28/05/2023
BRIEF CITATION OF HIS EXCELLENCY, LT. COL. AGBU KEFAS (RTD) PhD THE 4TH EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF TARABA STATE
His Excellency, Lt. Col. Agbu Kefas (Rtd) PhD the Executive Governor of Taraba State is a highly organised and dedicated individual with vast experience in security management, human capital development and conflict resolution. A team player, who is committed to achieve specific goals and objectives in a timely manner, His Excellency has a matured and responsible approach to issues of leadership and governance, using excellent cutting-edge approaches.
He holds a B.Sc. degree in Political Science and Defense Studies from Nigeria Defense Academy, Kaduna in 1994 and a Maters� degrees in Legal Criminology and Security Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 2005. He holds another Masters of Public Administration (MPA) from Delta State University, Abraka in 2008 and recently bagged a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in Security and Strategic Studies from Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
An Alumnus of Harvard Kennedy School of Government USA, and Oxford University England, His Excellency has done several courses in the two renowned institutions from 2009 to 2018, key among them; Executive Certificate in Public Leadership-Harvard 2018, Driving Governance and Performance- Harvard 2014, as well as Leadership in crisis course.Other courses attended by His Excellency include; Security and Risk Management at Cranfield University, United Kingdom in 2013, Mastering Negotiation: Building Agreements across Boundaries �Harvard 2013, Counter Terrorism, Defense Academy of the United Kingdom, Cranfield University, UK 2010 and Senior Executive Course in National and International Security, Harvard 2009 among others too numerous to mention. His Excellency, Lt. Col. Agbu Kefas (Rtd) PhD served meritoriously in the Nigerian Army for 21 years and voluntarily retired from service on the 4th of December, 2010 with numerous awards of excellence service to his credit. Key among his recognitions in the military include; Forces Service Star (FSS), Passed Junior Staff Course (Pjsc), Passed Staff Course (Psc), United Nations Medal, Golden Jubilee Medal, Chief Military Information Officer�s Commendation for Exceptional Professional Performance (UNAMSIL) and Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) among others.During his years in the military, the brilliant Kefas accomplished a lot and till date, his name rings a bell among his peers in the military in Nigeria. It is on record that he initiated and established the mechanism that reinforced cooperation amongst the police and other security agencies with the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Restore Hope in Niger Delta from 2004-2007. He also spearheaded, negotiated and persuaded top militant leaders to accept the Nigerian Government�s Presidential Amnesty Programme on 4th October, 2009 and was also involved in the engagement and management of over 5000 ex-militants and community youths in the protection of oil facilities in Delta State. Between 2003 and 2009, His Excellency was at various times, commanding officer of intelligence detachment units of the Nigerian Army in Benin, Effurun and Sokoto.A well-travelled man and a security expert of international repute,
His Excellency was the Chairman, Board of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) from 2013 to 2015, Chairman, People�s Democratic Party (PDP), Taraba State from 2020 to 2022 and Member, Nigerian Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI) tasked with the responsibility of rebuilding the North East region, under President Muhammadu Buhari administration. His Excellency, Lt. Col. Agbu Kefas (Rtd) PhD is a member of the following professional bodies; Fellow, Institute of Strategic Management and Leaders (USA), Member, Overseas Security Advisory Council (ASIC), Member, International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), Member, Society for Security Practitioners of Nigeria (SSPN), Member, Oxford and Harvard Alumni Association among others.Today, His Excellency remains one of the finest Nigerian leaders who is well respected, both locally and internationally, and Taraba State will indeed benefit from his wealth of experience as Governor.