Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo
 Governor Kefas Agbu has sworn-in 21 Commissioners earlier confirmed by the Taraba State House of Assembly. In line with the aspiration to meet 30 percent Affirmative Action, the list is made up of six females and 15 males, the first in the history of the state.
The swearing-in was performed by the State Chief Judge, Justice Joel Filibus Agya at the Gym Hall, Jolly Nyameh Stadium Jalingo.
The Commissioners, Local governments and their portfolios are: Engr Naomi Tanko Agbu (Wukari), Ministry of Energy and Economics; Dr.Sarah Enoch Adi (Wukari), Finance, Budget and Economic Planning; Yakubu Maikasuwa SAN (Wukari), Justice; Dr. Augustina Godwin (Jalingo), Education; Mrs. Zainab Usman (Jalingo), Information and Re-orientation; Prof Nicholas Oliver Namessan (Karim Lamido), Agriculture and Food Security; Mrs. Mary Sinjen (Karim Lamido), Women Affairs and Child Development; Mr. Peter George (Sardauna),Commerce and Industries; Mr. Gideon Nonso (Sardauna), Digital Economy and Innovation; Mr. Joseph Joshua (Takum), Youths and Sports Development and Yakubu S Yakubu (Takum) Transport Development.
Others are Mrs. Aishat Abdul’aziz Barde (Zing), Environment and Climate Change; Hon. Titus Joseph Dagombe (Gashaka), Heritage and Eco-Tourism; Dr. Bodiya Bansheya (Donga), Health; Mr. Habu James Philips (Bali), Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation;
Julius Peter Lau (Lau), Rural Development; Mr. Usman Muslimu Abdullahi (Gassol), Science and Technology; Hon. Saviour Bazolig Noku (Ardo-Kola), Special Duties and Social Development; Philister Ibrahim Musa (Ussa), Social Justice and Re’orientation; Daniel Ishaya (Ibi), Water Management and Aquatic Affairs and Comrade Noseh Luka (Kurmi), Works and Infrastructure Development.
Speaking at the occasion, Gov Agbu Kefas Congratulated the new Commissioners, urging them to collaborate with one another to provide a vibrant administration.
Gov Kefas maintained that their appointments were not merely symbolic but a call to duty, entrusted with the responsibility of uplifting the standard of living of the people, noting that their success lies in the ability of their collective leadership and mutual respect.
The Governor said there is no doubt that they will face daunting challenges but believed with good mindset they will succeed.
Agbu said he believe in an all inclusive leadership and that’s why he appointed qualified and accomplished youths and women in their chosen fields, expressing optimism that they will deliver and bring development for the progress of Taraba State.
The Governor commended stakeholders of the various Local Governments in the State for good selection of the Commissioners and the Taraba State House of Assembly for their prompt screening and confirmation, saying the swearing-in of the Commissioners was the right step towards building a prosperous Taraba State.
Recalled that the Taraba State House of Assembly had screened the 21 commissioner nominees sent to it by the Governor comprising of 6 females, the highest in the history of the state.
The Chairman, House Committee on Information Honourable Nelson Len who addressed the Press after the session said that all the nominees sent to the House by the State Gov Agbu were screened and cleared.
“The House is impressed with the calibre of nominees who have shown that they are suitable for the various offices they are designated. This is the first time Nominees are sent to the House with their portfolio attached to direct the screening process.
“Of course, we took our time on each nominee and end up spending two days for the exercise.
“This is to ensure that we don’t make mistakes. Taraba is at a critical stage where we really need total rebirth. Consequently, we have to ensure that the right persons are put in the right places.
During the screening, some of the nominees bare their minds on what they intends to do:
Professor Nicholas Namessan said: “I will ensure that Taraba College of Agriculture brings back all the activities that boosted its Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, in the past. I will ensure that students are taught on how to farm for profit-making and be self reliance. I will ensure that Tractors acquired by government are properly put to good use and well maintained. I will come up with a programme tagged: “Women and Youths in Agriculture.”
Dr. Augustina Godwin said:
“I see this as an opportunity to render my service to the state and the nation. The problem at the Taraba State University is lack of leadership, I will set up a committee with terms of reference to look into the problem. Teachers are critical in the society, I am to make the Educational system functional. Our Teachers have to know that they are important. I will ensure that there is massive renumeration for Teachers. I am happy that Gov Kefas Agbu declared state of emergency in the Educational sector and also promise to renovate schools in the state. If we improve renumeration for teachers, there will be no need for the people to take their children out of government schools to private. There is Educational Standard set, but implementation is the problem, so we will ensure that they are implemented. On strikes, good staff renumeration will take care of incessant strikes.
Naomi Tanko Agbo said:
“A state like Taraba can easily make use of small Dams to generate electricity for its population. Mambilla Hydro Power Dam worth $3 Billion is enormous, we can start in phases by partnering with developers and if completed, it will be the 2nd largest in Africa, after Ethiopia.
“Power is expensive and not cheap. In Nigeria, electricity is used for consumption such as TV amongst others, but in Developed countries, power is use for production. We should move from consumption to production use of electricity.