By Ben Adaji
Jalingo, Taraba State – April 17, 2025
Chief (Dr.) David Sabo Kente was on Thursday honoured by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Taraba State Council, as the Philanthropist Man of the Year during its Press Week marking the NUJ’s 70th anniversary in Nigeria.
Kente arrived at the Danbaba Suntai Airport in Jalingo to a rousing welcome by supporters who displayed placards with inscriptions such as “DSK, Come and Rescue Taraba,” and “DSK 2027,” calling on him to contest the governorship election in 2027.
The event, held at the C2C Event Centre in Jalingo, drew dignitaries from across the state. NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Mathew Elud-Jen, described Kente as a “rare and exceptional individual whose philanthropic gestures have touched lives across Taraba and beyond.”
“Kente has no equal in terms of commitment to humanity and selfless service,” Elud-Jen stated during the award presentation.
Chief Kente, a renowned businessman and APC chieftain, is the founder of the DSK Foundation, which has implemented numerous projects in health, education, skills acquisition, and rural development. The foundation has also provided scholarships, constructed bridges, and supported the less privileged.
Ambassador John Musa, who chaired the occasion, commended Kente’s continued support for community development, describing him as “a pride of Taraba.”
Several APC stakeholders at the event expressed support for Kente’s potential candidacy in the 2027 governorship election. Hon. Shuaibu Ataka, a former commissioner, noted that Kente’s widespread popularity could help the APC secure victory in Taraba, provided internal party disputes are resolved.
“The APC has repeatedly lost in Taraba due to internal disagreements. If the party fields Kente, it has a strong chance of winning,” Ataka said.
Kente, who turned 60 on March 3, 2025, celebrated his birthday in Wukari, attracting prominent figures from across the state. A former National Assembly Service Commission official, he also served as Chairman, Board of Trustees, North-East Development Commission’s Education Endowment Fund.
He contested the 2015 governorship election under the SDP before joining the APC in 2016. He was a key aspirant in the 2023 APC primaries but lost the ticket to Senator Emmanuel Bwacha amid controversy.
Despite zoning concerns—Kente hails from the same Southern Zone as incumbent Governor Agbu Kefas—supporters argue his track record and grassroots appeal may override regional sentiments.
Elder statesman, Mr. Orya Clement, praised Kente’s leadership qualities, describing him as “a detribalized and transformational leader” with the capacity to address the challenges facing Taraba.
With growing dissatisfaction over the current administration’s performance, political observers believe the 2027 elections could shift in favour of a candidate with proven humanitarian credentials—qualities many believe Chief David Sabo Kente embodies.
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