By Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo
Taraba state task force chairman on environmental protection, public safety and deforestation (rtd) Brigadier General Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa has warned that it will no longer be business as usual, insisting that Taraba narrative must change.
Gen. Faransa who dropped the hint while speaking with newsmen during celebration of his 61st birthday anniversary in Jalingo last night said the era of backwardness in the state was over and Tarabans must be ready to support governor Agbu Kefas administration to move the state forward.
While thanking God for his unwavering mercy upon him and family, the general recalled that 36 out-of 107 of his colleagues who joined Nigerian Academy in 1992 have passed-on, while 2 from 4 other course mates of Taraba indigenes just died a few weeks ago and acknowledge God’s hand upon his life without single scratch on his body, hence the celebration.
On secrets behind 61 years’ accomplishments, the task force boss attributed the whole essence to trusting in God, live according to limits of earning, and avoid comparisons to others as hallmarks to witness longer life and appreciated God for not carrying away by materialism as his quest to enrolled into military career in 1992 was nothing but passion.
Asked on why he chose to be with governor Kefas current administration’s dispensation, the General believed it as an act of God.
According to him, more than 15 Taraba army generals were retired from service recently, but governor Kefas considered him to be part of his administration, pointing out that the rare favor accorded him the opportunity to understand what Taraba was all about.
He described governor Kefas as God sent to the state, blessed with intelligence, maturity, hardworking, and transformation and urged Tarabans to shun self-centered attitudes, unpatriotic, corruption and hatred but to join hands together to develop the state with the chief executive.
On a large turnout of people from all walks of life that witnessed the birthday anniversary, the Karim-Lamido born brigadier general revealed his support to the community particularly in the area of sponsoring youths in education, assisting the needy, widows and elderly were all reasons behind the crowd.
Meanwhile, prominent personalities who spoke with our correspondent at the event includes the wife of the celebrant, Mrs. Doraty Bani Faransa, his daughter, Jemimah Faransa, commissioner, waste management and resource innovation, Hon. Bernard Shonzon James, state and national assembly members, legal practitioners, senior citizens and board members of Taraba internal revenue generation and members of diplomats all extoll virtues of an accomplished general who has been a shining example at both community, state and the nation as a whole.
