By EMMANUEL BELLO

The year 2026 promises to be a very busy year. Politicking will kick into overdrive, and the power permutations will hit the super highway. But for Taraba state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, it promises to be a year of consolidation and conclusions on many of his lofty plans and ideas. 2026 will be business unusual! Governor Kefas came into this job with an unquenchable zeal to transform Taraba from a rural state to one that is reckoned with globally. He hasn't lost a step in that direction.

That is why, in the last two years, he has resisted the temptations for superficial developments for cheap applause. Rather, he focused on the silently arduous but needed internal surgery the state needed. From chaos to a concrete masterplan, the governor took his time to dig a solid foundation that would outlive his administration. What critics saw as a slow pace in major physical development was actually the deliberate redesigning of structures and putting the pillars in place for a robust takeoff.

Thus, 2026 will be the year of gains and harvest. Citizens will full the heavy impact of meticulous planning, deft investment, and strategic thinking. It is the year of work and more work!

SECURITY

In security, Gov Kefas has already laid the foundations of an impregnable state. The last year saw the setting up of a symbolic protective wall around the state. What’s more, the year 2025 was one that tested the security architecture of Nigeria as well as the regions within it. Consequently, the year also brought out the best in the retired soldier turned politician. Today, Taraba stands as a beacon of hope as far as security is concerned. Even The governor’s worst critics have attested to the new lease of life that a secured space has brought to all.

EDUCATION

In spite of the teething problems of the last two years since Governor Kefas declared free education in the state, the policy has subsisted and survived. Primary and secondary school education have remained free and compulsory. University students pay only half of their tuition fees while the government paid the rest. In 2026, the free education policy will benefit fully from the creation of additional ministries of Tertairy education and one of pre primary and secondary school. In deed, 2026 will see the fine tunning and better appreciation of the great efforts of the governor to make Taraba an education hub in the North and the country.

HEALTH

In the health sector, Gov Kefas’s introduction of mobile hospitals and more ambulances in the rural areas are revolutionising the sector. The idea is to cut off medical tourism to other states and make the state self reliant as far as hospitals are concerned. With a profound University Teaching Hospital in Wukari among others health institutions, 2026 promises to be one the healthiest years in Taraba state.

ROADS

Starting from October 2025, Gov Kefas began the road revolution in Taraba state. Not playing mere politics with the issues of road networks, the methodical governor took his time to study the situation. “We want roads that will stand the test of time,” he declared. All the groundwork is done already with reputable contractors mobilised to the sites. The Taraba roads will be the envy of the world as they will compete favourably with others in terms of durability. 2026 will literally be the road to eldorado.

AIRPORT

Taraba state now has a world-class airport in Jalingo. The Danbaba Suntai airport has gone through a solid transformation in the last two years. But Governor Kefas is not done yet. Plans are underway to further expand the runway and sign up more airlines. Mordern Aviation Equipments like the Instrument Landing System (ILS), the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) and the runway lights have been installed to to help planes land in bad weather, at night and properly guide the plane to land. Air travel will be boosted too by the world-class TY Danjuma Airport at Kashimbilla Takum, comercial flights are set to begin at the Airport too. A brain child of former defence minister and elderstatesman, the airport is one of its kind. 2026 promises to see more activities on its tarmac.

AGRICULTURE

The last two years saw the governor engaging top-level stakeholders in the agricultural sector. The tractorisation policy kicked off with over 100 units of tractors from the Czech Republic. In 2026, the governor will consolidate and energise the sector further. More agencies have been created to facilitate loans to farmers. The synergy built with partners such as Lagos state will yield more fruits this year. Safety in the farms will translate to more farming activities. Food security will thus receive a massive boost in 2026.

SOLID MINERALS.

If there is one area the governor has continued to receive accolades, it is in the solid minerals sector. As we write this, all plas are underway to begin the prosperous exploration of Taraba solid mineral vast reserves. The last two years saw the governor mapping out the state’s deep resources. In 2026, Taraba will begin to reap from its divine endowment.

WORKERS ENTITLEMENT

Governor Kefas is a die-hard believer in staff growth, welfare, and job satisfaction. He is committed to the training and retraining of staff, as well as giving them the right tools to succeed. Thus, he restored the prompt payments of entitlement and pensions/gratuities. In fact, pensions and gratuities have not been paid for close to 14 years before the advent of Governor Kefas. He swiftly returned that very golden entitlement to aged parents. 2026 will see the end to all crises associated with the civil force as all the necessary measures needed are in place now to clean the proverbial Augean stable.

•Bello is the Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications to Governor Kefas.

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