By Sylvanus Viashim
Jalingo, Nigeria (PRECISE POST) – President Bola Tinubu has described Taraba State as Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse, stressing its pivotal role in national development and food security.
The President made this assertion during the opening of the inaugural Taraba International Investment Summit (TARAVEST 2025) held in Jalingo on Wednesday.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu said the Federal Government remains a committed partner to the state’s development vision, particularly in unlocking its vast agricultural and mineral resources.
“Taraba is strategic to our national prosperity due to the enormous potentials here,” Shettima said. “Contemporary realities demand a transition from subsistence to mechanised agriculture, and from illegal to advanced mining. The Mambila hydropower project is achievable, and we will do it.”
The summit attracted notable national figures and business leaders, all calling for strategic partnerships to drive investment and inclusive development in the state.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emphasized the importance of investment-friendly policies, stating, “Private investment will establish a foundation for a diverse economy and facilitate growth. Government must guarantee the safety of both investments and investors.”
Africa’s foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, echoed these sentiments, describing Taraba as an untapped gem. “This initiative is in the right direction. Revenue, job creation, and poverty reduction are all possible if these endowments are properly harnessed,” Dangote said. He stressed the importance of domestic investors in attracting foreign interest, urging locals to take the lead.
Business magnate Dr. Tony Elumelu said the summit reinforces Africa’s position as a destination for global investment, while Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama called for religious and ethnic tolerance as a foundation for peace and prosperity in the state.
“Let us make the best of the land God gave us rather than fight over it,” Kaigama advised.
Other dignitaries, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, and a representative of the Ghanaian President, commended the initiative and encouraged the state government to prioritize the needs of local investors as a strategy to draw international capital.
Our correspondent reports that TARAVEST 2025 is the first investment summit organized by Taraba State. The event features exhibitions showcasing the state’s rich resources—including agriculture, mining, and water bodies—as part of efforts to attract both local and foreign investors.
