By NewsNexus Media | August 14, 2026

The Taraba State Government has constituted the Governor’s Council on Drug Control and Social Renewal as part of efforts to implement the Taraba State Youth Rescue, Recovery and Social Renewal Programme.

The constitution of the Council follows an Executive Order issued by Governor Agbu Kefas on August 2, 2026, establishing the youth-focused programme.

According to a press release signed by the Secretary to the Taraba State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, Esq., the Governor will serve as Chairman of the Council, while the Deputy Governor will serve as Alternate Chairman. The Secretary to the Government of the State will serve as Vice Chairman.

The Council brings together key state government officials, security agencies, regulatory bodies, health professionals, educational institutions, traditional and religious leaders, youth representatives and civil-society organisations.

Among those listed as members are the Commissioners for Health; Justice; Secondary and Vocational Education; Tertiary Education; Nursery and Primary Education; Women Affairs and Child Development; Information; Commerce, Trade and Industry; Heritage and Eco-Tourism; Finance; and Budget and Economic Planning.

The Council will also include the State Security Adviser, Commissioner of Police, State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), State Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service and a representative of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

Health and social intervention professionals are also represented, including the Chief Medical Director of Taraba State Specialist Hospital, a representative of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), a representative of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria or another relevant pharmaceutical regulatory body, as well as a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist or mental-health specialist and a professional social worker or rehabilitation specialist.

The Council further provides for two youth representatives, one of whom must be female, a representative of persons with disabilities, a representative of parents and teachers, and representatives from tertiary institutions across the state.

Traditional and religious institutions will also have representation, with two representatives from the Taraba State Council of Traditional Rulers, as well as representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State Chapter, and the Muslim Council, Taraba State Chapter.

Two representatives of reputable civil-society or community-based organisations working in youth development, public health or substance-abuse prevention will also serve on the Council.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Drug Abuse is included among the members, while the Governor retains the authority to appoint additional persons based on professional competence or institutional relevance.

The establishment of the Council comes against the backdrop of growing concerns over drug abuse, youth vulnerability and social challenges, with the state government positioning the Youth Rescue, Recovery and Social Renewal Programme as a coordinated intervention involving prevention, recovery, rehabilitation and social renewal.

The programme is expected to bring together government institutions and non-governmental stakeholders in addressing issues affecting young people across Taraba State.

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