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By Yusuf Salihu Sansani, Jalingo
The Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas has reaffirmed his commitment of facing the daunting challenges of the state headlong.
The Governor stated this while receiving the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale and his team who paid him a courtesy call.
He said with the attention and support of the United Nations all the challenges of Taraba State are surmountable.
Dr. Kefas maintained that the unique challenges confronting the state are food security, access to quality healthcare, education and infrastructural development among others.
He said the scourge of climate change poses significant threat to agriculture, the economy and the general livelihood of the people of the state.
Dr. Kefas expressed his determination to overcome these hurdles and create a better state for generation yet unborn.
The Governor recognized that tackling these challenges require collaboration and collective actions noting that the UN had a long standing history of
support to countries facing adversaries and expressed the commitment of his Government to work hand-in-hand with the UN to design and implement sustainable solutions to address the root causes of the problems of the state.
He said while the support of the International community and the UN are vital the strength of the people and resources are essential saying that the people will be empowered with the tools, knowledge and resources to harness the potentials of the citizens.
He disclosed that the Government will ensure community-driven and sustainable initiatives whereby economic prosperity will go hand-in-hand with environmental indications, initiative, renewable energy as well as sustainable resources management to build a more resilient and prosperous Taraba State.
Earlier, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale who led officials of UNICEF, UNHCR, WHO and UNESCO, said the visit was aimed at the possiblity of giving any assistance to Taraba State particularly on matters of children, health, refugees and education.
The envoy said officials of very strong UN agencies were on his entourage signifying strong collaboration with the Taraba State Government in achieving its aims.
He stated that there are a total of 21 UN agencies in Nigeria offering support for sustainable development which they signed with the Federal Government last year which by nature will be translated into meaningful partnership at the state levels.
He said one of the criteria for the choice of partnership is that the state must have clear vision and priorities that rhymed with the global priorities in which the state Governor is providing leadership by example and implementing the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.
