TARABA CHARTS NEW FISCAL COURSE AS TIRS BEGINS QUARTERLY REVENUE REVIEW OF MDAs

By Apex Media Network 

The Taraba Internal Revenue Service, TIRS, has commenced a quarterly review of revenue performance by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, as part of efforts to improve internally generated revenue and strengthen accountability in the state.

The maiden review was held on Wednesday at the Dr. Agbu Kefas Conference Hall, TIRS Headquarters, Jalingo, with heads of MDAs, government officials and other stakeholders in attendance.

Declaring the exercise open, the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Sarah Enoch Adi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Douglas Kasaba, commended TIRS for introducing the review.

She said every MDA has a responsibility to contribute to the state’s revenue drive, adding that improved revenue collection will enable government to provide more infrastructure and essential services.

The Commissioner also stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the collection and management of public revenue.

In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of TIRS, Brigadier General Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa, retired, said cooperation among government agencies would be critical to achieving the state’s revenue targets.

The review featured presentations on the revenue performance of participating MDAs during the first and second quarters of 2026.

Heads of the various MDAs presented their revenue figures, explained challenges affecting collection and responded to questions on their performance.

Discussions at the meeting focused on revenue collection, reporting, monitoring and ways of improving the remittance of funds due to government.

TIRS also restated its commitment to reducing revenue leakages through digital payment platforms, modern collection systems and improved data management.

The quarterly review is expected to provide government with regular information on the performance of its revenue-generating institutions and help identify areas requiring intervention.

It is also aimed at strengthening coordination between TIRS and MDAs as the state works to improve its revenue base and reduce reliance on federal allocations.

The exercise marks the beginning of a quarterly assessment of MDA revenue performance in Taraba State, with subsequent reviews expected to track progress and address emerging challenges.

International Youth Day: Taraba Youth Agency Chairman Urges Young People to Seize Opportunities

By Nformi Desmond

The Executive Chairman of the Taraba State Youth Development Agency, Hon. Prince Gara Soyongha Nongha, has called on young people across the state to take advantage of available opportunities and play an active role in building the future of Taraba.

Speaking on Morning Breeze on Kwararafa Television to mark International Youth Day 2026, themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” Nongha described the celebration as an opportunity to recognise the achievements and potential of young people while reflecting on the challenges that still require attention.

He noted that despite coming from different backgrounds and circumstances, young people share common aspirations for success, meaningful opportunities and a better future.

Nongha highlighted the efforts of the Taraba State Youth Development Agency in connecting young people with opportunities in skills development, apprenticeship, entrepreneurship and talent development.

He also disclosed that the Agency is undertaking a ward-by-ward youth data-capturing exercise across the state to ensure that eligible young people, including those with limited access to smartphones and the internet, are not left behind.

According to him, the database will help the government better identify young people and connect them with relevant empowerment and development opportunities.

The Chairman commended Governor Agbu Kefas for what he described as his commitment to youth development in Taraba State, particularly the inclusion of young people in government and the establishment of the Youth Development Agency.

He urged youths already serving in government and other positions of responsibility to justify the confidence placed in them through hard work, integrity, discipline and responsible leadership.

Nongha also encouraged young people to embrace entrepreneurship, skills development and innovation rather than relying solely on white-collar employment.

He called on youths to support one another, use their voices responsibly and contribute positively to the development of their communities and the state.

WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2026: Taraba Renews Commitment to Exclusive Breastfeeding

By Nformi Desmond

The Taraba State Government has renewed its commitment to improving maternal and child health with the official flag-off of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week campaign in Jalingo.

The event, held in the Turaki community of Jalingo Local Government Area, brought together government officials, development partners, healthcare workers, traditional and religious leaders, and women groups to promote exclusive breastfeeding as a vital step towards raising healthier children and reducing infant mortality.

The celebration, observed under the theme "Breastfeeding: A Sustainable Start in Life," focused on increasing awareness of the life-saving benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and strengthening support for mothers to give every child the best possible start in life.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA), Dr. Tukura Nuhu Nyigwa, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Urbanus Ezekiel, described breastfeeding as one of the most effective and affordable interventions for improving child survival and development.

He said the state government would continue to strengthen policies and programmes that encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies during the first six months of life, in line with national and global recommendations.

Chairman of the Taraba State Committee on Food and Nutrition, Mr. Danjuma Saigudu, said the committee would sustain collaboration with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, alongside development partners, to improve food and nutrition across the state.

He noted that the committee serves as a multi-sectoral platform committed to implementing nutrition interventions that will improve the health and well-being of women and children in Taraba State.

Representing the World Health Organization, Mr. Martins Jirgi said breastfeeding remains the first and most important gift a mother can give her child.

He explained that the first breast milk, known as colostrum, provides newborns with antibodies that strengthen their immune system, protect them against childhood infections and supply the essential nutrients needed for healthy growth and development.

The Taraba State representative of UNICEF, Mr. Jubril Adamu, commended the state government, frontline health workers and development partners for their commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare.

He reaffirmed UNICEF's continued support for breastfeeding promotion and routine immunisation programmes while urging stakeholders to work together to ensure that every child benefits from quality nutrition and life-saving health services.

Also speaking, the representative of Helen Keller International, Mr. Sambo Yakubu, stressed the need for sustained community awareness on infant and young child feeding practices, noting that proper nutrition during the early stages of life remains critical to a child's physical and mental development.

Flagging off the celebration, the Director of Jalingo Local Government Primary Health Care, Mrs. Mairo Solomon, described breastfeeding as a child's first immunisation.

She explained that colostrum provides newborns with natural antibodies that protect them against diseases while supplying the nutrients required for healthy growth and development. Mrs. Solomon urged mothers to adhere to the recommended six months of exclusive breastfeeding, describing the practice as an investment in the future of every child.

She commended the Taraba State Government, development partners and healthcare workers for their continued commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare before officially declaring the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week celebration open.

Some nursing mothers and community members who participated in the sensitisation expressed appreciation to the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency and its development partners for bringing the awareness campaign to their community.

They described the programme as enlightening and impactful, saying it had improved their understanding of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, proper infant nutrition and routine immunisation. The beneficiaries also pledged to strictly adhere to the health guidelines shared during the sensitisation and promised to encourage other mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for the healthy growth and development of their children.

The week-long campaign will feature community sensitisation, advocacy visits and health education activities aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding, improving child nutrition and giving every child in Taraba State a healthier start in life.

WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2026: Taraba PHCDA, UNICEF, Partners Kick Off Week-Long Activities in Jalingo

Activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week have commenced in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, with the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA) leading the campaign in collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners.

The week-long celebration is being observed under the global theme: "Breastfeeding: For a Sustainable Start in Life – Strengthen What Works."

The programme has brought together government health officials, development partners, healthcare professionals, nursing mothers, community leaders, and other key stakeholders to promote the importance of exclusive breastfeeding as a vital strategy for improving maternal and child health, reducing infant mortality, and ensuring every child has a healthy start in life.

Throughout the week, participants will engage in health education sessions, community sensitisation activities, counselling for mothers, and advocacy aimed at increasing awareness of the life-saving benefits of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a child's life.

The activities are taking place at Turaki A Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC), located off PDP Roundabout, on the right-hand side towards Palace Roundabout, Jalingo.

World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually from 1–7 August to encourage breastfeeding as a cornerstone of sustainable development and to strengthen support systems that enable mothers to successfully breastfeed their children.

TARABA POLICE COMMEMORATES WORLD HEPATITIS DAY WITH FREE HEALTH SCREENING

The Taraba State Police Command has marked the 2026 World Hepatitis Day with a free hepatitis screening, testing, and counselling exercise for officers and personnel at the Command Headquarters in Jalingo.

The health outreach, organised by the Police Clinic, Jalingo, was aimed at raising awareness about hepatitis prevention, encouraging early detection, and improving access to medical care. The programme featured health education, free testing, and counselling services for members of the Command.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Moorkwap Sebastian Dongshal, participated in the exercise alongside officers and men of the Command, underscoring the importance of routine medical checks and healthy living among security personnel.

Speaking on the initiative, the Officer-in-Charge of the Police Clinic, CSP John Shehu, said the exercise was designed to promote preventive healthcare and encourage officers to know their hepatitis status through regular screening.

The Taraba State Police Command commended the medical personnel of the Police Clinic for organising the programme and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of its officers and staff.

The statement was contained in a press release issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.