Good news from Taraba state.

My resolve is to make Gashaka an industrial hub |By Gabriel Omonhinmin | 19 February 2017 | 3:49 am | The Guardian Newspapers

On January 28, 2017, a new Emir, Zubairu Muhammadu Hammangabdo, was installed as the Lamido of Gashaka, after the passage of his father, Alhaji Hammangabdo Muhmmadu Sambo, who reigned for 51 years. Before his installation, the new Emir was the Yerima of Gashaka and a Special Adviser to Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State.

Q: Your late father was on the throne as the Lamido of Gashaka for 51 years. During his reign, there was absolute peace and the major tribes were all happy with him. What structures are you putting in place to ensure the development of Gashaka?

"My father did his best and left the stage with a very loud ovation. Now that the mantle of leadership has fallen on me, I am determined to industrialise Gashaka, by the special grace of Allah. Gashaka is the third in terms of landmass in the whole of Taraba State. We have comparative advantage in the area of agriculture, as our lands are fertile, and we have very friendly weather and no security issues whatsoever here. All these I intend to take advantage of. I will do all within my powers to attract investors to this area of the country, get banks to finance projects at considerable and reasonable rates. These structures are already being put in place."

" During my coronation, I made it very clear that due to the dwindling economy, I will do my very best to make my people take advantage of our agricultural potential to build Gashaka....

In the area of tourism, we have the Gashaka-Gumti National Park (GGNP), which was gazetted from two game reserves in 1991 and is Nigeria’s largest national park. It is located in the eastern province of Taraba and Adamawa to the border with Cameroon. The total area covers about 6, 402km.

Much of the northern GGNP is savannah grassland, while the southern part of the park has a rugged terrain characterised by very mountainous, steep slopes, as well as deep valleys and gorges, and is home to mountain forests. The altitude ranges from about 457 metres (1, 499ft) in the northern flatter corner of the park, up to 2, 419) metres (7, 936 ft.) at Chappal Waddi, (the Mountain of Death). It is Nigeria’s highest mountain in the park’s southern sections.

It is an important water catchment area for the Benue River. There is abundant river flow, even during the markedly dry season. Enclaves for local Fulani pastoralists exist within the park boundary that allow for farming and grazing. I have taken time to shed light on what we have here, so that investors can come and take advantage of them...." Read the rest here; https://guardian.ng/features/lamido-gashaka-emir-zubairu-hammangabdo-my-resolve-is-to-make-gashaka-an-industrial-hub/