NALGON EMERITUS APPOINTS TARABA SGS, CHIEF BARR. GEBON KATAPS, AS BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN

By Nformi Desmond 

The Secretary to the Government of Taraba State, Chief Barr. Gebon Timothy Kataps, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Association of Former Local Government Council Chairmen in Nigeria (NALGON Emeritus), Taraba State Chapter.

The appointment was announced during a ceremony held at the Conference Hall of the Office of the Secretary to the Government in Jalingo, where the leadership of the association formally presented him with his letter of appointment.

Speaking during the presentation, the National President of NALGON Emeritus said the appointment was in recognition of Chief Kataps' outstanding record in public service and his contributions to grassroots governance over the years.

He recalled that Chief Kataps served as an elected Local Government Council Chairman from 1997 to 2003. During that period, he also chaired the Taraba State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) before rising to become the association's National Vice Chairman.

According to the National President, the association is confident that Chief Kataps' wealth of experience will provide the leadership needed to strengthen the Board of Trustees and advance the ideals of NALGON Emeritus.

In his response, Chief Kataps thanked the leadership of the association for the confidence reposed in him, describing the appointment as both an honour and a call to greater service.

He pledged to work closely with members of the Board of Trustees to promote unity within the association, safeguard the interests of former local government council chairmen and uphold the principles on which the body was founded.

Other members of the Board of Trustees were also inaugurated during the ceremony, marking the beginning of a new leadership phase for the association in Taraba State.

@Henreee Mil

Governor Agbu Kefas Attends Wedding Fatiha of Former Deputy Governor's Children

By Nformi Desmond

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, on Friday attended the Wedding Fatiha of two children of former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Armayau Dauda Abubakar, at the MCAN Mosque in Jalingo.

The ceremony solemnised the marriages of Dr. Abubakar Armayau Abubakar and Hafsat Sani Rabiu, as well as Engr. Faisal Bala Nuhu and Aisha Armayau Abubakar, in accordance with Islamic marriage rites.

Officiating at the ceremony, the Chief Imam of the MCAN Mosque, Khadi Badamasi Aliyu, announced the prescribed dowries for both marriages and offered prayers for the couples, asking Allah to bless their unions with peace, love and prosperity.

In his sermon, the Chief Imam urged the grooms to uphold the values of love, responsibility and compassion by caring for their wives, providing for their families and building homes founded on mutual respect, understanding and the fear of Allah.

Governor Kefas, accompanied by senior government officials and other dignitaries, joined the families in celebrating the occasion and congratulated the newlyweds.

The Wedding Fatiha attracted political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, associates and well-wishers, who offered prayers for enduring peace, unity and prosperity in the new homes.

Source: Barr. Zainab Jalingo, Head of Corporate Communications, Ministry of Information and Reorientation, Taraba State.

NESREA Seeks Partnership with Taraba ACReSAL to Strengthen Environmental Protection

By Nformi Desmond

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sought a strategic partnership with the Taraba State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project to strengthen environmental protection and promote sustainable development across the state.

The proposal was made during a courtesy visit by the agency to the ACReSAL State Project Management Unit in Jalingo.

Speaking during the meeting, the Taraba State Coordinator of NESREA, Mr. Oteikwu John, said the agency, established by an Act of the National Assembly in 2007, is responsible for enforcing environmental laws, standards and regulations, while implementing international environmental conventions ratified by Nigeria.

He noted that the visit was aimed at fostering institutional collaboration, information sharing and joint initiatives that would complement ACReSAL's interventions in environmental management.

Responding, the Taraba ACReSAL State Project Coordinator, Dr. Yakubu Giwa Clement, welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the project's commitment to working closely with NESREA.

He explained that ACReSAL is a multi-sectoral intervention covering the environment, agriculture and water resources, with a focus on environmental restoration, watershed management, climate resilience, capacity building and emergency response.

Dr. Clement disclosed that the project has completed interventions in three micro-catchments and is expanding to ten additional sites across the state to address environmental degradation and strengthen ecosystem resilience.

Heads of the Legal, Environmental Safeguards, and Monitoring and Evaluation units of ACReSAL also endorsed the proposed partnership, stressing the need for coordinated environmental governance, effective community engagement through the project's Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), and stronger institutional collaboration.

The meeting ended with both organisations reaffirming their commitment to working together to advance environmental protection, climate resilience and sustainable development in Taraba State.

PEACE BUREAU TAKES SENSITIZATION CAMPAIGN TO BALI, URGES COMMUNITIES TO REJECT VIOLENCE

The Taraba State Bureau for Peace and Conflict Management has intensified its statewide peace campaign with a sensitization programme in Bali Local Government Area, urging residents to shun violence and embrace dialogue as the foundation for lasting peace and development.

The campaign brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, farmers, herders, youth groups, and other stakeholders to discuss practical measures for strengthening peaceful coexistence and preventing conflicts in the area.

Addressing participants, the Chairman of the Bureau for Peace and Conflict Management, Bishop Innocent Rubiruka Solomon, condemned recurring violence and called on communities to put an end to killings and all forms of hostility.

"It is enough. Killings, violence and acrimony among communities must end," Bishop Solomon said, stressing that peace remains essential for sustainable development and economic growth.

He urged farmers and herders to promote mutual understanding, tolerance and cooperation, noting that harmonious relationships between both groups would enhance agricultural productivity and contribute to the progress of Taraba State and Nigeria.

Bishop Solomon also commended the Executive Chairman of Bali Local Government Area, Hon. Habila Balasa, for his commitment to promoting peace and strengthening security in the council. He described the council chairman as a proactive leader whose efforts have continued to support stability and peaceful coexistence across the local government.

The Bureau reiterated its commitment to expanding its peace sensitization and conflict prevention campaigns across Taraba State, encouraging residents to resolve disputes through dialogue and other peaceful means rather than violence.

"This Is Only the Beginning" — SGS Kataps as Dr. Agbu Kefas Northeast Tennis Championship Uncovers New Tennis Talents

By Nformi Desmond

The Secretary to the Government of Taraba State, High Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps Ngwii, says the maiden Dr. Agbu Kefas Northeast Tennis Championship marks the beginning of a sustained effort to discover and develop young tennis talents across the Northeast.

Speaking at the grand finale of the championship held on Thursday at the Tennis Court of the Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo, Kataps said the region is blessed with abundant sporting talents that require sustained support, exposure and investment to compete at higher levels.

He commended the Local Organising Committee for the successful organisation of the tournament and called on governments, corporate organisations and sports stakeholders to invest more in grassroots sports development.

According to him, the championship is designed to provide young athletes with opportunities to sharpen their skills, gain competitive experience and prepare for national and international competitions.

Kataps dedicated the tournament to the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, in recognition of the administration's commitment to youth development and sports.

Representing the Vice President of the Nigerian Tennis Federation, Alhaji Yusuf Dati commended Governor Kefas for creating a peaceful environment that enables young people to develop their talents. He described the championship as a strategic investment capable of producing future national and international tennis stars.

Representing Governor Kefas, Rt. Hon. Kizito J. Bonzena applauded the SGS for initiating the championship and urged public and private stakeholders to support programmes that positively engage young people through sports.

The championship featured Under-12, Under-14 and Under-17 events, attracting young players from Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe States. Beyond the competition, the tournament promoted unity, friendship and healthy rivalry among participants from across the region.

The grand finale attracted members of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, officials of the Nigerian Tennis Federation, sports administrators, political stakeholders, media practitioners and tennis enthusiasts.

The National Sports Commission Northeast also honoured Governor Agbu Kefas, High Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps Ngwii and other distinguished personalities for their contributions to sports development.

Among the champions were Divine Denis of Adamawa (Under-17 Boys), Yaman Philip Noku of Adamawa (Under-17 Girls), James A. Noku of Taraba (Under-14 Boys), Josephine Musa of Taraba (Under-14 Girls) and Rahila James of Taraba (Under-12 Girls).

The successful maiden edition has raised expectations that the championship will become an annual platform for discovering, nurturing and producing the next generation of tennis talents from the Northeast for Nigeria and beyond.