The Taraba state governor, 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 visit.
Kefas said with the attention and support of the United Nations, all the challenges of Taraba state are surmountable. He also maintained that the unique challenges confronting Taraba state are food Security, access to quality healthcare, education, infrastructural development among others.
He also said the scourge of climate change poses significant threat to agriculture, the economy and the general livelihood of the people of the Taraba.
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.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria Mr. Matthias Schmale who led officials of UNCEF, UNHCR, WHO and UNESCO said the visit was aimed at the possibility of giving any assistance to Taraba state particularly on matters of children, Health, refugees and Education.
Schmale added that, UN agencies will collaborate 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 in which the State Governor is providing Leadership by example and implementing the Universal Declaration on Human Right by providing free Education at Primary and Secondary Schools which is key to sustainable Development.
”UN was established to contribute to global peace building so the visit is not only to provide development support but to engage in peace building to help address the root causes of violent conflicts in the Taraba”
Schmale said the UN is also available to convene dialogue in safe states among various groups that may be helpful and thanked the governor for the audience.
