In a star- studded ceremony teeming with the high and mighty, the influential and the connected, His Excellency, Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba state bagged the prestigious Daily Asset Award of Governor of the Year in Education and Agriculture which held at the Nicon Luxury Hotels on the 8th, February 2024.
The ceremony which was attended by distinguished personalities and eminent dignitaries from the political, corporate, public service, academic and diplomatic corps included the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima; former Governor of Taraba state, Dr Jolly Nyame; Prof Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State; Rev Father Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State; Chief Mike Osuman, Chairman Arewa Consultative Forum; Mrs Farida Waziri, former EFCC Chairman; Engr Mele Kyari, Group CEO, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd; Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka amongst others.
The Award which was received on behalf of Governor Agbu Kefas by the Honourable Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt Hon John Bonzena lauded the proactive strides of the action governor in the pivotal educational sphere.
The Award citation stated that: ‘ln his bid to bring Taraba State to the frontline of development, Governor Kefas declared a State of Emergency in the education sector. He introduced free education from primary to secondary school, a major step to increase enrollment and reduce child drop out in the Taraba school system.
At the tertiary school level, he reduced by 50 percent the tuition fees at Taraba State University and the other tertiary institutions owned by the state. The Governor has also entered into partnership with a commercial bank to procure buses for transportation to pupils and students to and from school beginning in Jalingo, the state capital.
The Taraba State University has received a major boost as the Governor has cleared arrears of salaries and allowances and increased funding of the university to pave way for accreditation of more courses and provision of infrastructure on the campus to enhance teaching and learning and the welfare of students. These and other major measures have combined to set the state’s education on the path of vibrancy and progress’ – the Daily Asset Award citation averred.
Similar garlands and encomiums have come the way of the dynamic Governor Agbu Kefas at numerous public and private fora most notably from the Executive Chairperson of Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB), Mrs Rabi Sunday at the Awards Ceremony of the President’s lnter-SUBEB (JSS) Schools Debate Championships, Abuja (2nd Nov 2023) in which she dedicated her Award of Most Performing SUBEB Chairperson for the Northeast Zone to Governor Kefas and the Taraba people.
According to the TSUBEB Chair: ‘l wish to appreciate the Executive Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency Dr Agbu Kefas for being instrumental to this award. If he had not given me the opportunity to serve in this capacity l would not be here today. I dedicate this award to the Almighty God and to Governor Agbu Kefas who we all refer to as the people’s governor. Since he assumed office, Governor Kefas has been very passionate about basic education as immediately after inauguration, he declared a state of emergency in the primary and secondary education sector and accordingly vowed that he will turn around the sector in his first 100 days in office.
Governor Kefas also declared free and compulsory primary and secondary education in Taraba while stating that the state government will pay for all fees and levies that were hitherto being paid by the students. He has provided increased funding for the sector, mandated the construction and renovation of primary and secondary schools classroom blocks and the recruitment of more teachers to schools accross the state.
Taraba State has paid its share of the counterpart funding and is thus accessing its share of the UBEC funds.
Governor Agbu Kefas has also boosted the welfare and training of teachers so as to increase their capacity, morale and productivity.
In order to attract more teachers to primary and secondary schools, the people’s governor has mandated the payment of an extra N10,000 naira monthly allowance to NYSC corpers who serve in schools across the state. Governor Kefas has also sponsored education stakeholders to Rwanda and Finland including some of our head teachers and that is to tell you that in a few years time, we will overtake many states in the federation including Kwara State that won this years debating champion’ – an appreciative Mrs Rabi Sunday added. With the gale of awards,honours, garlands and recognitions coming the way of Governor Agbu Kefas in the education, agriculture, health, infrastructural development, security and socio-economic spheres, there is no doubt that more goodies are in store for the amiable and hardworking people of Taraba State as their action-oriented governor continues doing what he knows best; the constant, steadfast and consistent delivery of crucial dividends of democracy to his beloved people.
