By Our Correspondent
As Taraba State marks the 35th anniversary of its creation, the National Coordinator of the Asiwaju Again Renewed Hope Support Initiative 2027, Ambassador Musa Muhammed Tsoken, has called on the people of the state to embrace unity, peace and purposeful collaboration as catalysts for economic development.
Tsoken, who is also the National President of the APC Initiative for Good Governance (APC-IGG), made the call in a goodwill message marking the anniversary of the state.
He described Taraba as a state endowed with enormous agricultural, mineral and tourism potentials, saying the state has what it takes to emerge as an economic hub of the North-East if its diverse population can unite around a common development agenda.
According to him, Taraba’s fertile agricultural land, solid mineral resources, Mambilla Plateau, Gashaka-Gumti National Park and hardworking population provide the foundation for sustained economic growth and prosperity.
The APC chieftain commended past administrations in the state for their contributions to its development, noting that despite the shortcomings of successive governments, each administration had contributed to the evolution of Taraba since its creation.
He particularly commended the state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for what he described as his commitment to peace and security, attributing the relative peace currently enjoyed in the state to the governor’s professional background as a retired senior military officer, strategic engagements with security agencies and cooperation from the people.
“Security is the foundation of development,” Tsoken said, stressing that the prevailing peaceful atmosphere would help create the confidence necessary for investors to explore opportunities across the state.
He urged religious, traditional, ethnic and political leaders to support efforts aimed at sustaining peace in Taraba, warning against hate speech, divisive politics and other actions capable of undermining the state’s stability.
Tsoken further called on Tarabans to place the collective interest of the state above political, ethnic and religious differences, arguing that unity and peace were essential to attracting investments, creating employment opportunities and improving the living standards of the people.
“At 35, Taraba is still young. The best is yet to come if we stay together,” he said.
He also linked the call for peace and development to the economic transformation objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The anniversary, according to Tsoken, provides an opportunity not only to celebrate Taraba’s achievements over the past 35 years but also to reflect on its challenges and develop a collective vision for a more prosperous future.
He wished the people of Taraba continued peace, progress and prosperity, while praying for the development of the state and Nigeria as a whole.