STAF 2025 Summit Targets Insecurity, Poverty, Education Gaps in Southern Taraba.

By Jako, December 18, 2025.

The Southern Taraba Academics’ Forum (STAF) has announced plans to hold its 2025 Annual Summit with a focus on promoting sustainable development and empowerment in Southern Taraba.

The summit, themed “Sustainable Development and Empowerment in Southern Taraba: Addressing Insecurity, Poverty and Educational Challenges,” is scheduled for Monday, 29th December, 2025, by 10:00am at the 1,000-Capacity Auditorium, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State.

According to the organisers, the summit is designed to bring together academics, policymakers, traditional rulers and key stakeholders to deliberate on practical solutions to insecurity, poverty and educational challenges confronting Southern Taraba and the state at large.

The Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Prof. Sunday Paul Bako, will serve as the Chief Host, while the Vice-Chancellor of Kwararafa University, Wukari, Prof. Shishi Zhema, is the Principal Host.

Expected guest speakers at the summit include Prof. Solomon A.O. Iyekepolo, Director, Institute of Distance Education and Lifelong Learning, Taraba State University; Prof. Benjamin Kefas of the University of Virginia, United States of America; and Prof. Bala A. Musa (PhD) of Azusa Pacific University, USA.

The Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, will attend the event as Special Guest of Honour.

Several eminent personalities and traditional rulers will be honoured as special awardees, including His Royal Majesty, Dr. Manu Ishaku Adda Ali Matakhitswen, Aku Uka, Chairman Taraba State Council of Traditional Rulers; His Royal Majesty, Amb. Sanvalu Varzoa Shimbura, Gara Donga; and His Royal Majesty, Barrister Sofiya Amadu Boshi III, Chief of Takum.

Other dignitaries expected at the summit include the National President of STAF, Dr. Rimamde Ubandoma. Joel (Host); Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Wukari, Professor Jude Samani Rabo; Majority Leader of the Taraba State House of Assembly and Member representing Wukari I, Hon. Jethro Yakubu Zikengyu; and Hon. Josiah Yaro Angye, Member representing Wukari II Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Education.

The Chairman of the occasion is His Excellency, Ambassador Idris Waziri, Chairman of the Governing Council, Taraba State University, Jalingo.

Organisers say the summit will serve as a strategic platform for intellectual engagement, policy dialogue and collective action aimed at fostering peace, educational advancement and socio-economic development in Southern Taraba.

Comments

INSECURITY: Two suspected kidnappers nabbed in Mayo Dassa, Jalingo.

Troops of six Brigade Nigerian Army headquarters ,Jalingo have dismantled a notorious kidnapping syndicate terrorizing parts of Jalingo and Lau Local Government Areas of Taraba State. A statement by Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations Six Brigade Nigeria Army headquarters, Jalingo, Captain Olubodunde Oni says the Brigade act on an intelligence report and two suspects, identified as Ali Idi and Haruna Umar were apprehended early this week. The statement adds that the culprits were captured during a raid at a local hotel in Mayo Dassa area of Jalingo metropolis where they were hiding. It adds that Further investigations led to the discovery that the gang's hideout was at Kona Mountain in Jalingo , where additional members of the syndicate were believed to be camped. The statement says the leader of the gang Dahiru Idi was also apprehended following an operation at kona Mountain the following day. It states that the gang leader confessed to the recent kidn...

TARABA: Jenjo Youth Wing Disowns Magaji Gago’s Alleged Remarks Against Kefas, Reaffirms Loyalty.

By Jako Keke, March 04, 2026. The leadership of the Jenjo Youth Wing has publicly distanced itself from alleged remarks credited to Mr. Magaji Bulus Gago, popularly known as Max B, against Taraba State Governor, , and the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, . The Secretary General, Mr. Babangida Danbauchi, made this known during a press briefing today in Jalingo. He said the youth body debunked what it described as “misleading insults” directed at the governor and the commissioner, stressing that such comments do not reflect the values or position of the Jenjo people. According to him, the Jenjo community has always upheld a reputation for good character and remains committed to the progressive vision of advancing Taraba State. The Secretary General expressed regret over the development and emphasized that it would not be party to actions capable of undermining the state government. “We bow in regret and state clearly that such an attitude is not part of the Jenjo...

INSECURITY:Bissaula Community Leader Raises Alarm Over Renewed Attack, Calls for Lasting Security Deployment.

By Jako Keke, November 22,2025. A community leader in Bissaula Ward of Kurmi Local Government Area, Taraba State, Alhaji Idi Ismaila, has decried a fresh wave of violence that disrupted the fragile peace recently restored to the area. He made the remarks during a press briefing where he recounted the latest attack and appealed for urgent government intervention. According to Ismaila, the Bissaula community was thrown into panic on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, at about 8:00 p.m., when unknown gunmen, suspected to be members of the Ndaka-Chamba militia, stormed the village and opened fire. Their primary target was said to be Baba Umaru Gambo, a former youth leader of the community and current Commander of the Taraba Marshal in Kurmi Local Government Area. Ismaila explained that Gambo and another resident, Kefas Hassan Bui, were seated outside when the attackers arrived. Both men fled, but the assailants allegedly pursued Gambo, shooting him multiple times and leaving him with...

Jalingo Times.

Search This Blog