News Editor
Emmanuel Bello
Since he climbed down the stage at the Jolly Nyame stadium, Jalingo where he was inaugurated, Dr Agbu Kefas, the new helmsman of Taraba politics, has been up and doing in true military fashion- his main constituency. There is a swashbuckling style with his directives and a swiftness that belies his rather self effacing exterior. He’s now, no doubt, a complete democrat but the soldierly training, the discipline, and the alacrity are all too visible.
Starting off day one with a sumptous Inaugural dinner, the next day was all business. Whereas in the past, governors will flounder and delay on the issue, Governor Kefas was ready with his nominees for the office of the Chief Press Secretary, the Chief Protocols, the SSG and Chief of Staff. It was the swiftest Taraba had experienced. No time wasting and no confusion. He quickly dissolved the 16 local governments council to make for a new team. He also dissolved all boards and agencies to reinvigorate the civil service.
The following morning was equally action-packed as the governor had his maiden interactions in his office with stakeholders. He promptly sworn in the SSG to kick start the arduous paperwork of governance. He also inspected facilities of the Government House to ensure staff can effectively work there. He ordered for the immediate payment of salaries, thereby breaking the jinx of salary delays. He also set in motion a community based labour team to begin cleaning up the metropolis.
Friday was equally filled with activities. It was the day he declared an emergency in the education sector. The goal is to provide better classrooms and effective teaching aides; retrain the teachers, and clear up backlog of salaries and other entitlements. Primary and secondary schools are the bedrock of education. He’s targeting to sanitize the sector for effectiveness.
It’s just four days on the job and the state is already feeling the impact: salaries getting paid, city getting cleaner, the Civil force getting rebooted and a general sense that the state is indeed now moving forward.
