Constituents hails Taraba assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bonzena over his Achievements
By Sanee Yarima, Jalingo
The constituents of the member representing Zing State Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena are overflowing with joy as they applaud him for remarkable achievements in their communities.
The people shared the essence of their rejoicing while speaking to journalists, who were on tour to various communities within Bonzena’s Constituency.
Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena is the current speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly from the Zing Local Government Area of the state.
Bonzena was elected to the Taraba State House of Assembly to represent Zing State Constituency in the 6th Assembly in 2007 and was re-elected to the 7th Assembly (2011), 8th Assembly (2015), 9th Assembly (2019) and 10th Assembly (2023), a testament of good representation.
The tour was aimed at enabling the team of newsmen to see for themselves some of the projects an aide to the speaker claimed that the member had executed across communities in his constituency.
At all the communities visited, people, including women and children, were extremely excited to see journalists in their midst, and community leaders were eager to air their minds.
The investigation began with Tavinkwa, among other communities, including Dopah, Lamma, Dinding, Bitako, Monkin, Zing ‘A’, and Yakoko, which is the hometown of the Speaker.
Coincidentally, the tourist journalists, on Wednesday, 31st December 2025, a few hours before the New Year, met people in some of the communities during a grand celebration, marking the beginning of 2026 with the newly constructed bridges, courtesy of Rt. Hon. Bonzena.
The people of various communities gathered to express their heartfelt gratitude to Rt. Hon. Bonzena for his tireless efforts in bringing development to their area.
The construction of bridges has connected previously isolated communities, making it easier for farmers to transport their produce and for residents to access essential services, according to members of the communities.
During the event, some of the completed bridges were commissioned by the Executive Chairman of Zing, Hon. Davoro Titus, who was represented by his Vice, Hon. Cletus Yohanna, while the Pkanti Lanyuu, who is the Chief of Monkin, His Highness Bitrus Adamu Sajo also commissioned other bridges in Dinding and Lamma, linking many communities under Bonzena’s constituency.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Hon. Yohanna disclosed that the Speaker had done a lot of people-oriented projects and impacted the lives of the people of Zing, citing awards of scholarships to students, employment and empowerment, reconstruction of culverts, construction of corps lodges, among many others, assuring him of their total support come 2027.
In a remark, described Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena is a problem solver, a true servant leader who is dedicated to improving the lives of his constituents.
“These projects are highly commendable. I have never approached him with a problem without having a solution. Recently, he gave me two motorcycles, which I gave two military personnel who are here with us. All we have to say is to thank him and pray for God to continue protecting him and guiding him. May God bless him the more.
“Rt. Hon. Bonzena doesn’t discriminate, whether you are a Muslim or a Christian; he carries everybody along. Therefore, the people of all the benefitting communities and I are happy with these bridges, and we remain grateful. I am calling on my subjects to continue supporting him and let us also reciprocate his gestures when the time comes,” His Highness Sajo added.
Also commenting on the construction of Lamma Bridge, the District Head of the area, Alhaji Usman Tanko described Bonzena’s developmental projects and impactful representation, as the first of its kind in the history of Zing, while the APC chairman of Lamma Ward, Hon. Sale Misa was overwhelmed with the impactful projects executed by Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena and urged him to answer their calls for continuity come 2027.
A Maternity was established at Tunavo, equipped with some facilities, and providing quality healthcare services to the people, while appreciating Bonzena, a community leader, Mr Jimma Victimvo urged him to provide more fertility and drugs, adding that about six (6) neighbouring communities are also benefiting.
The newly constructed examination hall by the speaker is boosting the educational sector, enabling students to sit comfortably to prepare for WAEC, NECO, NABTEC, and other exams, according to Hon. Hammawa Yohanna Musa, who is an SA to Governor Agbu Kefas, describes it as a time-born project that will benefit the unborn generation.
He appealed for more teaching staff to schools in the area.
Rt. Hon. Bonzena’s commitment to education is further evident in the renovation of schools, providing a conducive learning environment for pupils.
The Corps Lodge with a hall of about 100 people capacity, is a welcome relief for young graduates serving in the area, offering them a comfortable place to stay, according to some Corps members, Taibat Halilu from Niger State and Haruna Abdul’aziz from Kebbi State, describing Rt. Hon. Bonzena is a true democrat and nationalist.
“This Corps lodge is one among many, which were constructed by the speaker and named after the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas. The people of Zing and Taraba State as a whole will not benefit from it, but people from other states, like us, are the ones benefiting. Therefore, we must commend Rt. Hon. Bonzena and also appreciate our host community for hospitality. Our only challenge now is water, which we heard that the speaker had promised to address it,” the Corpers testified.
The provision of transformers has brought electricity to some communities, powering homes, businesses, and schools, and transforming the lives of the people, as testified by Markus Minka’ilu, a resident of the Yukwa community and appreciated the speaker for the construction of bridges linking communities and the provision of boreholes, among other social amenities.
“He has listened to our cries and brought development to our doorstep. We are proud to have him as our representative. Before the installation of this transformer, we have to go to Zing Town for granding, charging handsets, and many other vital services. Therefore, we appreciate him so much, and God will continue to uplift him,” Minka’ilu added.
Also, in an interview with newsmen, the Executive Chairman of Zing Local Council, Hon. Davoro Titus said Rt. Hon. Bonzena is a people’s servant, describing him as a role model, whose impactful projects will never be forgotten and pledged their unflinching support for the speaker.
The Chairman reiterated his loyalty to the speaker and promised to join hands with him and the government of Dr Agbu Kefas in providing the dividends of democracy to the people of Zing, urging them to continue supporting the present administration and remain peaceful.
However, during an interface with journalists in Jalingo, the speaker, Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena described himself as a messenger of his constituents, saying that he is doing what they have sent him to do and thanked God for the feedback he had gotten from them, reflecting that they are satisfied with his representation.
The speaker revealed that most of the projects he executed were from the little he was getting and saving, announcing that early this year, the major road to communities would be constructed by the state government, as Governor Agbu Kefas had already promised him.
While revealing his plan to connect other communities with the electricity, Rt. Hon. Bonzena pointed out that presently, he had selected two communities that would soon get solar power supply from the state government and thanked his constituents for their unflinching support and prayers, promising to do more to uplift their living standard.
Rt. Hon. Bonzena’s achievements have brought hope and optimism to the people of his constituency, demonstrating that with effective representation, positive change is possible.
His constituents, who remain appreciative, are also eagerly looking forward to his continued efforts in transforming their community.
