Taraba State
Taraba State, Nigeria: Overview
Location and Geography:
Taraba State is northeastern Nigeria, bordered by Plateau, Gombe, Adamawa, and Benue States, and shares an international border with Cameroon. Its terrain includes savannahs, mountains, (e.g., Mambila Plateau), and rainforests.
Capital: Jalingo.
Creation: Formed on August 27, 1991, during General Ibrahim Babangida's regime, from part of former Gongola State.
People and Culture:
Ethnic Diversity: Home to over 80 ethnic groups, including Jukun, Kuteb, Chamba, Tiv, Fulani, and Hausa.
Language: Indigenous languages, with Hausa and English widely spoke,
Festivals: Zhitsuun (Kuteb), Puje (Jukun), and cultural dances showcasing traditional attire.
Economy
Agriculture: Major crops include yam, cassava, rice, and cash crops like tea and coffee (Mambilla Plateau is a key tea-producing region).
Minerals: Kaolin, zinc, barite, and limestone.
Tourism:
Gashaka Gumti National Park: Nigeria's largest national park, hosting wildlife like elephants, chimpazees, and rare birds.
Mambilla Plateau: Cool climate, scenic landscapes, and potential site for the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project (if completed, it would be Nigeria's largest power plant).
Challenges:
Security: Farmer-herder conflicts, ethnic clashes, and spillover violence from Boko Haram/ISWAP in neighboring states.
Infrastructure Deficit: Poor road networks, limited healthcare, and educational facilities in rural areas.
Government:
Current Governor: Agbu Kefas (People's Democratic Party, PDP), inaugurated May, 2023.
Previous Governor: Darius Ishaku (PDP, 2015 - 2023).
Education:
Tertiary institutions include Taraba State University (Jalingo), College of Education (Zingi), and Federal University Wukari.
Climate:
Tropical with a rainy season (April - October). The Mambilla Plateau enjoys cooler temperatures due to its elevation (1,600 metres above sea level).
Nickname: "Nature's Gift to the Nation" for its biodiversity, waterfalls, and fertile land.
Key Issues:
Underdevelopment despite natural resources.
Ethnic tensions and displacement.
Delays in realizing the Mambilla Power Project's potential.