By Sani Yarima, Jalingo
The newly appointed Executive Chairperson of the Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB), Mrs. Christy Taninga, has vowed to transform the board into one of Nigeria’s best.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony at the board’s conference hall in Jalingo on Monday, March 3, 2025, Mrs. Taninga assured stakeholders that her administration would prioritize teacher welfare, including promotions, refresher courses, and timely salary payments.
“I want our teachers to be educated, as their knowledge is essential for shaping the minds of our pupils. Secondly, I want our teachers to be happy because dissatisfaction related to promotions or salaries can negatively affect their interactions with pupils,” she stated.
She emphasized that Governor Agbu Kefas’ commitment to education would be instrumental in achieving these goals, urging teachers and stakeholders to take their responsibilities seriously.
“There is what we call a transfer of expression. So, once teachers are not happy, they will end up beating the pupils,” she added.
Mrs. Taninga, an experienced educator, was accompanied by three newly appointed permanent members: Ambassador Musa John (PM-I), Dr. Zakariya John (PM-II), and Alhaji Aminu Jika (PM-III). She commended their expertise and pledged to work closely with them to implement policies that would improve the learning environment across the state.
Reaffirming her commitment to Governor Kefas’ free education agenda, Mrs. Taninga assured the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state of her determination to work collaboratively to ensure quality education for all children.
She also expressed gratitude to the governor for entrusting her with the responsibility of leading the board, promising to uphold his vision for an improved education sector.
Earlier, the outgoing Acting Chairperson, Mrs. Rabi Sunday, expressed appreciation to Governor Kefas for the opportunity to serve in an acting capacity. She highlighted key achievements during her tenure, including school construction and renovation, provision of learning materials, teacher capacity-building programs, and securing the board’s inclusion in the state budget.
However, she acknowledged persistent challenges such as inadequate office space, insufficient funding, a shortage of teachers, particularly in rural areas, and the need for improved monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
“I am optimistic that under Mrs. Taninga’s leadership, these challenges will be addressed,” Mrs. Sunday said, pledging her support and that of the board’s staff to the new leadership.
Permanent members of the board, Alhaji Aminu Jika, Dr. Zakariya John, and Ambassador Musa John, also reiterated their commitment to Governor Kefas’ vision. They pledged to work collectively to ensure that quality education is accessible to all children in the state, aligning with the free education policy.
As Mrs Taninga assumes office, she shoulders the responsibility of overseeing the education of approximately 1.15 million pupils enrolled in public schools across Taraba’s sixteen local government areas. Her leadership will be pivotal in shaping the future of basic education in the state.