By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Ardo Media Enterprise, in collaboration with the Taraba State Government, on Friday commenced a two-day retreat for local government chairmen and heads of administration and finance to boost rural development.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ardo Media, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed, disclosed during the opening ceremony in Jalingo that the initiative is aimed at promoting rural development, transparency, accountability, zero tolerance for corruption, and effective administration.
According to him, the retreat is designed to provide valuable opportunities for local government leaders to network, share experiences, and learn from experts in various fields.
“This retreat is aimed at equipping local government chairmen, permanent secretaries, directors, and accountants with essential knowledge to drive development in areas such as education, infrastructure, health, and agriculture, especially in rural communities.
“The two-day retreat is a crucial platform for us to sharpen our skills, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to governance. As leaders, you are the bridge between government and the people, and your effectiveness is critical to ensuring that development is inclusive, sustainable, and visible,” Mohammed stated.
The Ardo Media CEO commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his visionary leadership and commitment to investing in capacity building targeted at transformation.
“I commend the Taraba State Government for its vision in investing in this initiative. The collaboration with Ardo Media demonstrates a shared commitment to empowering leaders, strengthening institutions, and raising the standard of public service.
“Our experiences in Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Niger, and other regions, where we have equipped participants with essential knowledge to drive development in areas such as education, infrastructure, health, and agriculture, have shown that such retreats can serve as a catalyst for change,” Mohammed explained.
Responding, Governor Agbu Kefas said his administration would continue to partner with development organisations to transform Taraba State.
Represented by the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Benjamin Baissa, the governor commended Ardo Media for choosing Taraba as one of the states to benefit from the development-driven initiative, which is poised to strengthen governance and enhance effective service delivery to citizens.
