The Taraba State Commissioner for Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation, Habu James Philip, sheds light on the transformative initiatives of Governor Agbu Kefas, which he says are aimed at removing Taraba out of the poverty index map by 2027, in this interview with JUWE OLUWAFEMI
What exactly is your mandate as the Commissioner for Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation?
As the Commissioner for the Ministry of Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation in Taraba State, my mandate is to identify vulnerable groups. The less privileged and the poor, and work towards alleviating or eradicating their hardships. We aim to improve their livelihood through collaborations with stakeholders.
In your estimation, how well has this mandate been executed so far?
When we started, it was a challenging mandate, considering that Taraba has a population of about four million, with the majority facing extreme poverty. Statistics show that around 80 per cent of the population live in poverty. Poverty affects various areas such as education, infrastructure, healthcare and access to electricity. Upon assuming office, Governor Agbu Kefas took immediate action by declaring free education and reducing higher education fees by half, which greatly helped reduce financial burdens. Additionally, he focused on agriculture, distributing new farm implements to cooperative farmers. This move has significantly impacted poverty reduction. By 2027, I believe we’ll see tangible improvements. The government is constructing roads to facilitate access to local markets, ensuring farmers can transport their products easily. Through the Ministry of Rural Development, road rehabilitation has been prioritised. For example, tractors were recently distributed to cooperative farmers, courtesy of the North East Development Commission. We’ve also offered financial support through social grants, providing N50,000 to N100,000 to youths aged between 18 to 45. These are concrete steps toward eradicating poverty in Taraba.
What was the purpose of your recent visit to China?
My trip to China was incredibly enlightening. We studied China’s poverty eradication strategies, which primarily involved agriculture and e-commerce. China transformed its rural areas by modernising agriculture, building infrastructure and encouraging e-commerce. This is achievable in Taraba as well, considering our vast arable land. With the governor’s commitment to introducing advanced farming equipment and techniques, I believe Taraba is on the right track.
While in China, a viral video showed where you mentioned “sustaining poverty.” Can you clarify this?
Yes, thank you for bringing that up. I was in China discussing poverty eradication and sustainability, and I mistakenly said ‘sustaining poverty’ instead of ‘sustaining development.’ It was an honest slip of the tongue. My goal is to sustain development through agriculture, e-commerce and social empowerment, not poverty. I hope this clarifies the issue.
Poverty remains a significant issue in Nigeria, especially in the North. What specific challenges does Taraba face in this fight, and how are you addressing them?
One of the major challenges we’ve faced in Taraba has been a lack of leadership focused on poverty alleviation. But, this administration has taken steps to improve education, infrastructure, and healthcare and has made advanced agricultural tools accessible. Addressing these gaps is essential as they contribute to poverty. The governor’s initiatives in these areas are visible across the state, and we’re already seeing positive impacts.
Cooperative societies are essential for economic empowerment at small and medium scale levels. What programmes do you have to strengthen cooperative societies in your state?
Before, many people viewed cooperative and thrift societies only as government intervention platforms. We’ve educated them on how cooperatives can be self-sustaining and financially strong. Our ministry has been actively training and guiding cooperative societies on best practices, and our directors regularly visit them across the state. We believe cooperatives are vital for poverty eradication because they empower groups to support each other economically.
How do you think these cooperative societies have improved financial security for their members?
Previously, cooperatives operated independently, with members saving and pooling funds. But under Governor Kefas, we’ve provided intervention programmes like tractors and fertilisers to cooperative farmers. These resources boost agricultural productivity, strengthen the state’s economy and reinforce the importance of cooperatives.
So, how do you intend to leverage agriculture to promote industrial growth in Taraba?
Agriculture is indeed Taraba’s key sector for poverty reduction. About 85 per cent of Taraba’s population should ideally be involved in farming due to our fertile lands. With the right training, I believe that within the next decade, Taraba can become a major agricultural exporter. We already have potential with crops like soybeans, maize, guinea corn and yam, as well as cash crops like coffee and tea. Our governor’s support in modernising agriculture will certainly lead to a prosperous future for Taraba.
Can you share some recent success stories or statistics highlighting your ministry’s achievements?
We have partnered with NG-Cares to provide financial support to verified vulnerable individuals. Recently, we distributed funds to 10,049 beneficiaries. We’ve also distributed farm implements from the North East Development Commission and are continuously creating access roads through the Ministry of Rural Development. These initiatives are yielding positive results, and our education sector is being strengthened through fee reductions, allowing parents to focus on farming.
How well has the ministry’s empowerment initiative included women?
This administration is highly focused on women’s empowerment. Through the Nigeria for Women Project, funded by the World Bank, we provided rice and groundnut processing machines to women across the 16 Local Government Areas. Empowering women is empowering the community, and this initiative has already transformed many lives.
What efforts has the governor made in addressing insecurity in the state?
Before this administration, insecurity was a major concern in Taraba. Today, the state is significantly safer, I can personally attest to this. Now, I move around without security. Farmers are now able to work without fear, which directly supports agricultural and economic growth.
How does your ministry engage with communities to ensure their needs are met?
Dr. Agbu Kefas is one of the most experienced governors I have ever met. If you look at the composition of his executive cabinet, he appointed commissioners from the grassroots level and individuals with intellectual backgrounds and substantial experience. For those of us who come from the communities, data collection is straightforward because we are familiar with our people and understand their needs. Being appointed as the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation feels like a natural fit, allowing me to engage directly with the people. My ministry has directors who gather accurate data on those who need intervention, so we don’t rely on third-party data. We conduct our research directly within the 16 LGs where we have established connections with the communities. We understand what each community is capable of producing. For instance, if I’m looking to empower cooperatives in southern Taraba, I know I’ll be dealing with yam farmers in places like Okari and palm oil producers in Takum. Our data collection is effective because we know the people and what they need.
On direct data collection and feedback, does it mean that you have established channels for people across the state to share ideas or raise concerns regarding poverty alleviation initiatives?
Yes, we have a structured approach. Again, I reiterate that the governor selected a grassroots-focused team that includes me, and that allows us to directly connect with the people. We rely on our ministry’s directors and representatives to gather accurate data and feedback. This direct approach helps us address the real needs of our communities effectively. Moreover, we structured it in such a way that each community has gatekeepers and Dr. Kefas has committees in place that include these community leaders. Our ministry has offices across the geopolitical zones, and these offices are always open to ideas that can help reduce poverty. For example, if farmers feel that the distributed fertilisers are inadequate or not of the best quality, they can come forward with suggestions through their gatekeepers, chairpersons or counselors. We are open to feedback from all channels, whether it’s through the leaders of various organisations or directly from the communities.
Benue State is tagged the ‘Food Basket of The Nation.’ Recently, the Governor of Niger State was nicknamed the ‘Farmer Governor’ due to his strong agricultural initiatives. Considering what your governor is doing in agriculture, do you see Taraba becoming the new food basket, potentially surpassing Benue and Niger states?
That’s a timely question. Benue may hold the basket, but we’re holding the food. Much of what is produced in Niger State actually originates from Taraba. If we were to close our borders, many parts of Nigeria would feel the impact. Taraba has long been a champion in agriculture, supplying the entire North East and much of the North Central region. Even before this administration, our farmers were producing food in abundance. If you’re transporting crops like maize or rice through Benue on the way to the south, you’ll pass countless checkpoints because they know the produce is from Taraba. The truth is, we produce the food, and they get the credit due to strong media presence. But we are changing that. Our Ministry of Commerce is launching the ‘Taraba Sacks’ to proudly label our produce. With Governor Kefas introducing new agricultural technologies, we will show the country that Taraba is indeed the primary food source.
What are your top priorities for the next few years in terms of poverty alleviation and economic development?
By 2027 and beyond, poverty in Taraba State will be significantly reduced. When people have access to good food, decent housing, healthcare, and quality education, that’s the foundation for a prosperous life. Governor Kefas has taken significant steps to move Taraba out of poverty. Mark my words, Taraba will be a state that offers support to others instead of needing assistance.
That’s an ambitious vision. As one of Governor Kefas’ trusted allies, how would you describe him?
Governor Kefas is a true bulldozer. He is a ‘talk and do’, a leader with a profound sense of humanity. He has nearly eliminated opposition in Taraba and created an environment of unity. He doesn’t want to see any child struggling to get to school or going hungry. He is dedicated to ensuring that parents who served the government receive their deserved gratuities, and he’s committed to providing affordable education to all. To me, he’s a transformative leader, and I consider him a saviour of Taraba State.