Taraba State Has No Business With Poverty
By Henry Agbu
Taraba State, often called “Nature’s Gift to the Nation,” is richly endowed with everything a thriving economy needs — fertile land, diverse mineral deposits, lush forests, rivers teeming with life, and a resilient, enterprising population.
Yet, like many parts of Nigeria, it continues to grapple with poverty. But here’s the truth: Taraba has no business with poverty.
In the rolling hills of Mambilla Plateau, tea plantations flourish and cattle graze peacefully. The vast stretches of arable land from Gassol to Karim Lamido remain largely untapped, even though they hold the key to food security not just for Taraba, but for the nation. From cassava to maize, rice to groundnuts, the state is a potential agricultural powerhouse.
Beyond agriculture, Taraba is blessed with abundant mineral resources — barite, bauxite, coal, limestone, and precious stones — many of which remain unexplored or underutilized. A strategic investment and policy push could transform these into job-creating industries.
The human capital is equally promising. Taraba’s youth are vibrant, creative, and eager to contribute. With the right investments in education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship, the state could harness a generation of innovators, farmers, engineers, and leaders.
Under the leadership of Governor Agbu Kefas, bold steps have been taken to reverse the poverty narrative. From educational reforms and youth empowerment schemes to infrastructure development and agricultural modernization, there is growing evidence that the tide is turning.
Initiatives like the remodeling of Jalingo Airport, the revamp of the Taraba Green House, and partnerships with international investors signal a new direction. The recent push to establish Family Courts and enforce social justice is another indicator of the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
However, the journey out of poverty must be collective. It will require visionary leadership, citizen participation, community cooperation, and an unwavering belief that Taraba’s destiny is not one of lack, but of abundance.
The truth remains: Taraba State has no business with poverty. The state has all it takes to be a beacon of prosperity — and now is the time to rise and claim that future.
