Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has said many Nigerian youths who appear mentally distressed are not insane but are being pushed to the edge by the harsh socio-economic conditions confronting them.
The governor made the remark on Thursday in Jalingo during the unveiling of the Taraba Youth Development Agency Road Map (2026–2031) and the first phase of the Taraba Youth Empowerment Programme, an initiative designed to provide financial grants to young entrepreneurs across the state.
Kefas said his administration would continue to prioritise youth development, stressing that societies that neglect their young people risk creating serious challenges for the future.
He also announced an increase in the financial grant for beneficiaries under the second phase of the programme, raising the support from ₦500,000 to ₦1 million per beneficiary. The next phase is scheduled to begin in September 2026.
“I have passionate feelings about the youths, whenever I see them moving around, our youths are not mad, is only the condition around them that is driving them crazy, we must move away from engaging youths for negative aspects and empower them with better opportunities to become useful to the our society now and in the future.
“Just like I have emphasize, we are going to improve from the 2nd phase of this youth empowerment program from N500,000 per youth to N1,000,000 when the second phase commence next month, you the beneficiaries, ensure to make good use of the opportunity giving to you so that you can also empower other youths under your entrepreneurship.”
The governor urged beneficiaries to invest the grants wisely, noting that successful businesses would create employment opportunities and help other youths become self-reliant.
Earlier, Chairman of the Taraba State Youth Development Agency, Hon. Gara Nongha, said beneficiaries for the first phase were selected from the state’s three senatorial districts.
According to him, the beneficiaries include persons living with disabilities, less-privileged youths, entrepreneurs and artisans.
Nongha explained that each beneficiary would receive a ₦500,000 grant to establish or expand business activities, describing the initiative as part of the state government’s broader commitment to youth empowerment and economic development.
