By Oluwatosin Alex
The Governor of Taraba state, Dr. Agbu Kefas has surpassed the expectations of several people in just 39 days in office.
Of course, He isn’t a stranger when it comes to Taraba politics. He has held some positions politically and has successfully served Nigeria during his days as a military personnel and therefore, many expected so much from him. Within 39 days, He has not only met the expectations of the people but surpassed them.
In the history of Taraba state, there has been no governor that has performed excellently as Dr. Agbu Kefas has done in barely one month. The once docile Taraba state has come alive due to the enigmatic developments Dr. Agbu Kefas has brought.
It’s surprising how he has been able to adequately work in the sectors that surround his manifesto which are education, economy and job creation, security, peace and unity, women and youth empowerment, and healthcare.
The education sector has experienced massive changes since Dr. Agbu Kefas emerged as the duly elected governor of the state. He immediately declared a state of emergency on the sector which has been greatly impoverished for years. He also imbibed the character of visiting secondary schools unannounced to get a full grasp of the situation. So far, He has visited Comprehensive Secondary Schools in Jalingo, Nyamusalah Primary School, Government Science Secondary School, and Jalingo Science Secondary School. He has ordered immediate renovation in some of these schools with decrepit structures, in fulfillment of his promise to bring about a reform in the sector.
Apart from the secondary schools, Dr. Agbu Kefas made an unscheduled visit to Taraba state university earlier today and announced a 50% decrease in school fees for all students. He also inspected the female hostels and ordered a renovation to create a conducive environment of learning for the people.
Within 39 days, several jobs have been created and the economy of Taraba state has been buzzing. Just yesterday, it was announced that Jalingo airport will commence direct flights to Dubai and Lagos from next week. The airport which was just recently opened will employ thousands of Taraba state indigenes and boost the economy of the state certainly.
Even though some insecurity issues persist, Dr. Agbu Kefas has shown his commitment to ending insecurity in the state with his collaboration with several security agencies. He recently appointed a new chairman of Taraba Marshall and has also been in talks with external security agencies to put an end to the insecurity menace. In a few months, insecurity in Taraba state will come to an end.
Since the creation of Taraba state, the youths and women population haven’t gotten the manner of recognition they have received in the administration of Dr. Agbu Kefas. He started his administration with a summit created for the youths and promised that they will take part in his administration. To fulfill his promise, Dr. Agbu Kefas wrote stakeholders in the state to nominate people for appointments while emphasizing that 80% of the must be from the youths and women population. It has never happened in Taraba state.
Dr. Agbu Kefas’s administration has started working on the health sector in the state. He recently visited a health centre to inspect the quality of medical equipment used for patients there. The state is also working on reducing the death rate during childbirth. These were done within 39 days of Dr. Agbu Kefas’ administration.
After the inauguration, one of his promises was to nominate his commissioners and executive cabinet within his first month in office and as someone who wants to run an all-inclusive government, he ceded the responsibility to stakeholders and party chieftains.
“If I am to single out commissioners across the sixteen local government areas to work with me, I can simply do that now and present to the state house of assembly for screening, but that is what I can’t do alone, I must have to carry the stakeholders and my party PDP along.’’
“I want to run an all-inclusive governance, I will not want to be accused of one-man governance, but my assurance to the people is that we are going to form the state executive cabinet within my one month in office so that we can hit the ground running’’
Some quarters have begun to worry about the delay in the announcement of nominated candidates to fill the executive cabinet positions but it has now been confirmed that within two weeks from now, the names will be sent to the state house of assembly and once they have been successfully screened, the appointments will be done immediately.
Dr. Agbu Kefas deserves accolades for the many steps he has taken in a short period. Within 39 days in office, He has fulfilled his promises.