Taraba
Gov. Kefas, General Faransa in cold war over destruction of N10 billion mining equipment
By Victor Idujagi Jalingo
There is an ongoing sour relationship between Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba State and his strong political Aly, General Jeremiah Faransa (rtd), Chairman, Task force Committee on Illegal Mining and Deforestation over the circumstances sourounding the destruction of over N10 billion worth of government owned mining equipment in Akwana, Wukari local government of the state.
General Faransa (Rtd) holds two exhalted positions as Chairman, Taskforce committee on Illegal Mining and Deforestation as well as the Chairman of Taraba State Board of Internal Revenue Services.
During his last visit to Akwana mining site, Faransa allegedly ordered his team to set fire on all the mining equipment worth N10.5 billion Naira and burnt them.
The Akwana mining site which is located at the boarder between Taraba and Benue states, is believed to be richly endowed with Lithium, Gold and Sodium said to be in large deposits, has over the years been a centre of mining activities for both officials and Illegal miners.
Our investigation reveals that the equipment which includes two brand new Excavators, Soundproof MiKano Generators, Detecting Machines, motorcycles and other equipment used for such activities, were purchased by Governor Kefas through the Bureau for Solid Mineral Resources at the cost of about N10.5 billion early this year.
The Permanent Secretary, Taraba State Bureau for Solid Mineral Resources, Matsai David confirmed that after the purchase, he personally conveyed the mining equipment to Akwana on the directives of the Governor.
“I conveyed the mining equipment to Wukari on the directive of the governor, I am not answerable to the Taskforce. So when the governor comes back from the trip, I will give my explanation on the situation, for now, I reserve my comment” David disclosed when contacted over the incident.
The question by many Tarabans last week is whether Governor Kefas has also embarked on secret Illegal Mining activities. Citizens are wondering why the purchase of the mining equipment without the knowledge of the Chairman of the Taskforce committee on illegal mining?
Meanwhile, the Taraba Concern Citizens (TCC), a pressure group operating within the state has requested that both Gov Kefas and General Faransa owe the people of the state explanation why equipment procured with state funds amounting to a whopping sum of over N10.5 billion be destroyed by a committee set up by a committee set up by the state government.
The Coordinator of the group, Comrade Emos Tijani said, “we are calling on Governor Kefas to come out clearly and tell the people of the state why a Taskforce established by his government would destroy equipment worth Billions of Naira which was procured by tax payers money
“We the concern citizens are still confused of what led to the destruction of the mining equipment, is it that the Faransa led Taskforce is in disagreement with the state government? Or, is it that the governor and his government are also engaged in secret illegal mining activities without the knowledge of the Faransa committee? “he questioned.
The action of General Faransa to burn down the equipment of such magnitude is still questionable as why couldn’t the committee confiscate the equipment which would have served as exhibit and would have justified their claims of having illegal miners operating in the state.
There are feelers that the general has his hidden plans to begin his own private Mining business in the area and as such destroyed the government’s equipment with the motive to frustrate the government’s mining business.
There are other suspicions from different quarters that the General was bringing in partners who mostly are powerful retired generals who are into mining business and who had been his godfathers while he was serving in the military.
According to a source who was at the mining site during the destruction at Akwana told our correspondent last week that the Chairman, Gen. Faransa, had told them that the equipment belonged to illegal Miners who always hide to harness mineral resources in the state.
National update investigation reveals that Governor Kefas has since fallen apart with General Faransa following his alleged excesses and secret dealing, including arrogating powers to himself as Chairman of the Taskforce.
It was gathered that during the raid by Faransa’s Taskforce on several mining locations in the state few months ago , the Taskforce recovered different kinds of mineral resources amounting to billions of naira from illegal miners, but the items were later sold and the proceeds were allegedly diverted to personal pockets.
These and many other reasons was responsible to why Governor Kefas in April this year appointed Faransa as Chairman Taraba state board of internal revenue to relief him of the position of the Taskforce committee Chairman.
It was gathered that since his appointment as Chairman, board of internal revenue, Faransa has vowed not to relinquish his position as Taskforce committee on Illegal Mining.
Aside from his refusal to relinquish the position of the Taskforce Chairman, Faransa sometimes last week allegedly wrote to the office of the State Accountant General directing that the AG must henceforth furnish his office with details of all revenue acrueing to the state, including monthly federal allocations.
Again, General Faransa under the board of internal revenue is currently recruiting boys loyal to him to handle collections of revenue on heads and sub-heads that are domicile in all the MDAS in the state, thereby depriving the professionals and technical officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies from doing their duties.
It was however gathered that this development did not go down well with Governor Kefas who according to sources viewed Faransa as arrogating too much powers to himself and over stepping his bounds.
Sources reveals that for the past three weeks, Governor Kefas has shot his doors against Faransa, including declining to pick all his phone calls.
All efforts by our correspondent to reach General Faransa, the Chairman of the Taskforce committee on Illegal Mining and Deforestation proved abortive.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Kefas on media and communication, Hon. Emmanul Bello told our correspondent that the appropriate person to comment on the matter was the Permanent Secretary Bureau for Solid Mineral Resources, Mr. Matsai David who earlier confirmed his office purchased the mining equipment on the directives of the Governor.
Taraba
Why I Pushed for a Kwararafa History Department at Kwararafa University – Dr. Yakubu
From Eleojo Samuel Adaji Jalingo
The former Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and Pro Chancellor of the Kwararafa University Wukari, Taraba State, Engr. Dr. Andrew Yakubu Laah said he advocated for the creation of a department of Kwararafa history at the institution to preserve the Kwararafa cultural history as a foundation for a progressive future.
Dr. Yakubu stated this last Weekend shortly after he was awarded with a honorary doctorate degree in Science by the community based university in Wukari.
He explained that understanding historical roots is significant in shaping a promising future, saying, “If we do not know where we are coming from, we may not likely know where we are going”.
The former GMD added that being a descendant of the great Kwararafa Kingdom, inspired him to advocate for the creation of the department, stressing that it will open room for historians across the world to visit the University for more authentic insight on the history of the kingdom.
Dr. Yakubu also explained the need for the Middle belt and other cultures across the country to embrace their rich cultural heritage as a means of positioning themselves as leaders rather than just following the global trend.
“For us to stand out as a unique kingdom, and to compete with other cultures across the globe, we must invest and celebrate our unique cultural heritage.
“While the world should be competing with us as first-generation leaders in culture and creativity, we have abandoned that position. It is time to do things differently by investing in uplifting our culture”, he said.
Dr. Yakubu further pledged to use his connections and experience to rally round support for the development of the University.
“The ultimate aim is to make the university self-sufficient and better positioned to serve the community’s educational needs.
“We will come up with a scheme to enhance the teaching and learning environments within the school and give the students access to high-quality educational opportunities.
The School was founded in 2005 as a community based university, by the Jukun chiefdom, under the leadership of the paramount ruler, the Aku Uka, to
focus on students’ intellectual and moral development.//.
Taraba
Save Kwararafa University from imminent collapse, Dr. Kente urges descendants
From Eleojo Samuel Adaji Jalingo
A philanthropist and founder of Mecapacynth International Academy in Abuja and Wukari local government area of Taraba State, Chief Dr. David Sabo Kente, has urged the descendant of the Kwararafa dynasty and other well-meaning Nigerians to support the community-based Kwararafa University, Wukari, Taraba State to meet its academic mission.
Dr. Kente pleaded with all stakeholders to do everything possible to rescue the university from collapsing.
The philanthropist who made the plea shortly after he was awarded with a honorary doctorate degree of public service at the 2nd joint convocation ceremony of the university held at the school premises last weekend said the founders of the institution needed to be encouraged to meet up with their aspiration.
“Let us do our best to make Kwararafa University a place to be proud of,” he said.
The business tycoon thanked the University community, especially the Senate for finding him worthy of the award.
Kente, pledged to continue supporting education and the sustenance of the institution, which is one of first Africa community University.
He said he rejected offers of such awards from five major universities across Nigeria to be honored with a doctorate degree, but decided to accept the one from a university founded by his community because the initiative is so dear to him.
“Ask my aides. I have rejected offers from five universities to be honored with a doctorate degree, but I accepted this one because the university is dear to me and the honour is coming directly from my community. I appreciate the honour and I won’t take it for granted
Dr. Kente, a former financial facilitator on education with the North East Development Commission (NEDC), said he has helped in facilitating the building of lecture halls and staff quarters in the institution while working with the commission.
“Asides from that I have personally built structures in the University and I have a scholarship program in the University through my foundation, DSK foundation “said.
Kente added, he would continue to deploy his God-given ability of working hard to achieve positive and admirable results in the country’s educational landscape, especially in the Kwararafa University.
He disclosed that the Kwararafa University was conceived by the five local governments in Southern Taraba, but nurtured by only a few people.”
“It was through the collective efforts of some stakeholders, including the staff and students that the university is surviving, I am calling on all the descendants of the great Kwararafa empire and all well meaning Nigerians to help the university attain its vision and projection.”
Apart from Chief Dr. Kente, notable individuals also received awards including Attah Igala, Alaji Mathew Opaluwa Oguche Akpa II who was awarded with doctor of letters and former Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Engr Andrew Yakubu, was awarded doctor of science.///.
Taraba
Taraba: Army Arrests 12 Suspected Kidnappers, Recover 14 Motorcycles, Pistol, Bags of Indian Hemp
From Eleojo Samuel Adaji Jalingo
Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army / Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended 12 suspected kidnappers and recovered 14 motorcycles, a locally fabricated pistol, and two bags of Indian hemp in its operations within Taraba State.
This was contained in a Press Release signed by Captain Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations of the 6 Brigade in Jalingo on Tuesday.
“Following a distress call from the residents of Chanchanji village regarding the abduction of two individuals by a group of about 10 armed men on motorcycles on 7 November 2024. Acting immediately, troops launched a rapid response operation aimed at rescuing the victims and intercepting the kidnappers.
“Upon making contact with the armed group, the superior firepower of the troops forced the kidnappers to withdraw deep into the bush, leaving behind their locally fabricated pistol and two bags of Indian hemp”.
According to capt. Oni the troops’ thorough exploitation of the area prevented further criminal activity and disrupted the kidnappers’ operations.
“In a subsequent follow-up operation which was based on credible intelligence, troops on 9 November 24 arrested 12 suspects and seized 14 motorcycles at a local drinking joint in Mbhakyir village close to Agu Center.
“During an intensive investigation, the troops arrested the suspects who upon interrogation. admitted to being part of the kidnapping operation and identified their leader as Veior John Gata, a notorious terrorist who has been on the wanted list of security agencies for orchestrating criminal activities in parts of southern Taraba and Benue states”.
The suspects, according to the acting Director Army public Relations the suspects further confessed that Veior was with them at Agu center on 5 November 2024 before the killing of two locals and abduction of two individuals on 6th and 7th November, respectively at Chanchanji village in Takum local government.
“They suspects added that Veior was displeased with the locals in Chanchanji, hence he want to ensure that the market is closed down by putting fear and terror in the mind of both buyers and sellers”.
The Release commended the efforts of local residents for their cooperation, encouraging them to continue providing timely and credible information to facilitate security operations.
Captain Olubodunde Oni stressed that 6 Brigade Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all communities within its area of operation.
He therefore advised members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies in their area///.
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