Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has declared that his recognition as the Governor of the Year 2026 by LEADERSHIP Newspapers has spurred him to do more for the development of the state.
Speaking during the presentation of the award letter by the management of LEADERSHIP Group Limited, publishers of LEADERSHIP Newspapers, at the Taraba State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, the governor said LEADERSHIP’s recognition is an encouragement to sustain his administration’s efforts in education, security, rural development and economic empowerment.
He thanked LEADERSHIP for the honour, adding that the recognition was significant because it showed the foundation being laid by his administration was being noticed beyond the state. The governor, who described governance as a continuous process, said his administration’s achievements remained “work in progress.”
Kefas noted that limited resources and the state’s diversity, with more than 80 ethnic groups, required careful planning and prioritisation to ensure that development reached all communities.
He said education was one of his administration’s major priorities, recalling that schools inherited by his government were characterised by dilapidated classrooms, inadequate furniture and a shortage of teachers.
The governor disclosed that his administration had taken difficult decisions to rebuild schools and improve access to education, stressing that public resource should be used to serve the people.
Kefas also linked security to the welfare and empowerment of citizens, saying the state had adopted a community-based approach that involved traditional rulers and local communities. He said Taraba shares borders with six states and faces security challenges in some border areas, adding that engaging traditional institutions and addressing the needs of the people had helped strengthen security efforts.
The governor said his administration would continue to work to complete ongoing projects, improve internally generated revenue and establish sustainable structures that would remain functional beyond his tenure.
He also called for stronger cooperation between leaders and citizens, urging Nigerians to move beyond constant criticism and work collectively towards solving the country’s challenges.
Presenting the letter of award, the Group Managing Director of LEADERSHIP Group, Mr Muazu Elazeh, said Kefas emerged Governor of the Year after thorough examination of his administration’s performance and the improvements recorded in Taraba State, particularly in education, rural development and economic empowerment.
Elazeh said the award was intended to encourage the governor to do more and inspire other public officials to pursue people-centred governance. He said the annual LEADERSHIP Awards were established to recognise Nigerians, public officials and organisations that have distinguished themselves through exceptional performance and meaningful contributions to society.
