by admin | Mar 7, 2017 | Latest News, Rescue Mission
By Nick Dugba.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), has identified with the rescue team of Gov. Darius Dickson Ishaku and urged the youth to support the mission to enable it to accomplish its mission.
The President of the Council, Murtala Mohammed, made this declaration Tuesday when he paid a thank you visit to Taraba State for the support he received all the way to the exalted position.
Mohammed, who hails from Taraba, stressed that the days of “ethnic and religious entrepreneurs” were over and urged the youth to take their destinies in their hands, noting that government could only support the youth but not solve their problems.
He added that Taraba as a multi-ethnic state was a blessing and not a curse and should be a source of development.
He berated religious clerics who have become politicians and used the youths to their advantage, saying God was not interested in one’s religion but humanity.
While answering questions from reporters, Mohammed, traced the little participation of the female gender in youth activities to a culture which is restrictive.
He also disclosed that part of the agenda of the council was to sensitise the youth on the need to shun drug abuse.
In his remarks, the National Secretary of the Council, appealed to President Buhari, to “as a matter of urgency” assent to the bill establishing the Peace Corps of Nigeria. He said as a youth-friendly president; he was sure the president would assent to the Law as soon as he arrives the country from his sick leave.
While receiving the president in his office, the Chairman, NYCN, Taraba state, Udi Adamu, urged the president to give the state council maximum support, advice and encouragement to make it strong.
The highlight of the event was prayers for the health of President Buhari as well as the success of Governor Ishaku. Also, a gold medal and plaque were presented to the president by the National Association of Jukun Students and North East Youth Initiative Forum respectively.
Meanwhile, the State Commandant of the Peace Corp of Nigeria, Manti D. Manti, used the opportunity to encourage Taraba youths to enrol into the organisation, saying the quota for the state was yet to be filled.
The commandant who was accompanied to the event by members of the Corps warned that should the quota remain vacant, other States might take the place of Taraba.
In another development, while the NYCN procession was leaving the Jolly Nyame stadium, venue of the event, a trailer on transit trying to beat the convoy, allegedly hit a commercial motorcycle conveying some youths.
The driver attempted to escape and as a result drew the ire of the youths and Peace Corps members who made efforts to stop him.
This led to a gridlock, and the driver managed to dangerously manoeuvre his way out.
He was later pursued by the convoy including the NYCN president up to the southern end of the city gate where the driver submitted himself to the soldiers at the checkpoint.
Reports say the truck was held by the soldiers and the driver handed over to law enforcement agents.
by admin | Mar 7, 2017 | Latest News, Rescue Mission
Taraba State Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku has tasked the newly sworn in Special Advisers and Chairman of Ibi Local Government Caretaker Committee to evolve ways that will help turn the state around.
Darius Ishaku said this at the Government House Exco Chamber Jalingo during the swearing of four newly appointed Special Advisers, caretaker Chairman of Ibi and the inauguration of Chairman and Board members of Community and Social Development Programme CSDP.
He charged them to carry the people along by informing them on the policies and programmes of Government.
Speaking on the cancellation of Ibi council polls, the Governor disclosed that it became necessary in order to prevent loss of lives and property, asserting that, the life of every Taraban is precious and valuable, saying any mistake on the part of Government would create the desired opportunity for hoodlums to unleashed mayhem on innocent people of Ibi.
He appealed to the people of Ibi community to embrace peace and live in mutual peace and harmony with each other and challenged all traditional rulers always to strive to be vigilant by knowing people that come to their respective domain with evil intention and report them to the appropriate authorities.
Darius Ishaku also charged Ibi stakeholders to work in harmony with the CTC Chairman to ensure that lasting and enduring peace is returned to the area.
Addressing the Special Advisers, Governor Darius Ishaku stated that they are coming on board when the times are hard and called on them to be creative and generate ideas that will help achieve the desired objective of the Rescue Mission.
Similarly, he challenged the Chairman of Community and Social Development Programme CSDP, Hon. Abubakar Ubale and the entire members of the board to be conscious of the fact that the CSDP programme is a world bank project in partnership with Taraba state Government and will not condone any failure from them.
Taraba state Governor beckoned on them to ensure a close watch on the activities of the partnership in order not allow the ugly incident of the past to reoccur, particularly, now that the country is faced with financial challenges coupled with the increasing demands from the electorate.
Speaking on behalf of the new appointees, Dr. Edward Jedua Ahmad hinged his speech on the popular saying that God’s is the best, however, said, is not only the best but the only one and assured the Governor that, they are ready to put in their very best for the growth of the state.
Dr. Jedua maintained that they would ensure that their responsibilities are carried out with utmost diligence so that at the end it would translate into positive service the people.
Those sworn in by the state Chief Judge, Justice Josephine Yakubu Tuktur as Special Advisers were Dr. Edward Jedua Ahmad, Jonah Shamaki, Ismaila Hamman Gabdo Sambo and Kamlen Adda while Hon. Adashos Jonathan Adashos as the caretaker Chairman of Ibi local Government.
by admin | Mar 5, 2017 | Governor's Remarks, Latest News, Rescue Mission
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.
by admin | Feb 21, 2017 | Governor's Remarks, Latest News, Rescue Mission
Taraba state Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has tasked the joint labour unions in the state to assist him in tracking leakages in Salaries of Civil Servants.
Governor Darius Ishaku gave this charge when the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress paid 
him a courtesy call at the Government House Jalingo.
He said the rate of leakages in Workers’ salaries in the state is pathetic as it was discovered that some people collect more than ten people’s salaries to the detriment of others.
The Governor stated that despite the dwindling revenue of the country, he is trying his best to ameliorate the sufferings of the people through the prompt payment of salaries across board.
Governor Darius Ishaku called on Non- Academic staff of the Taraba State University to be calm as government is making frantic efforts to settle their arrears in instalments.
He advised Civil Servants to embrace entrepreneurship in a bid to diversify their sources of income instead depend solely on salaries.
Governor Darius Ishaku maintained that peace has no substitute hence the need for the Labour Unions to support his peace model in the state.
The Governor also tasked them to support him to engage professional nurses that would service hospitals that would be renovated in the state.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Peter Gambo, who spoke on behalf of the joint unions, applauded the developmental strides of Governor Darius Ishaku.
He said despite the lean resources at government coffers, the Governor was able to construct roads and ensure payment of salaries in good time.
The labour leader appealed to the state Governor to subsidize the cost of the proposed housing units to be constructed in the state and also design means to pay retirees gratuities to ameliorate their sufferings.
The Unionist queried the rationale of some mischief makers who are bent on distorting peace in the state and called on all Tarabans to support the development and peace initiative of the Governor.
Peter Gambo stressed that the Unions would always remain at the forefront of representing the people to improve their standard of living.
by admin | Feb 20, 2017 | Latest News, Rescue Mission
Taraba State Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku has appealed to the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency commence work at the Mambila Hydroelectric Power Station.
Arc. Darius Ishaku made the appeal today in his office, Government House Jalingo when the Minister of State for Works, Housing and Power paid him a courtesy visit to intimate him on the purpose of his visit.
Darius Ishaku said the Mambila Hydroelectric Power Station when completed has the capacity to generate about three thousand five hundred Megawatts of electricity and pointed out when completed it would reduce the high level of unemployment in the country.
He revealed that, there are about six to seven processes that must be strictly adhered to in order to forstall any problem from the host community pointing out that.
According to him, these processes would take more than one year to resolve, therefore the earlier the Federal Government in collaboration with the State Government kick starts the processes, the better it will be.
The Governor maintained that electricity is the only viabke means that can generate employment to large number of people and said effort should be intensified with a view to commencing work on the project for the common good of country and to create employment for the teaming youths.
Speaking on Housing, Darius Ishaku told the Minister that there is a working Memorandum of Understanding between Taraba State and German investors to construct 5000 housing units and disclosed that work has already commenced with the clearing of the piece of land allocated to them for the housing units.
Governor Darius Ishaku said his desire is for every Civil Servant to own a house before exiting the Civil Service, explaining that, most of the retirement age falsification stems from the fact that most Civil Servants are unable to own personal houses at retirement.
He stated that the new plan is for person joining the Taraba State Civil Service, should be able to own a house in a span of five to ten years and informed the Minister that he intends to make Taraba Savings and Loans more vibrant and resulted oriented in the provision of affordable houses for Civil Servants, adding that a modality is being worked out, on how best the Taraba Savings and Loans would partner with the Federal mortgages Bank for the success of the initiative.
Arc.Darius Ishaku disclosed that, the Taraba Savings and Loans have recently built some units of houses and are awaiting commissioning.
Earlier in his speech, the Minister of State for Works, Housing and power, Alhaji Mustapha Baba Shehuri said he was in Jalingo to commission two hundred and two housing units which was a ministerial pilot scheme of the present administration led by President Mohammadu Buhari.
Mustapha Shehuri told the Governor that the entire Housing units was financed by the Federal Mortgage Bank and developed using local content in order to create employment and to also make the houses affordable to public servants across the State.
The Minister further revealed that the second phase of the housing scheme would soon commenced as well as the rehabilitation of Jalingo to Numan has also been awarded and appreciated the State Government for the wonderful hospitality.
The event was rounded with a presentation of gift to the Governor by the Federal Minister.
by admin | Feb 18, 2017 | Latest News, Rescue Mission
Taraba State Governor Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku has restated his administration’s desire to provide the State capital and beyond with clean, pure, potable and sustainable water supply.
Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku stated this on Thursday during a town hall interactive meeting on urban water development with a view to reforming, organising and making the Ministry of water resources more vibrant and proactive to meet the increasing needs of water by the people of the State.
He revealed that the State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a siwage corporation in Nairobi Kenya who are in the fore front of efficient, effective and sustainable water management and supply in Africa.
The Governor in a flashback said when he was a consultant, he once contacted the State Government on the need of a sustainable water plan in the State that will stand the test of time, but lamented that his suggestion was overlooked and however expressed happiness with the progress made so far under his leadership as the Governor of the State.
Governor Darius Ishaku further said the fifty persons that will be trained in Kenya will be automatically employed by the State Government and remarked that water supply remains cardinal as he reiterated his resolve to rescue the water sector which will greatly impact on the water management and as well providing it with the desired capacity that will help improve the revenue base of the State.
He stated that his Government is making concerted efforts aimed at privatising the water sector which will be managed and supervised by competent Board of Directors that would be constituted to help strengthen the water sector for effective performance.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Gowon Emmanuel Halan thanked the State Governor for the prompt released of funds to the Ministry which has enabled it to function effectively in meeting the water needs of in the State.
Hon.Gowon Halan maintained water is a very important resource in the life of every living being and boldly commended the visionary leadership quality of Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku which has broken the jinx of water scarcity particularly in Jalingo the State capital.
He stressed that, the working tour to Sewage Corporation in Nairobi Kenya which the Governor was part of it and participated in the technical session and field visits to ensure that no detail was left out, so that, the management of water in the State would be taken to another level.
He reaffirmed that the Ministry of water resources is passing through a better time and maintained that it was made possible through the pragmatic and purposeful Minda’s touch of the Rescue Captain.
The Commissioner revealed that, most of the major towns in the State now have potable water supply including semi urban centers across the State and the purchase of the State of Arts equipment for the Laboratory as well as chemicals for water treatment and described the ongoing Jalingo primary water scheme as the most comprehensive stand-alone project fully financed by the State government to compliment effort of the African Development Bank.
Barr. Gowon Halan described the landmark journey as eventful, tasking and interesting with utmost joy and satisfaction that the taps are now running which involves hard work, meticulous planning which has culminated in the water flowing regularly, thereby, putting smile on the faces of people of the State.
Water Resources Commissioner encouraged the people of the State not to take water for granted, but as a natural gift for us from God through the instrumentality of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku.
Accordingly, Barr. Gowon Halan went rhetorical with the following questions begging for answer, “Why do we always have dry running taps? Why do we have epeliptic water supply? Why do we pay so much to get water? Why do we suffer from water related diseases?
He asked the people to ponder on them with a view to supporting the laudable initiative of the Arc. Governor, with the penchant of providing pure potable drinking water to all and posited that, the water sector has been rescued.
In his contribution, the General Manager Taraba Water Supply Agency, Engr. Buba Musa Siam disclosed that very soon the AFDB water project will be rounding up their work in the State, saying that, already the have started test running of some major taps and the overhead tanks, particularly, that of Roadblock, Mile six while that of Kona, ATC and College of Agriculture will soon be test run.
Engr. Musa Siam explained that when the AFDB have rounded up their project the metering of Houses to ensure that water is been properly billed through litering system will commence throughout the metropolis.
He said the water Agency has entered into an agreement with Nairobi Sewage Corporation in Kenya where about 50 persons will soon be trained in the Modern Water Management using the newly introduced automated billing system and added that very soon the state of Art overhead tank will soon be constructed in Mount Jalingo which will be beautifully designed and will serve as a tourist center.
The Manager of Taraba Water Agency said they are working round the clock to ensure that the keep to the vision of his Excellency.
He however lamented that, the Agency is faced with inadequate staff, stressing that the Agency now relies on the services of manpower staff for it to function, adding that the Agency has less than two hundred staff on her payroll which is grossly inadequate.
He therefore appealed to the State Governor to come to the aid of the water Agency for more staff to be recruited so that the vision of giving uninterrupted water supply to the people of the State will be realised.
The town hall meeting went into an interactive session, as well as questions and answers and the display of latest equipment used in water treatment recently acquired by the Agency.
