By our correspondent

Governor Agbu Kefas has approved the appointment of Prof. Demo Joab Usman Kalla as Vice-Chancellor of the Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture, Science, Technology and Climate Action, Gembu.

The appointment was announced in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, Esq., on Monday in Jalingo, the state capital.

Until his appointment, Prof. Kalla served as Director of the TETFund Centre of Excellence on Dairy Research and Development at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Bauchi, and as a member of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee.

The statement describes Prof. Kalla as a prolific scholar with an impressive record of high-quality research publications in reputable local and international journals.

“His contributions to the field of Animal Science have earned him wide recognition within academic and professional circles,” it stated.

Governor Kefas expressed confidence that Prof. Kalla would bring his wealth of experience in academia, research, leadership and administration to bear in providing visionary leadership for the new institution.

According to the governor, the university is expected to be positioned as a centre of excellence in tropical agriculture, science, technology and climate action.

He wished the new Vice-Chancellor a successful and impactful tenure, and urged him to work diligently with relevant stakeholders to realise the university’s mandate.

Governor Kefas also charged Prof. Kalla to drive advancement in education, research, innovation and sustainable development in Taraba State and beyond.

The university, located in Gembu, Sardauna Local Government Area, is one of the flagship higher education projects of the Kefas administration aimed at expanding access to specialised education.

By Our Correspondent

In a bid to foster effective and tech-driven workforce, the Federal Government has introduced an interactive e-training platform designed to expand knowledge access for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) personnel.,

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande launched the new portal in Abuja on Monday during the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Workshop, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting the NYSC, according to a statement by Information Director Caroline Embu.

Praising the NYSC leadership, Olawande expressed delight at how technology is currently transforming the agency’s operations and driving higher institutional efficiency.

He noted that increased access to information has enhanced the professionalism of the NYSC workforce
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In the words of the Minister,, “this platform would also help to build more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce. We are committed towards making the Scheme get better, let us work together and embrace technology”, Olawande said.

He also said that with the growing trend across the globe, academic qualifications alone cannot solve the problems of unemployment.

“Our Corps Members must learn practical skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, problems-solving.”

“They must also understand the importance of discipline, integrity, and tfr responsibility. Every Corps Member must be encouraged to make meaningful impact”, Olawande stated.

He also reiterated that the service year should be an opportunity for graduates to serve, lead, and contribute to national development

The Minister disclosed that Skills Acuisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) remains the most important content in the NYSC as at date.

Also speaking, the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu said societal changes has made it imperative for the Scheme to constantly review its Orientation Course contents for more relevance.

He added that the Workshop theme; “Reimagining the NYSC Orientation Course: Building Resilient, Responsible and Service-Oriented Corps Members for a Changing World”, was chosen to shape the the Corps Members’ character, mindset, skills and civic awareness.

He added that the success of the Orientation Course depends largely on the effective collaboration of all stakeholders.

In his words; “I encourage everyone to keep building the partnership and trust needed for the security and welfare of Corps Members wherever they are posted across the country”.

“Management remains committed to working with security agencies to access risk, take preemptive steps and make Corps Members safe throughout service year”.

The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Nura Umar, in his address, appreciated Comrade Olawande for his passion for youth development.

He stated further that the Orientation Camp is the first contact of every Corps Member to kick-start the service year, adding that there was the need to shape their character, values and understanding of National responsibility.

Umar also said it is necessary to “rebuild and modernise the contents, methodology and delivery of the Orientation Exercise to ensure that it remains focused and align with contemporary realities.”

He challenged participants to use the workshop to build stronger stakeholder relationships by prioritizing corps members’ welfare, camp discipline, leadership growth, and skills development

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Bayelsa State has met the World Bank assessment for the supply of potable water across its capital city, Yenagoa, and environs.

Governor Douye Diri disclosed this on Wednesday during the 196th State Executive Council meeting held in Government House, Yenagoa.

He described the development as “good news” for Bayelsans, stating that the bank will, in collaboration with state government officials, begin mapping of Yenagoa and some neighboring communities for water infrastructure deployment.

Senator Diri noted that with ongoing efforts to achieve stable electricity and potable water supply, his administration would have delivered the basic requirements for societal growth.

His words: “We have been on this water thing with the World Bank, and Bayelsa is one of the states that has passed the hurdle of the bank.

“So the World Bank will alongside our state government officials go round the whole of Yenagoa and some neighboring places. They will deploy geo-mapping and also sensitise the people on this water supply project to Bayelsans.”

He further stated that by providing water, electricity, road infrastructure, schools and health facilities, his administration was laying a solid foundation to attract private sector investment to the state.

The Bayelsa helmsman stressed that government was not always the best businessman and advocated public-private partnership as the way forward for industrialising the state.

He called on Bayelsans to take advantage of the foundation being laid by his administration, adding that outsiders might see the economic opportunities in the state before them.

“Investments do not hang in the air. We have seen how some other some past governors made certain investments but those investments are now a shadow of themselves. I believe every economy is mostly private sector driven,” Diri said.

“Sometimes we may not even see the opportunities as Bayelsans. It is outsiders that see them before our people. So let us open our eyes to the opportunities for economic growth.”

During the meeting, the governor received an Award of Excellence for Disability Inclusion presented by the Commissioner for Women, Child Empowerment and Social Development, Mrs. Joanna Gigi.

According to the commissioner, the recognition from Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) was for the governor’s commitment to disability inclusion, particularly his assent to the Persons Living with Disabilities Law 2026, which she described as a significant milestone for the state.

The PLWDs also acknowledged the administration’s efforts under the Assured Prosperity Agenda, which saw to the appointment of 40 persons with disabilities into government positions, and the employment of over 20 physically challenged persons into the state civil service.