexistence in the State, “This is the peace we are talking about, and you have all shown it, and I commend you all for this wonderful show of love. I urge us to keep sustaining the peace because without peace, the development we all seek will not come to our doorsteps,” he stated.
He appreciated all and sundry for coming to celebrate Christmas with him in his country home, Takum and specially thanked all the dance groups from various Local Government Areas for the wonderful entertainment.
The Governor in his magnanimity gave out two Hajj seats to one Papalolo who is always present at every gathering the Governor attends and to a little Amina, who sang a song for him and also gave gifts to all the cultural groups who performed during the boxing day celebration as a token of love for the season.
Some of the cultural dances displayed during the occasion included that of the Tiv, Ichen, Mumuye, Kuteb, Jukun , and Drama presentation from the Taraba State Arts Council.
by admin | Dec 28, 2016 | Governor's Remarks, Lifestyle
Taraba State Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku has expressed satisfaction with the peace being enjoyed in Wukari Local Government Area.
Governor Darius Ishaku said this at the Christian Reformed Church of the Nation CRC-N Gu Puje while delivering his Christmas message to the people of Wukari and indeed the State.
Darius Ishaku who was visibly excited, expressed pleasure with the restoration of peace in the war ravaged area and added that, since peace has been restored, he is confident that it will afford his administration opportunity to initiate developmental projects that will immediately inject life and peaceful coexistence among the people of the area.
According to him, peace is the most potent instrument that fast tracks development, explaining further, Governor Darius Ishaku said when peace pameates into the hearts of everyone, it would help speed up the process of tolerance and mutual coexistence.
Governor Darius Ishaku reiterated his resolve to as a matter of urgency alleviate the suffering of the people by working frantically towards reinvigorating economic activity in the area.
Darius Ishaku informed the congregation that plans have been concluded to resuscitate the water supply station at Ibi Local Government Area so that water supply will be restored in Wukari and it’s environs immediately.
Similarly, the Taraba State Governor, also revealed that Wukari General Hospital is among hospitals that have been selected for total redesign, reconstruction and the provision of modern health equipment so that the State would be able to meet up in its statutory responsibility of adequately attending to the health needs of the people.
He added that two roads will be constructed in the area and the reconstruction of destroyed communities during the crises, so that, the affected people can return to their various places and go about their normal businesses as they have been used to in the past.
Governor Darius Ishaku emphasised that, maximum attention will be accorded to Wukari which is the headquarters of Southern Taraba, explaining that, even in the face of scarce resources his administration will strive to site projects in the area.
Darius Ishaku used the forum and commended the Aku Uka of Wukari, Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa Ibi, Kuvyon ll for being a Royal father that understands the importance of peace and have worked hard to promote peaceful coexistence in his domain.
Similarly, he commended all the security apparatus, elders and youths for their contribution in restoring peace in Wukari and its environs and challenged them to sustain it.
The Governor however admonished the congregation that the birth of Jesus Christ brought love, joy and peace to the world and beckoned on the people to use this season to show love and accommodate one another.
He urged them not to allow themselves to be used as instruments that will cause disaffection among the people in the area.
Delivering his Christmas message, the Resident Pastor CRC-N, Gu Puje, Rev. Tagarka Garleya emphasised the importance of Christmas to every believer, which he said is centered on showing love, particularly in living a life that is Christ like and with strict adherence to the commandments of God.
Rev. Tagarka Garleya maintained that God sent Jesus to give salvation to mankind, buttressing that, love for one another during this period is what God desires most from all Christians.
He admonished the congregation to examine the lifestyle of Jesus Christ, describing it as rear, unique and all embracing as he challenged Christians to avoid living a life that will lead them to eternal condemnation.
Goodwill messages were received from the Chairman of Wukari, Daniel Adi, the Aku Uka of Wukari who doubles as the Chairman councils of Chiefs Taraba State said concerted effort will be made to sustain peace in the area by being more vigilant at all times.
Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku and the Aku Uka of Wukari , Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa Ibi Kuvyon ll were honoured by the church for their contributions in various peace initiative in the State.
by admin | Nov 1, 2016 | Lifestyle
“Here lies the great son of Kwararafa Empire who fought her course, a man that had vision, wisdom and humility, a man who served humanity, an insatiable treasure to the community and to the Kingdom, ‘’ this were the exact words of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku during the burial of late Jibrin Abdullahi Amfani.
Governor Ishaku described late elder Jibrin Amfani as rare gift to the Kwararafa kingdom who lived a life worthy of emulation and rendered unequalled and selfless service to his people and humanity, explaining that no one has defended the Kwararafa Empire as the deceased
Continuing, the Governor said Elder Amfani has written his name in the sands of history asserting that, late Elder Amfani used his wisdom and intelligence at any given time to render services that involved mediating for the interest of his people, giving cogent advises that has contributed positively to what the present Kwararafa kingdom is today.
Governor Ishaku then used the opportunity to call on people of Kwararafa Empire to emulate the sterling legacies of late Amfani, which was built on selflessness, patriotism, and visionary, with a sincere call to work diligently to key into his vision of a greater Wukari which the Elder statesman desires, particularly making Wukari a capital of Knowledge in Taraba State and the entire Kwararafa Kingdom.
The Governor likened the death of late Jibrin Amfani as an archive totally burnt down to ashes and challenged all jukuns to work assiduously towards ensuring that someone steps into the shoes of late Jibrin Amfani in order to continue from where he stopped.
In his speech, the former Minister of Defense, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma who is the Abonta of Wukari described late Elder Jibrin Amfani as a man of peace who worked tirelessly for the unity of the entire Jukun Kingdom, particularly facilitating the peace process between the Tivs and the jukuns.
Represented by the former Minister of Water Resources, Obadiah Ando said late Jibrin Amfani was an arsenal, saying that, Taraba state has lost a reservoir of knowledge, beacon of peace and a grassroots mobilizer of unimaginable character and ability.
He maintained that time has come to look at the possibility of finding a worthy replacement, which involves critically looking at the man’s history with a view to finding a worthy successor.
“Where can we get another, we need to go through the man’s history and try to live the life that he led, because with him alive as a Kwararafa Nation we have no fear, with him death, the Library has actually burnt down, those that knows a lot like him and are keeping quiet should please come out, we have many boys in the universities let them go back to the books and recreate the history for the future,” he appealed.
Similarly, the Aku Uka of Wukari, Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa Ibi Kuvyon II, who is the Chairman Taraba State Council of Chiefs extolled the virtues of Late Jibrin Amfani describing him as a precious gem to Wukari and indeed the whole of Kwararafa kingdom, a mentor, technocrat and a philanthropist par excellence.
The tribute of late Jibrin Amfani who worked with the Aku as Chairman Advisory committee was read by Dr. John Kaukam an alumnus of the famous Katsina Ala Old boy Association who maintained that late Elder Amfani was a wonderful mobilizer who dedicated his life for truth and for the betterment of humanity.
Dr. Kaukam lamented that Wukari local council will greatly miss his counsel and fatherly advice and direction, most especially the palace of the Aku where he contributed immensely in giving germane advises that affect the peace and progress of the entire council.
Late Jibrin Abdullahi Amfani was born on 15th January 1936 to Mallam Abdullahi Amfani and had his early education in SUM Lupwe between 1943 to 1949, between 1951 to 1952 he was admitted into the famous Benue Middle school Katsina Ala and later proceeded to prestigious Keffi Government college in the present Nasarawa State and former Benue plateau Region where he graduated in 1962 with Cambridge School Certificate.
He was a pioneer student of Ahmadu Bello University and graduated with BA Hons in Public Administration in 1965 and started his civil service career with Northern State Government on 1st July 1965 as a District Officer which was then referred to as D.O at that time and he was in charged of the present day Nguru of the then Borno province.
Late Jibrin Amfani also was seconded to the Nigerian Police and successfully retired from civil service after reaching the pinnacle of his carrier as Permanent Secretary with Gongola State Government in month of April, 1980.
Late Jibrin Abdullahi Amfani is survived by his aged wife, Mrs. Sarah Nwuda Amfani, his sister Hajiya Fulani Fika, 8 children and 19 grandchildren.
He has since been buried according to Christian rites in his compound led by the CRC-N President, Rev. Dr. Caleb Osheka Solomon Ahima
by admin | Sep 18, 2016 | Lifestyle
Taraba state Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku has commended the Christian Reformed Church- Nigeria CRC-N number one Takum for putting together the history of the Church for future reference.
Governor Darius Ishaku made the commendation on Saturday during the Gospel Centenary celebration; dedication of a new parsonage for the residents pastor and the launching of a book titled “The Brief History of CRC-N No1 Takum, saying that putting all the records right from the time of Sudan Mission to the present day church is an invaluable contribution to the growth of the Church.
The Governor said he was gladdened in his heart to be part of the Centenary celebration because his grandfather was part of the historic journey of the Gospel in the Wukari Federation and challenged the present leadership of the Church to use the book as a springboard for a comprehensive research that would be a reference point for upcoming Church leaders.
He also used the opportunity to call on all sons and daughters as well as friends of CRC-N to launch into this Project, as a way of contributing to the mission work and assured the Church that he will support it maximally to enhance the growth of the Church through the gift that God has given him and encouraged all not to relent in contributing for the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Speaking further, Governor Darius Ishaku decried the attitude of Christians towards evangelism, stressing that Christians must key into evangelism. He also pointed out that the Church is passing through a turbulent period, and most Christians are weak and call for change in attitude, emphasizing that, there is the urgent need to be reawakened and make evangelism the front burner in our lives.
Accordingly, he emphasized on the need for the Church to take education seriously asserting that education is the bedrock of development and transformation and encouraged the Church to establish qualitative schools from nursery to university level and added that, the Church should also look into areas like rural development, health, and empowerment.
The Governor praised the charisma of Dr. Rev. Caleb Ahima the present CRC-N president and Rev. Yakubu Shamaki, former president of Reformed Church of Christ in Nigeria RCCN for working together and resolving issues that hitherto put the two churches at loggerheads in the past with a renewed understanding and stated that he was happy and proud of them and frowned at low turnout of CRC-N family to the Centenary celebration.
In his speech as the Chairman of the occasion, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha assessed the Centenary celebration into three different but related perspectives, with first hundred years as a sum total of our yesterday as history which could be bitter or sweet, where we got it right or wrong and how to move forward bearing in mind these pertinent questions of what we achieved, what we have done well and if we can be rewarded by our master Jesus Christ for a job well done.
Senator Bwacha maintained that the second perspective of the one hundred years represents our today, yesterday is history; then today is a gift from the Almighty.
Represented by Dr. Yakubu Yusuf, who noted that gift is a blessing from God which is without sorrow and stressed that gift is a heritage for those who are alive today, positing that the Centenary celebration is a rich collection and experience of late grandfathers and fathers in the faith and it is a gift that must not be jettisoned because it is a reward for their sweat and doggedness in the faith.
Dr. Yakubu Yusuf further said it is no longer time to sit in our comfort zones, but time to stretch out into the friendly and the unfriendly realm, and added that it is not time to ask but to give out for the sake of the Gospel, while the third perspective dwells on the mystery because it is not known what tomorrow shall be and painted a picture of how the Church of Christ has been subjected to demonic attack using the Democratic institution to hamper the growth of the Church.
He challenged the congregation to focus on genuine salvation during this Centenary by fine tuning ways to engender sound Christian values by organizing revival and crusade.
Delivering his sermon to mark the Centenary celebration, the CRC-N president Rev. Dr. Caleb Ahima said to celebrate the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ we need to understand where we started from and where we are today, saying that his grace and mercies kept the Church moving.
Caleb Ahima who read from the book of Isaiah 9:2, said the church is celebrating the revolution of the Gospel with the intent to save souls, give joy to our hearts, celebrating light and new identity that separated us from darkness and titled his message, ‘celebrating the lengthen cord,’ saying that the Gospel of Jesus Christ started from Jerusalem to Samaria to Judea and ends of the world.
Gov. Ishaku and Wife During Gospel Centenary Celebration
He Maintained the celebration is to thank the Almighty God for the grace that came to Takum 100 years ago using different people and stated that Africa as at that time was referred to as dark continent virtually no social amenity and survival of the fittest was the order of the day with many kinds of killer diseases.
The preacher who quoted variously from Bible averred that the coming of Gospel to Takum also came with responsibility, which teaches you to love God above all things and to love your neighbour like you love yourself and to let your light shine before men so that your father in heaven will also glorify you, but said the world today is characterised by hatred, wickedness and other forms of evil acts.
Dr. Caleb Ahima challenged the congregation whether their attitude truly reflects people that have accepted Jesus Christ and said whether our children just like we are celebrating our fathers and grandfathers today would celebrate us in the next 100 years and added that they persevered in the face of resistance occasioned by paganism.
The CRC-N President emphasized that if we live correctly we will never regret and we will bequeath a life of blessings to our children and children’s children and tasks the gathering to make choices that will lengthen the cord and bring life, not pains and sorrows.
Highpoint of the celebration was:
1.) The cutting of the Centenary cake,
2.) Presentation of awards to some pastors that contributed immeasurably for the propagation of Gospel in Takum and beyond, among them was the grandfather of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, late Istifanus Yaku whose award was presented to the Governor on behalf of the family,
3.) Launching of a 113 page book written by five Elders of the Church titled, A brief history of CRC-N No1 Takum reviewed by Rev. David S. Fashanu,
4.) commissioning of the pastor’s parsonage and rendition of songs by various groups in the Church.
by admin | Aug 21, 2016 | Lifestyle
It was an unforgettable moment of joy as Pastor Williams Elue took Pastor Susan Aigbedion, a niece to the Taraba State Governor, Architect Darius Dickson Ishaku to the alter in holy matrimony. The event which was held on the 20th August 2016 at the HEKAN Church, Katsina Road Kaduna was attended by the Governor and his wife, Barr. Anna Ishaku.
The Governor who spoke at the event congratulated the couple on such a momentous occasion stating that their case was a rare and peculiar opportunity God had given them to start all over again as theirs was not just the union of two individuals but the joining of two families.
While giving the exhortation, Pastor Gideon Awala Audu stressed the need for love to reign in every Christian marriage as it was imperative to allow God take charge of every situation to enable couples to consider themselves as fresh and precious gifts to each other in the sight of God.
In his sermon themed “Continuing from where you stopped”, Pastor Awala advised the couple to bury their past and forge ahead to make a home that will be worthy of emulation to others. He stated that they were both called by God to serve as ministers and it is important not to show any segregation among their children but love them all equally.
Pastor Gideon Audu further emphasized the need for the couple to be united as they became one flesh and spirit and said marriage is not a contract that can be revoked but a covenant that is for their entire lifetime.
Barr. Anna Darius Ishaku who was also the chair lady of the occasion congratulated the couple for a successful ceremony and called on the gathering to join the couple in prayers as they begin their new lives together.
Earlier in a remark by the chairperson of the occasion, Prince Sunday Fagbemi congratulated the couple and advised them to stay faithful to one another and love each other no matter the situation as marriage is not to be seen as a bed of roses thereby they must hold unto God as they build their home.
In his vote of thanks, Pastor Williams Elue appreciated God and all that contributed in one way or the other to the success of the wedding ceremony and prayed for journey mercies back to their destinations.
Also in attendance was Hajiya Zainab Haruna Manu, the wife of the Deputy Governor and other prominent dignitaries and aides to the Governor.
