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FAITH: BSN Honours Fr. Sunday Patrick Muke for Driving Gospel Outreach and Church Growth in Taraba.

By Jako Keke, February 14,2026. The Special Adviser on Christian Religious Matters, Sunday Patrick Muke, has been honoured for his contributions to Christian evangelism and scripture outreach by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Taraba State Chapter. The recognition was conferred during the Society’s 60th anniversary celebration and fundraising event held in Jalingo, an occasion that drew church leaders, government representatives, and members of various Christian organisations from across Taraba State. Presenting the award, the BSN Taraba State Chairman, Filister Irarimam Musa, commended the cleric for what he described as consistent and selfless support toward the Society’s mission of translating, publishing, and distributing the Bible. He noted that the Special Adviser has remained a dependable partner in promoting church growth and spiritual development across denominations in the state. Dr. Musa said the honour was in recognition of Father Muke’s encourag...

RELIGION:Bible Society of Nigeria Marks 60 Years, Rallies Christians, Government Support for Bible Distribution.

The (BSN) has marked its 60th anniversary with a call for stronger support toward Bible translation and distribution efforts across the country. The anniversary celebration, held at the Bible House, Roadblock in Jalingo, drew government officials, religious leaders, and members of the Christian community, all of whom emphasized the need to intensify the propagation of the Gospel through coordinated support for BSN projects. Representing Taraba State Governor, , the Special Adviser on Christian Religious Matters, Very Reverend Father Sunday Patrick Muke, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with faith-based organizations. He commended the Taraba State chapter of BSN for sustaining its mission over six decades and urged churches to rally behind the society’s ongoing Bible distribution initiatives. Chairman of the occasion, Chief David Sabo Kente, who was represented by Mary Usman, praised BSN’s consistency and dedication in making the Bib...

Fire Crisis: Agbu Kefas Moves Fast, Sets Up High-Powered Probe Panel in Taraba.

By Jako Keke, February 13,2026. The Taraba State Government has constituted a high-level investigative committee to probe the recent surge in fire outbreaks in Jalingo and surrounding communities, with a mandate to recommend lasting safety and emergency response measures. According to an official press release issued by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the move was approved by Governor Agbu Kefas as part of efforts to strengthen public safety, accountability, and protection of lives and property across the state. The statement explained that the committee will thoroughly investigate both the immediate and underlying causes of the repeated fire incidents and evaluate the level of preparedness, coordination, and response of relevant agencies. The committee is also expected to identify operational challenges encountered during firefighting and emergency interventions and propose practical and sustainable measures to prevent future occurrences. It will furth...

COMMISSION:Mary Gaisa Appreciates Taraba Governor Over Disability Commission Appointment.

By Jako Keke, February 13, 2026. The Chairperson of the , Taraba State Chapter, Hon. Mary Gaisa, has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Governor of , , following her appointment as a member of the . In a statement released on Friday, Gaisa thanked the governor for finding her worthy to serve on the Commission and represent the Southern Senatorial Zone, describing the appointment as both an honour and a call to greater responsibility toward persons living with disabilities across the state. She noted that the new role presents an opportunity to strengthen advocacy and institutional support for people with disabilities, adding that she is committed to working with other members of the Commission to promote inclusive policies and practical programmes that will improve their welfare and social participation. Gaisa pledged to discharge her duties with diligence, transparency, and dedication, stressing that disability issues require collaborative action and sustained pol...

APPOINTMENT: Kefas Constitutes Taraba Disability Commission, Appoints Matudi Ali as Chairman.

By Jako Keke, February 12, 2026. Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has approved the appointment of members of the Taraba State Persons with Disability Commission, in a move aimed at strengthening inclusion and institutional support for persons living with disabilities across the state. The approval was conveyed in an official press release dated February 12, 2026, and issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the State, Chief Barrister Gebon Timothy Kataps. According to the statement, Comrade Matudi Ali, who is visually impaired, has been appointed as Chairman of the Commission. Other appointed members include Adama Idris Hamza, Inu Gayus, Matthew Danladi, and Ibrahim Haruna. To ensure balanced representation, the commission also draws members from the three senatorial zones of the state. Mary Gaissa will represent Taraba South, Hadiza Idris will represent Taraba North, while Abubakar Atiku will serve as the representative of Taraba Central. The rel...

COURTESY: Northeast Women in Politics Frontier Backs Taraba ALGON Chair, Demands Greater Female Inclusion in Governance.

By Jako Keke, February 12, 2026. The Taraba State Chapter of the Northeast Women in Politics Frontier has paid a solidarity visit to the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Hon. Moses Maihankali, pledging support for grassroots governance while pressing for stronger inclusion of women in political leadership. The delegation, led by the State Chairperson of the group, Queen Moanya, visited the Chairman after his emergence as leader of the association. Maihankali also serves as Chairman of Kurmi Local Government Council. Speaking during the visit, Queen Moanya said the group deemed it necessary to identify with the ALGON Chairman following what she described as a “well-deserved election,” noting that his emergence reflects growing confidence in his leadership capacity among local government stakeholders. She said the visit was both congratulatory and strategic, aimed at strengthening collaboration between women’s political adv...

SPECIAL REPORT: Calls for Transparency as Taraba Governor’s ₦100 Million LGA Intervention Draws Praise, Doubts.

By Charles Damain Tingah, February 11,2026. The recent donation of ₦100 million to Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Taraba State by Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas has sparked widespread debate across the state, drawing both commendation and caution from citizens, stakeholders, and community groups. Announced as part of efforts to stimulate grassroots development and address long-standing infrastructure challenges, the intervention fund is being described by supporters as timely and potentially transformative. However, critics and concerned observers warn that without strict accountability and monitoring, the funds risk being mismanaged — a pattern they say has undermined similar interventions in the past. Across several LGAs, reactions have remained mixed but intense, reflecting both hope and skepticism about the initiative’s eventual impact. Many residents and civil society voices praised the governor’s move, calling it a bold step toward revitalizing neglected rural communit...

From Yola to Global Laboratories: The Academic Journey of Professor Benjamin Kefas, FUW’s New Vice Chancellor.

By Jako Keke, February 11,2026. When the Federal University Wukari (FUW) announced Professor Benjamin Kefas as its new Vice Chancellor, the decision was widely seen as more than a routine administrative appointment. It marked the rise of a scholar whose academic and research journey spans continents, disciplines, and some of the world’s most respected institutions in medicine and pharmaceutical sciences. A closer look at Professor Kefas’ academic progression reveals a career built on intellectual discipline, global exposure, and deep scientific specialization — qualities many believe will shape the future direction of the university. Born on June 12, 1970, Professor Kefas’ early academic promise was evident from the start. He completed his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certification in 1989 and proceeded immediately to the College of Preliminary Studies (CPS), Yola, the same year. That foundational period prepared him for entry into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU),...