Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Governor Agbu Kefas has opened up about the challenges and realities of leadership since assuming office.
He disclose this while speaking at the interactive session with journalists at the Exco Chambers in Jalingo.
“I didn’t believe some of the things I’m seeing now as a governor. I’ve a choice to do only one term, or the people may decide if I’ll do one term or two terms,” he said.
He emphasized that his focus is not on tenure but on legacy.
“I want to build a Taraba that, when I’m no longer the governor, people will say Kefas has done his best. I don’t want to leave this state so that the people will start saying Kefas is better than this government, just like people are saying I’m worse than Darius.”
Gov. Kefas stressed that his administration’s priority is to deliver sustainable progress, not political comparisons.
“What gives me peace is knowing that the people who speak badly of me were never, and are not, the best example of anything.
“After this local government election, the next one , I’ll not stand behind anybody. Go to your people and convince them to vote for you.
“Resources is a major issue, I don’t want to start projects and abandon it, and tomorrow they will say I ran away with the money.
He announced the commencement of a statewide listening tour to engage directly with communities and identify their development priorities ahead of massive infrastructural projects set to begin in October.
According to him, the initiative is rooted in his belief that genuine development must reflect the needs and aspirations of the people rather than top-down decisions.
“I am visiting the masters that I am here to serve and listen to. By October, we will embark on full-scale infrastructural development across the state, but the people need to tell us what their priorities are. That is the only way to deliver projects that are genuine and meet the needs of communities.
The governor noted that he inherited a state without a master plan, stressing that “Genuine development cannot take place without a roadmap or plan of action.”
On security, he pointed out that his administration has been investing heavily to keep Taraba safe for residents and attract investors.
“Security is a non-negotiable foundation for sustainable development.
The governor also highlighted reforms in the health sector, including the revival of primary healthcare centres across the state.
He revealed that new medical equipment and drugs have been procured, while a CT scan machine is expected soon for installation at the State Specialist Hospital, Jalingo.
In addition, Kefas said that the present administration under his leadership has been committed to completing abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration.
According to him, significant progress has been recorded at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, the Abattoir, and the Palliative Market, among others.
He disclose that the listening tour would provide a platform for residents to guide government decisions on infrastructure, ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in governance.
Taraba State, located in Nigeria’s North-East, faces developmental challenges ranging from inadequate infrastructure to poor road connectivity, underfunded healthcare, and limited industrial activity. Despite its vast agricultural and mineral resources, the state has struggled to attract major investments, partly due to insecurity and lack of coordinated development planning.
Kefas has sought to change this narrative by focusing on security, healthcare reforms, and infrastructural development. His decision to embark on a statewide listening tour reflects efforts to build trust and involve citizens directly in decision-making.
The governor’s pledge to complete abandoned projects inherited from past administrations is also seen as an attempt to address long-standing public frustration over wasteful spending and stalled initiatives.
With his planned infrastructural drive slated to begin in October, the listening tour is expected to shape a new development roadmap that aligns with the needs of Taraba residents.
In a striking demonstration of responsive leadership, Governor Kefas shown that governance is about action and presence, not just rhetoric.
The Governor, recounting his recent experience, said he was on his usual morning drive when he tuned in to a radio program. Citizens were lamenting the lack of drugs at the Taraba State Specialist Hospital. Rather than dismissing it as mere talk, Kefas immediately turned his vehicle toward the hospital.
On arrival, both staff and patients were taken aback at his unexpected presence. Heading straight to the pharmacy department, the governor requested access to the store. Officials initially claimed that the person with the key was unavailable, but the governor insisted and patiently waited.
When the store was finally opened, his fears were confirmed: the shelves were empty. Without delay, Governor Kefas released funds for the immediate purchase of drugs, directing that they be distributed to patients free of charge.
In addition, he revealed that a CT scan machine has already been ordered for the hospital and is expected to arrive soon, marking a significant step in upgrading the facility’s diagnostic capacity.
This bold intervention highlights Kefas’ hands-on approach to governance, where citizens’ voices directly influence immediate government action.
“If I asked people to go and survey and give me estimates of roads within Jalingo, they come back and tell me roads in Jalingo will cost over N100 billion, road from Jalingo to Wukari they said over N200 billion and so on. Where will I get the money from? How much is coming to the state, and how much are we using to pay salaries? But we’ll look into some of these things.
“I didn’t believe some of the things I’m seeing now as a governor. I’ve a choice to do only one term, or the people may decide if I’ll do one term or two terms,” he said.
The Governor emphasized that his focus is not on tenure but on legacy.
“I want to build a Taraba that, when I’m no longer the governor, people will say Kefas has done his best. I don’t want to leave this state so that the people will start saying Kefas is better than this government, just like people are saying I’m worse than Darius.”
Gov. Kefas stressed that his administration’s priority is to deliver sustainable progress, not political comparisons.
“What gives me peace is knowing that the people who speak badly of me were never, and are not, the best example of anything.
“After this local government election, the next one , I’ll not stand behind anybody. Go to your people and convince them to vote for you.
“Resources is a major issue, I don’t want to start projects and abandon it, and tomorrow they will say I ran away with the money – he added.