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Taraba, the Virgin Land

  




Anticipation is great. To be honest, I wonder what's the problem with waiting, why we think everything has to be so fast. Fast nourishment, fast coffee, fast femininity. I'm pretty sure that most people who know the value of time respect diligent and patience in doing things. I am so surprise at the level at which Taraba state is developing and became the center of agriculture, modern market, and well-structured within a short period of its existence/creation to the amazement of many states around it. It is not ignorance to say that Taraba state is a virgin state, just seat back and take a clear view of again and again, then you will believe with me that what I’m saying is nothing but the truth. I really want to shock you by unveiling the beauty and blessing to but I just don’t to be in a hurry; so permit me to ask this very interesting question “Virginity?” 




Virginity is the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. There are cultural and religious traditions that place special value and significance on this state, predominantly towards unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honor, and worth

Like other states in Nigeria, Taraba State, was created in 1991 out of the former Gongola State. It covers a total of 54, 478sqkm land area, (thereby being the third largest in the country). It has an amazing feature that will surprise many countries in the world so to say, it virginity is still undiscovered because many undermined the state.  For the fact that it’s a baby state and it has not met the standard but I’m here to shock you that Taraba state has taken many states in this country unaware at the level at which the state is developing. I used to say, when a good leader thrives, the people rejoice and celebrate. DDI is really changing the face of Taraba state to it dream face. 

To say but few, Taraba State is tremendously endowed with purposeful diversity which is an important element in development. From natural to human resources, which brought out the purity, honor and worth which is the priority of virgin. Taraba is simply wonderful and blessed land beyond our human comprehension and that makes it stood out among it contemporaries. Of course, its beauty is the genuine people, community, social amenities educational standard and elevating human qualities and abundant natural endowments that drive development and promote good quality of life.

Taraba as a state is largely blessed in all these. For instance, it is home to the largest base of solid minerals, including gold, diamond, galena, limestone, zinc and so on. These are what I saw and call it a virgin land which is not rear in most of the states in country. While these amazing nature’s gifts are little known to many Nigerians, but it's true. Unarguably, Taraba sits atop of over 200 solid mineral deposits waiting for exploitation what a virgin land?



Taraba's potential in this area surpasses any state in Nigeria. What is visibly lacking is meat processing industry to stimulate economic and social wellbeing of the people, the state and Nigeria as a whole.

In terms of culturally diverse, Taraba has many enviable ethnic groups living in harmony with a warm feeling of generosity, accommodation and friendliness. With its three key endowments of agriculture, solid minerals deposits and tourism landmarks, Taraba is, undoubtedly, nature's gift to the nation. And I agree with that hundred percent 

The landmass of Taraba State is 60,291.82 square kilometers. The population is approximately over three million people. With 16 local government councils and two special development areas, Taraba derives its name from River Taraba, which is one of the major rivers that run through the state, the others being Benue and Donga. The fertile land grows both food and cash crops like rice, yam, cassava, soya bean, sesame seed, groundnut, sugarcane, cashew, tea, coffee, apple, palm trees and so on. With these reality, and proof I think there is no augment on the fact that Taraba is a virgin land.

Therefore, with refreshing cultures, multilingualism and multi-religionist, yet exemplifying a delightful society united in all fronts, Taraba's profile exposes the negative picture being painted by a few misguided people. Recently, the media was awash with negative publicity about Taraba characterized by acts of killings, kidnapping and robbery, posting the impression that the state is crime infested. Although criminality is a global phenomenon, we resist its manifestation in the state, because it is anti-progress. The governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku is in the forefront in the fight against criminality so that peace will flow and development will take hold.

While responding to the award, Governor Ishaku said he created 50 chiefdoms in order to engage the people at the grassroots in governance and has adopted proactive measures to end banditry, farmers and herder’s crisis, kidnapping and theft. What a leader of the people, for the people and with the people; the epitomize of a good leader.

He noted that Taraba is the most peaceful state in the Northeast; however, it was contending with issues bordering on internally displaced persons and promised to give a new lease of life to the displaced.

This is amazingly impressive leadership by example. Governor Ishaku is certain to open many doors and desires nothing less than cooperation from every Taraban.


Therefore, with these huge potential Taraba possesses in natural and human resources and with the persistent determination of Governor Ishaku to change the narrative of underdevelopment, Taraba can be a safe and rich haven if these resources are intensely harnessed. This is the Taraba we cherish and seek to collectively build, where we make our diversity count. This is our Taraba, promising Nigeria and humanity at large much more in the New Year and beyond.

Hence, Taraba State lies mainly within the middle of Nigeria and consists of undulating landscape dotted with a few mountainous features. These include the beautiful and projecting Mambilla Plateau. The state lies largely within the tropical zone and has a vegetation of low forest in the southern part and grassland in the northern part. The Mambilla Plateau with an altitude of 1,800 meters (6000 ft) above sea level has a temperate climate all year round. The Benue, Donga, Taraba and Ibi are the main rivers in the state. They rise from the Cameroonian mountains, straining almost the entire length of the state in the North and South direction to link up with the River Niger.

The major occupation of the people of Taraba State is agriculture. Cash crops produced in the state include coffee, tea, groundnuts and cotton. Crops such as maize, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, and yam are also produced in commercial quantity. In addition, cattle, sheep and goats are reared in large numbers, especially on the Mambilla Plateau, and along the Benue and Taraba valleys. Similarly, the people undertake other livestock production activities like poultry production, rabbit breeding and pig farming in fairly large scale. Communities living on the banks 

Taraba state is richly blessed with varied and favorable ecological biomes and landscapes with vegetation ranging from mangrove swamps to the southern coastal riverine areas through the rainforest of the mif/central lands to the mountainous derived savannah in the northern part of the state. 

By Idris Ehi

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