Echo Express News

06/09/2026

Taraba Nursing College Graduates 930, Moves to Commence BNSc Programme

06/09/2026

He Came to Taraba for NYSC, Found a Career and a Wife

By HilaryJohn, Jalingo

When Cosmas Ogochukwu arrived in Taraba State as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, he came with little idea of what the new environment would hold for him.

Years later, the journey has given him more than he may have imagined: a career at Zenith Bank, Jalingo, and a wife.

Cosmas celebrated his marriage to Juliet Mmesoma Aloysius at a reception held on September 5, 2026, at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, Mile Six, Jalingo, Taraba State.

Speaking to Echo Express shortly after the reception ceremony, Cosmas recalled his first experience of coming to Taraba after spending more than 20 years of his life in the eastern part of Nigeria.

“I came as a youth corps member. Coming to Taraba, a new location, was a new adventure and a new opportunity. I did not know what would become of me, but thank God for the journey so far,” he said.

What started as an NYSC posting eventually became a career opportunity. Cosmas said he was retained by Zenith Bank after completing his service and is now a Senior Executive Assistant at the bank’s Jalingo operation.

But the biggest change in his life came with marriage.

Reflecting on the transition from single life to marriage, Cosmas acknowledged that his new status comes with greater responsibility and commitment.

“When I was single, I had my liberty to associate, especially with other genders. But now that I am married, it is not going to be the same. I am only going to see one woman for the rest of my life,” he said.

He admitted that the journey ahead would not always be easy, but said he was looking to God for the grace to navigate married life.

“I am anticipating the journey ahead. It is not easy. I am only asking the Holy Spirit to give me the grace to see through the journey,” he said.

His joy was heightened by the massive turnout at the reception, which he said exceeded his expectations despite the weather.

“The rain could not stop them. The sun could not stop them. The heat could not stop them. Nothing that came today was able to stop them,” he said.

“I actually danced today with so much excitement because of the turnout. The turnout was massive. I didn’t expect it this much, but they actually turned out. They came heavily for me. I am overwhelmed.”

For Idris Bashir, a manager who represented Cosmas’s Zonal Head at the occasion, the groom’s story is also one of hard work and growth.

Bashir recalled Cosmas’s early days as an NYSC corps member, describing him as hardworking, resilient, patient, confident and willing to learn.

“It is one thing to want to teach somebody. It is also another thing for the person to want to learn. So Cosmas has demonstrated the ability to learn,” Bashir said.

He said Cosmas was eventually absorbed into the organisation, had his appointment confirmed and was promoted twice.

“He has been promoted two times since he joined the system. You can see that he is truly a hardworking gentleman,” he said.

But Bashir’s message to Cosmas on his wedding day went beyond his professional achievements.

He urged the newly married couple to approach marriage with understanding, stressing that disagreements were inevitable.

“This is the union of two imperfect people, so a lot of understanding is required for them to be able to stay together,” he said.

Bashir advised them to listen to each other, understand their different perspectives and resolve their problems together rather than involving third parties.

Jerome Isaac Maduforo, a member of the Abia State Youth organisation and its Assistant Secretary, also congratulated the couple and urged them to take the responsibility of building their home seriously.

Speaking from his experience as a father of seven, Maduforo advised Cosmas to prepare for the challenges of marriage and remain committed to his family.

Speaking on behalf of the groom’s family, Mr James also urged Cosmas to embrace responsibility and build his family in the knowledge and fear of God.

For Cosmas, the journey that began with an NYSC posting in an unfamiliar state has now become a story of unexpected possibilities.

He came to Taraba as a corps member, built a career at Zenith Bank and, on September 5, stood before family, friends and well-wishers as a husband.

06/09/2026

“Let Compassion Guide Your Practice,” Bonzena Tells New Nurses

By HilaryJohn, Jalingo

The Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, has urged newly graduated nurses of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, to make compassion, patience and integrity central to their professional practice.

Bonzena, who represented Governor Agbu Kefas at the second combined convocation ceremony of the institution, congratulated the 930 graduands and commended the state government for its investment in nursing education.

He reminded them that nurses occupy a critical position in the healthcare system, serving as a vital link between doctors, patients and their relatives.

“You must learn to tolerate. You must learn to show love. You must learn to show compassion,” Bonzena told the graduands.

He urged them to remain patient when dealing with patients and their relatives, noting that illness could sometimes affect a patient’s behaviour.

The Speaker also encouraged them to maintain good working relationships with doctors, patients and relatives, stressing the importance of understanding and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Bonzena said the graduation would further strengthen Taraba’s healthcare workforce, noting that the state had previously depended on nurses from outside to meet some of its manpower needs.

He commended the state government, governing council, management, lecturers and other staff for their contributions to training the new professionals.

He urged the graduands to put their training into practice and uphold the values of the nursing profession as they begin their careers, saying their conduct would be important to the quality of care received by patients across the state.

03/09/2026

Think Before You Share: Your Voice Has Power

As a young person, you are not just consuming information; you are also creating, sharing, distributing and influencing it.

Every message you forward, every post you share and every comment you make can shape the digital environment around you. You have the power to make your voice count.

When you share information, you help it reach new audiences. You can use that power to spread useful and accurate information, promote peace and unity, support your community and encourage positive change.

But the same power can also be misused. Without checking the facts, you may unintentionally spread false information, amplify hate speech, create panic or cause confusion.

Before you share, stop and think:

- Is this information true?
- Is it helpful?
- Could it cause harm?
- Am I contributing to peace or creating conflict?

Think before you click. Think before you share. Use your digital voice responsibly.

03/09/2026

ACReSAL Trains LG Project Committees on Effective Project Management

By our Reporter

The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has commenced a three-day capacity-building workshop for members of Local Government Project Management Committees (LGPMCs) in Taraba State.

The workshop, which began on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, is being held at Shield Hotel, Jalingo, to strengthen the capacity of committee members to effectively manage and implement ACReSAL projects at the local government level.

While flagging off the programme, the ACReSAL Project Coordinator in Taraba State, Dr. Clement Yakubu Giwa, called on participants to work together and resolve their differences to improve the implementation of ACReSAL activities across the state.

Giwa said Taraba had previously lagged behind in development programmes but had made progress through the cooperation of stakeholders.
“Before now, we were a lagging state, but with your cooperation, we have moved forward,” he said.

He said the project was impacting lives in communities across the state, describing the development as a source of joy.
Giwa urged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the training in their respective local government areas and share it with other stakeholders.

“By the time this three-day workshop is over, I want to believe you are not going to be the same again,” he said.

He explained that ACReSAL was not limited to tree planting but also focused on environmental protection and improving people's lives.

“That is why we have chosen the slogan: ‘Greening the environment and saving lives,’” he said.

The coordinator urged participants to actively engage in the training and cascade the knowledge acquired to other stakeholders and community members.

30/08/2026

UMCN: Akila Hamman Calls for Girl-Child Protection

By Hilary John, Jalingo

The United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) has called for stronger protection of the girl child as part of efforts to curb substance abuse, sexual exploitation and violence among youths.

Revd. Abainitus Akila Hamman Jr., Director of Leadership Development and Youth Ministries, made the call at a training workshop on substance abuse and related violence among youths and teenagers held at the United Methodist Church, Mayo-Gwoi, Jalingo.

The workshop, held on Saturday, August 29, was organised by the UMCN Episcopal Area and its Mission Districts of Cameroon, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.

Hamman said the programme was designed to help young people stay away from drugs and related violence while equipping them to educate others in their communities.

He said the initiative was also aimed at reducing substance abuse among youths and developing peer educators who would take the message to local churches and communities.

“At the end of this programme, we want to reduce the prevalence of the use of substance and drugs among young people in our churches and society,” Hamman said.

He explained that the training was a step-down programme, noting that some participants had previously received training in Monrovia and were expected to transfer the knowledge to other districts and churches.

Hamman identified peer pressure, curiosity, family problems, trauma, abuse, poverty, unemployment, negative friendships and social media influence among factors that could expose young people to substance abuse.

He warned that drug abuse could contribute to poor academic performance, school dropout, addiction, violence, crime and unsafe sexual behaviour.

He said girls and teenage girls faced additional risks, including sexual exploitation, gender-based violence, trafficking, r**e, unwanted pregnancy and online exploitation.

“Every girl has the right to grow in a safe environment, receive education, develop her talents, make responsible choices and fulfil her God-given purpose,” he said.

Hamman urged parents, churches and communities to create safe spaces where girls could speak about abuse, harassment and emotional challenges without fear of blame or stigma.

He stressed that victims of abuse should not be blamed, but protected, supported and referred to appropriate professional help.

He also encouraged youths to embrace education, sports, creative arts, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, technology, mentoring and other positive activities as alternatives to substance abuse.

Hamman called on churches to strengthen youth mentorship, counselling, trauma support and leadership development while working with relevant health and social service professionals.

He said substance abuse was not only a drug problem but a health, family, social, economic and community challenge requiring collective action.

He urged young people to reject drugs, violence and exploitation and embrace positive friendships, education, faith and purposeful living.

30/08/2026

UMCN Trains Youth Leaders to Tackle Drug Abuse in Taraba

By Hilary John, Jalingo

The United Methodist Church Nigeria (UMCN) has intensified its campaign against drug and substance abuse among young people, with a call for greater advocacy, counselling, rehabilitation and skills acquisition to address the growing problem.

The call was made during a youth-focused training and advocacy programme on drug and substance abuse held at the UMCN Mayo-Gwoi, Jalingo.

The programme was organised by Faith Beyond Religious Nationalism (FBRN), Washington, DC, USA, in collaboration with the Office of the Bishop, United Methodist Church Nigeria Episcopal Area.

Speaking during the programme, the Principal of FBRN, Dr. Christie Neal, described drug abuse as a serious social and public health problem that requires collective action rather than stigmatisation.

Neal said advocacy should focus on holding drug producers and distributors accountable while encouraging government to take stronger action against those profiting from substance abuse.

“This is a plague. It is a disease,” she said, stressing that people struggling with drug addiction should be treated with compassion and given access to appropriate treatment and counselling.

He called for the expansion of similar programmes across Taraba State and Nigeria, saying the church was well positioned to play a leading role in the campaign.

Neal said shaming people who abuse drugs would not solve the problem, adding that communities must work together to support those affected and prevent others from becoming victims.

Also speaking, Rev. Abainitus Akila Hamman, Director of Youth Ministries and Leadership Development, said the programme was initiated based on the vision of the UMCN Bishop, Bishop Ande Emmanuel, to prepare young people for a better future.

According to him, the bishop believes strongly in youth development and leadership training because young people would eventually take over leadership responsibilities in the church and society.

He said the programme was organised in collaboration with the West African Regional Church Council to help young people avoid drug and substance abuse and other forms of violence.

Hamman said one of the major objectives was to reduce the prevalence of drug and substance abuse among young people in churches and communities.

He explained that the participants were being trained as peer educators who would return to their churches and communities to educate others.

“What we are doing here is a step-down training,” he said, explaining that some church leaders had earlier travelled to Monrovia for similar training before bringing the knowledge back to Nigeria.

He said the programme would subsequently be extended to districts and local churches.

Rev. Salisu Waziri, Drugs Desk Officer of UMCN, said the programme was deliberately designed as a “train-the-trainers” initiative, explaining that the number of participants was limited because they were expected to take the message to a wider population.

Waziri said the growing problem of drug and substance abuse in Nigeria required urgent action from government, religious organisations and other stakeholders.

He said the church decided to support government efforts because the government alone could not successfully tackle the problem.

According to him, the church was also working with relevant agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Ministry of Health, to provide counselling, rehabilitation and other forms of support.

Waziri said the church’s intervention goes beyond educating young people about the dangers of drugs, as it also provides opportunities for skills acquisition.

He said the UMCN Drugs Desk has a skills acquisition centre where young people are trained in areas such as shoemaking, solar installation, CCTV installation, hairdressing and fashion designing.

He explained that providing young people with skills and opportunities could help reduce idleness and unemployment, which he identified as some of the factors that could expose young people to drug abuse.

Waziri said the church also planned to identify people already struggling with drug abuse, counsel them without discrimination and refer them to appropriate rehabilitation services where necessary.

“We want to identify those who are already into drugs without stigmatising or condemning them, show them the love of Jesus Christ and give them orientation on why they need to stay off drugs,” he said.

Waziri explained that overcoming addiction was a gradual process and required psychological and social support.

He said the church’s partnership with the NDLEA and the Ministry of Health would enable trained personnel to assist people who require specialised treatment and rehabilitation.

Waziri appealed to young people, particularly those in Taraba State, to take advantage of opportunities provided through the church’s programmes.

He urged young people to take responsibility for their future and avoid drug abuse, while also calling on communities to stop stigmatising people struggling with addiction.

He said drug addiction was a condition that required support, encouragement and professional intervention, adding that recovery was possible when affected persons received the right help.

One of the participants, Kevin Maxine, said the training would be taken to other parts of the church through a step-down approach.

He said leaders who had received similar training would pass the knowledge to other participants, districts, churches and youth groups.

Another participant, Melody Dalhatu Danzaria, described the programme as an eye-opener for young people.

Danzaria said many youths were already suffering from drug addiction and its effects were being felt in families, workplaces and communities.

She said participants at the training represented those who were unable to attend and would be expected to share the knowledge with other young people.

She added that the programme had helped participants better understand the different ways people could become involved in drug abuse, sometimes without realising it.

Danzaria said the training would enable participants to identify drug-related problems and educate others in their communities.

29/08/2026

TSESA Warns Jalingo Residents Against Rearing Animals in City

By Hilary John, Jalingo

The Taraba State Environmental Sanitation Agency (TSESA) has warned residents of Jalingo against rearing dogs and other animals within the city, saying the practice is prohibited under the state’s environmental laws.

The Chairman of TSESA, Iliya Kefas Alhaji, gave the warning on Saturday during the monthly sanitation exercise in Jalingo.

Alhaji said the prohibition was contained in the state’s environmental laws approved by the Taraba State House of Assembly and assented to by the state government.

He said TSESA had been sensitising residents on the policy for about four months and would intensify enforcement to ensure compliance.

According to him, the enforcement is part of efforts to achieve the administration’s vision of a “Greener Taraba” and give Jalingo a cleaner and healthier environment.

He warned that residents who violate the regulation would face sanctions, urging them to properly keep their animals and avoid rearing them within residential areas and other parts of the city.

Alhaji also called for greater cooperation from residents, shop owners, commercial riders and other members of the public, saying environmental sanitation requires collective responsibility.

He commended residents for their cooperation during Saturday’s exercise, noting that the level of compliance had improved.

The chairman said TSESA was also addressing blocked waterways and unhygienic conditions in some parts of Jalingo.

He explained that structures obstructing the free flow of water could contribute to flooding and other environmental challenges, stressing the need for residents and relevant government agencies to work together to keep the city clean.

At Mile Six Roundabout during the exercise, the chairman of the local hunters’ group raised concerns over the alleged conduct of some security personnel.

He alleged that some armed security personnel who were not in uniform forced open a gate and drove through the area, while also allowing other vehicles to pass.

The hunters’ chairman questioned the example being set when security personnel allegedly disregard rules that residents are expected to obey during the sanitation exercise.

The incident underscores the importance of government officials and security personnel leading by example in enforcing government regulations.

Speaking during the exercise, Rev. Angopanku Reuben Bulus, a pastor with the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN), commended the state government and sanitation workers for their commitment to keeping Jalingo clean.

Bulus described the exercise as commendable and urged residents to make cleanliness a personal responsibility by keeping their homes, toilets and surroundings clean.

He appealed to residents and commuters to stop littering public places and properly dispose of their waste.

According to him, a dirty environment could expose residents to diseases, making it necessary for people to maintain cleanliness both at home and in public places.

Bulus also urged the state government to provide TSESA with the necessary equipment and support to enable the agency perform more effectively.

Meanwhile, Jummai Hamza Peter, a resident interviewed during the exercise, said she was initially unaware of the sanitation exercise but became pleased after seeing the activities.

“I wasn't aware of the exercise, but when I came out and saw it, I was happy. It is good to do this. As good citizens, we have to obey the directives of the government. This is not for one person, nor is it only for the government,” she said.

Also speaking, Sani Ahmad, a tricycle rider in Jalingo, called on other tricycle operators to comply with the sanitation exercise.

“Today is the day set aside for this exercise. I call on other tricycle riders to obey and support the sanitation exercise,” Ahmad said.

The interviewees urged residents to continue supporting the sanitation exercise, stressing that keeping Jalingo clean is a shared responsibility.

27/08/2026