By Joy Odor
The Governor of Taraba State, Kefas Agbu on Monday launched the ‘Taravest 2025 Summit initiative’ focused on four cardinal principles, peace and security, agricultural potential, energy and hydro power opportunities, the digital economy and tourism sector.
The Summit with the Theme: Unlocking Taraba State investment Potentials, “Advancing Agriculture, Energy, Mineral and Industrialization (AEMI) for Sustainable Growth” will position the State as a key player in the nation and international investment landscape with a resounding promise to shift Governor Kefas Agbu policies of “Promises to Progress”.
Governor Kefas who disclosed this at the Diplomatic Preparatory Briefing with the members of Diplomatic Corps Community in Nigeria informed that the Summit is aimed at showcasing Taraba’s vast agricultural potential, with 44,000 square kilometers of arable land ripe for investment.
According to him, in the last two years, Taraba State had achieved a remarkable record of zero major security incidents, making it an increasingly stable environment for business growth.
The Governor affirmed that the Summit also served as a platform for Business-to-Government (B2G) and Business-to-Business (B2B) interactions, noting that investors will benefit from high returns, tax holidays, and duty waivers, making Taraba an attractive destination for both local and international businesses.
“The administration has, within a year prior, grown the economy of Taraba state to move the people from poverty to prosperity. Through innovative agricultural policies and support programs, farmers have been empowered to increase productivity and adopt sustainable farming practices.
“This event matters to us because it is the capstone of the President Bola Tinubu Renewable Agenda. That is, the engagement is designed to convert federal interventions into tangible projects, jobs, and enduring partnerships.
“Your Excellencies, please allow me to highlight five strategic (24:38) advantages that make Karabakh uniquely investable. One, the area of peace and security. On our Strategic Security Council, Taraba has recorded zero major incidents in over two years. Two, agriculture.
“We have over 44,000 kilometers square of arable land that are ideal for rice, maize, cassava, and other specialized crops. Three, energy. We have untapped hydropower potentials for the river Benue and solar all over the 168 walls in Taraba State.
“Four, mining. We are rich and we have rich reserves of gold, barite, limestone, lithium, oil, sapphires, monazites, and so many others that will be given to you in due course.
“Awaiting responsible or responsibly managed development.
Five, digital economy and tourism. We have an emerging ICT host, a world-class attraction like the Kachakalgonki National Park. I’m sure some of you have been there.
Your Excellencies, at the Taravest you are expected or you will experience action-oriented panels, policy incentives, PPP frameworks, and priority projects that will be assigned to you. Also, there are guided site visits which involve model farms, exploration zones, and other newly remodeled facilities.
“The structure of the summit is Business-to-Government (B2G) matchmaking and Business-to-Business (B2B) matchmaking. This will be a one-on-one meeting to negotiate MOUs and joint venture agreements.
“The purpose of this one is for investors to gain direct assets to decision-makers, clarify regulatory requirements, and discord public-private partnership opportunities. Also, to facilitate joint venture talks, supply chain linkages, technology transfer, and co-investment arrangements.
“I want to assure you that we have coordinated with the state security services, Nigerian military, Nigerian police, and our traditional rulers and other local security apparatuses. All this, is to guarantee your safety throughout the period of your stay. In the area of logistics and accommodation for those that would like to stay back, we have charter flights to Jalingo. We have reserved conference-grade hotels and 24-hour protocol support.
“In the incentive framework for investors, our recently enacted Investment Incentives Act offers park holidays, duty waivers, and land-use exhibits. This is fully transparent. That will be disclosed when the investors look at all the available incentives and then make decisions alongside those that respond” he stressed.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar assured the Federal Government’s support for the summit, describing TARAVEST as a vital platform for advancing the economic agenda of both Taraba State and Nigeria at large.
Represented by Ambassador Anderson Madubike, Director of Trade and Investment at the Ministry, the Minister affirmed that this summit is timely when the whole world is in need of creating a traveling investment climate through cooperation.
According to him, the Summit signifies a commitment to making Taraba a model of investment and sustainable development for that matter.
He maintained that the Summit also aimed at bringing together high-level national and international stakeholders, the productive and service sectors, under the term, unlocking Taraba investment potentials, advancing agriculture, energy, mining, and industrialization.
“This summit aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Ministry’s 4Ds Diplomacy Framework: Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora,” Madubike said. “TARAVEST provides a golden opportunity for diplomatic missions and international stakeholders to explore the diverse investment prospects in Taraba.”
“There is, therefore, the need for partnership between governments, private soccer players, and civil societies. This significant gathering, therefore, reflects our collective pursuit of development and prosperity, not only for Karabakh State, but indeed for the whole world. I want to express deep appreciation to the members of the Diplomatic Corps for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be here.
“This moment is not just a significant milestone for Taraba State, but for the entire country of Nigeria.We gather here united by a common vision, a vision of economic integration, employment, and sustainable development. Because we all are aware that we are stronger globally. So the world is talking about agriculture and food. I can see fellow citizens looking the way they are looking because they are hungry. So we must wake up and thank God.
“We gather under the shared vision of creating a more prosperous Karabakh by attracting great local and international investors who can bring not only capital, but also expertise, innovation, and network to the great state of Taraba.
“The Summit will additionally serve as a venture platform for investors in the hospitality and tourism industry to explore opportunities that can showcase the beauty of Karabakh by creating new jobs, both in the local economy and indeed in the global economy. It is therefore pertinent to say that the forthcoming Karabakh Summit is relevant to the Mr. Benazir Bhutto’s agenda, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomacy Framework, which are democracy, development, demography, and diaspora.
In this regard, I encourage all diplomatic and consular missions accredited to the federal government of Nigeria to participate in this event which will showcase the beauty of Karabakh. Nigeria will also collaborate among stakeholders.
“We have the opportunity to collaborate among stakeholders, diverse sectors, and international leaders who recognize the importance of strengthening economic ties.
Together, we can transform the world into a shining example of what we can achieve when we unite our peoples to the collective good” he said.
in the meantime, the Chairman of the Main Summit Planning Committee, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, echoed the governor’s points, emphasizing the summit’s focus on key enablers such as regulatory reforms, investor incentives, infrastructure, safety, and policy continuity.
“We’ll let you know the legal and regulatory framework protecting foreign investors in Taraba State. Marrying the law of Nigeria vis-a-vis also the law passed by State House of Assembly and accepted by the government. The other one will be tax incentives. What will be there for the internet investors? What are those incentives in terms of tax relief that will be accruable to them if in the event they decide to invest in Karabakh State? His Excellency will dwell on that.
“Also, how will the state ensure ease of doing business in Karabakh State? That also he will look at. Security and stability.
Given the security challenges in some parts of the northern states, he will tell you what specific measures that he has taken upon adoption of OFIX as it relates to tackling insecurity, not only northeast, but particularly in Karabakh State.
That today, Karabakh State is a safe haven for any investor. He will also dwell on specific opportunities.
The emcee has highlighted that this summit is focusing on four sectors.
That is agriculture, energy, mining, and industrialization. So he’s going to dwell on that aspect so that you will be well informed. Then government commitment and policy continuity. He will also tell you how committed Karabakh State’s current administration is to policy continuity and honoring investment agreements.
Because one of the key things that any investor will be looking at is honoring agreement. To be sure that when he invests, his return on investment will not be approved. So he will also dwell on that. Then partnership and development cooperation. How can development agencies and embassies partner with Karabakh State to cooperate and create programs in line with SDGS and ESG principles? Are there opportunities for technical cooperation, not just investment, but for example, in renewable energy, vocational training, and digital agriculture?
He will also, in addition to what I have enumerated, also let you know that even after the summit, there will be a breakout section that will enable planning of MOUs and finalization in terms of those investors that are coming that will want to start their investments immediately after the summit” he narrated the
