NUJ awards Chief David Sabo Kente “Philanthropist Man of the year ” amidst calls to rescue Taraba
By our correspondent
It was a jubilation galore with fanfare When Chief (Dr) David Sabo Kente landed at the Danbaba Suntai Airport Jalingo on 17th April to receive Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) award as ” philanthropist Man of the Year”. The reception that occasioned his arrival left no one in doubt that Tarabans now desperately yearn for him to come and steer the affairs of the State as the placards they displayed glaringly refer to him as their next governor.
The assorted placards with different inscriptions ” DSK come and rescue Taraba State “, “2027, DSK is our choice ” “Tarabans yearn for DSK 2027″ and several others, appears to be the resolution of the majority of the people of the state from the Central, northern and southern parts of the state who converged at the Airport.
Tens of thousands of indigenes of Taraba have benefited either directly or indirectly from the generousity of Chief Kente, who recently bagged the NUJ Philanthropist Man of the year award.
Through the DSK foundation, Kente has been able to reach out to people in various spheres of life including health, education, skills acquisition and empowerment, rehabilitation and settlement, bridges and culvets among several others.
The sheer magnitude of his philanthropism and it’s outreach has now made him highly endeared to the people and as successive governments continue to perform abysmally, the calls for him to take over the reigns of power in the State come 2027 are intensifying daily.
Speaking during the Taraba NUJ Press Week to mark 70th years Anniversary in Nigeria at the C to C event centre Jalingo, the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Mathew Elud-Jen disclosed that the awardees who were careful selected have distinguished themselves above board in different facets of life.
” I stand here to tell you that Chief (Dr.) David Sabo Kente who bagged the Philanthropist man of the year Award is an exceptional character whose kind gesture has no boundaries. I wish to declare that we are yet to find his equal in Taraba State.
Ambassador John Musa, the Chairman of the occasion elugisef Chief Kente for his generosity and service to humanity. “DSK Taraba is proud of you ” he said.
A cross section of Tarabans who spoke to our correspondent shortly after the presentation of the Award to Chief Kente in Jalingo all whish the APC Chieftain and Business merchant is given the opportunity to pilot the affairs of the State come 2027.
Hon. Shuaibu Ataka, a former commissioner and APC stalwart, ” with the abysmal performance of the present PDP administration in Taraba State it will be easier for APC to rescue power in 2027 if the party allows Chief David Sabo Kente who enjoys overwhelming support of the people of the state to fly the governorship ticket.”
As you know, the APC has lost consistently in the state because of disagreement among key players over who flys the ticket, If President Tinubu and the party leadership want to rescue power in Taraba for the first time, they should try Chief Kente ” he advised.
On the 3rd of March 2025, when Chief (Dr. ) David Sabo Kente celebrated his 60th Birthday, in Wukari, his country home and Local Government in Taraba State it was was indeed an assembly of who is who in Taraba.
Chief (Dr.) David Sabo Kente, popularly known as DSK, ( born 3rd March 1965) is a Nigerian businessman, politician and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of “DSK Group International Ltd” and an NGO “DSK Foundation”.
No doubt Kente, an accomplished businessman and renowned politician was celebrated for his integrity, brilliance, expertise, charisma and outstanding commitment to philanthropic gesture and kindness to humanity.
According to Mr Orya Clement, an elder stateman, “Chief (Dr.) David Sabo Kente is a rare gem”. A detribalised gentleman, always sounding ebullient, happy and captivating businessman, he is also an APC Chieftain that is endowed with exceptional leadership traits and resilient for positive transformation.
“It is indeed a statement of fact that Kente is an unrepentant apostle of revolutionary change in the nation’s political circle.” He said.
As a respected leader, Kente has made significant impact through his DSK Foundation, which has provided scholarships to hundreds of students, donations to orphanages, and supported the less privileged in society.
His philanthropic work has earned him several awards, including the “Ambassador of Peace and Societal Development” and “Icon of Humanitarian Services” by the Taraba State Students Union, besides the NUJ Philanthropist Man of the year, among several others.
Recently, he was conferred with honourary doctorate degree by the Kwararafa University Wukari during the university’s second and combined convocation ceremony at the main campus in Wukari, Taraba state. It was a momentous occasion that celebrated the achievements of Kente and his immense contributions to the society.
Kente who worked with the National Assembly Service Commission before retirement, has businesses spread across the state and beyond where thousands are gainfully employed.
He was the candidate of SDP in the 2015 Taraba State Gubernatorial election where he gave the PDP candidate Darius Ishaku a run for his money. He however lost to Ishaku and later joined the All Progressives Congress in 2016. DSK aspired for the number one seat of Taraba State under APC in 2023 but again lost the ticket to Senator Emmanuel Bwacha in a controversial circumstances that ended in court.
He once served as a member of the North-east Development Commission (NEDC) where he was the chairman Board of Trustees of its Education Endowment Fund.
As the race for 2027 approaches and the APC is working to put their house together, calls for Kente to join the race continue to thicken.
Alhaji Uba Maigari, minister of State Regional Development recently told journalists that the APC is poised to take over Taraba State in 2027.
According to Maigari “the only thing that has stopped the APC from taking over Taraba all this while is just internal wranglings. I think most of us have realised that now and have resolved to work together for our common good. As we speak, I am one of the leaders of the party in the State and I have already resolved that I will not contest for anything. Instead, I will ensure that things are done right and everyone is provided with a level playing field so that whoever emerges as the candidate of the party will be generally accepted and the rest of us will team up to grant the party victory”.
What may pose as only challenge ahead of Chief David Sabo Kente will be securing the ticket of the party since he is from Wukari Local government, same as the incumbent governor Agbu Kefas.
The people of the Central and Northern zones may not be willing to have another person from the Southern zone taking over the reigns of power in the State with the tendency of running for another Eight years. Already the zone is holding the reigns for 12 years by 2027. Consequently, if Governor Agbu Kefas is to run for a second tenure, it will come to 16 consecutive years.
However, if Kente is to take over and run for Two tenures, that will come to 20 consecutive years while the North and Central zones watch.
However, with the level of disenchantment and disappointment with the present administration in the State, most people will prefer a replacement, someone who has been on ground with the people and knows their problem and the available opportunities.
Kente does not only fit the profile but has equally warmed his way into the hearts of the people and is considered highly detribalised and seeing to understand how to deal with situations as they arise. As such, the people may look beyond zoning and go for who will actually deliver
