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Education, News, Taraba

Taraba Shuts Down Boarding System After Student Abductions in Kebbi, Niger

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has ordered every public and private secondary school in the state to “immediately deboard their students” following rising insecurity across the country. The directive was issued in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin. According to her, the growing attacks nationwide have turned boarding students into easy targets, especially after the recent abductions of students in Kebbi and Niger states. Read Also: Katsina and Plateau Govts Order Temporary School Closures Over Insecurity Dr. Godwin said Governor Kefas has now instructed that all secondary schools must operate strictly as day schools until further notice. She added that principals and school owners have been told to remove all boarding arrangements “without delay.” She described the decision as a proactive step to protect children and prevent any threats linked to the ongoing unrest. The government also reassured parents that it remains committed to restoring safety and will continue working closely with security agencies. School authorities were urged to comply fully with the directive and maintain heightened vigilance on their premises.

News, Taraba

Two Feared Dead in Taraba Mosque Leadership Tussle

A leadership dispute over the position of Imam at the Central Mosque in Donga, Taraba State, has reportedly claimed at least two lives and left several others injured. The violent clash, which broke out on Tuesday, also resulted in the destruction of properties within the area, sending residents fleeing for safety. Eyewitnesses said the confrontation erupted after a section of the Muslim community disagreed over who should lead prayers at the mosque located opposite the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Donga Chiefdom. “The argument started during a meeting but later turned violent. Before security operatives arrived, two people had already lost their lives, and many others were wounded,” a resident told Daily Trust on Wednesday. Read Also: Political Realignment: Taraba’s Kefas Eyes APC for Greater Federal Inclusion The crisis threw the town into confusion as rival groups engaged in a free-for-all, forcing businesses and schools in the area to shut down temporarily. It was gathered that soldiers and other security personnel have since been deployed to restore calm and prevent further breakdown of law and order. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Police Command, ASP Leshen James, neither answered calls nor responded to text messages regarding the incident as of the time of filing this report.  

News, Politics, Taraba

Political Realignment: Taraba’s Kefas Eyes APC for Greater Federal Inclusion

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, is reportedly on the verge of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), in what has been described as a strategic political realignment to enhance the state’s inclusion in national development programs. The development was confirmed by the governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters and Special Duties, Josiah Kente, in a statement made available to journalists. According to Kente, Governor Kefas’s planned defection to the ruling APC is not motivated by personal ambition but by the “collective interest of the people of Taraba State.” Read Also: APC Consolidates Strength Across Nigeria Ahead of 2027 Elections “The governor’s decision is driven by the desire to ensure Taraba’s full participation in federal initiatives and access to national development opportunities,” Kente said. He added that Governor Kefas’s impressive record in healthcare, education, and infrastructure development requires greater synergy and federal support for sustainability. Kente further emphasized that the move should not be seen as partisan, but as “a collective aspiration of the people of Taraba for sustainable progress, transformational infrastructure, and active involvement in national affairs.” He explained that joining the APC at the national level would open the door to more development opportunities for the state, including federal projects, enhanced security collaboration, and access to donor-funded programs. The development comes amid reports that several PDP governors are planning to defect to the APC — a move that could significantly weaken the opposition party’s presence, particularly in northern Nigeria. Sources have hinted that governors from Plateau (Caleb Mutfwang), Zamfara (Dauda Lawal), and Adamawa (Ahmadu Fintiri) may also be considering switching allegiance to the ruling party. The PDP, which once governed Nigeria for 16 years after the return of democracy in 1999, currently controls just eight of the 36 states in the federation. Political analysts warn that the increasing wave of defections could push the country closer to becoming a de facto one-party state, as the ruling APC continues to consolidate its dominance across regions.

News, Taraba

Marriage No Obstacle to Women’s Success – Prof. Ummu Jalingo

Professor Ummu Ahmed Jalingo, Northern Nigeria’s first female Professor of Economics, has urged women not to see marriage as a barrier to their ambitions. Speaking in Kano at the Inspiring Leadership Reflection Interactive Series (ILERIS), organised by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Prof. Jalingo shared her personal story of getting married at 16 and rising to become a professor after decades of dedication. Read Also: CITAD Marks Development Data Day, Calls for Inclusive, People-Centered Data Systems in Nigeria “With commitment and determination, women can achieve their goals regardless of marital status,” she said, adding that being organized and prayerful also makes the journey easier. She recalled her father’s role in encouraging her education, noting that while she did not become the medical doctor he once hoped for, she attained an even higher milestone as a professor. Prof. Jalingo, who has taught at Bayero University Kano (BUK) for over 30 years, currently serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

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