A development advocate has called on retired General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma to champion large-scale investment in cocoa and palm oil production as a pathway to long-term prosperity for Taraba State.

In an open letter on Tuesday written to the former Chief of Army Staff, the Executive Director of the United Homeland Development Initiative (UHDI), Emmanuel Iranyang Yakubu, highlighted what he described as a stark contradiction between Taraba’s vast agricultural potential and the persistent poverty faced by many of its residents.

Taraba State, which, according to him, stretches from the fertile lowlands of the south to the highlands of the Mambilla Plateau, is endowed with extensive arable land suitable for cocoa, palm oil, coffee, and tea cultivation.

“The state is also home to the only tea-producing belt in West Africa, a feature advocates say gives it strategic economic significance beyond Nigeria.

Despite these natural advantages, youth unemployment remains high, while smallholder farmers largely operate without access to structured markets, processing facilities, or export-oriented value chains.

According to Yakubu, communities across the state “sit on wealth they cannot convert into opportunity”, the letter read

Addressing General Danjuma, who is widely regarded as one of Taraba’s most prominent sons and a major philanthropist, the appeal called for “catalytic support” to revive cocoa and palm value chains in the state.

Yakubu pointed to global examples, noting that palm oil transformed Malaysia’s economy, while cocoa has generated enduring wealth across parts of Africa and Latin America.

The appeal emphasised that cocoa and palm plantations are long-term economic assets that can sustain families and communities for generations, while also restoring degraded land and improving climate resilience.

Yakubu argued that even a single foundation-backed pilot project or public endorsement from Danjuma could unlock broader investment, mobilise institutions, and restore hope among young people in the state.

“This appeal is not political. It is generational,” the statement concluded, framing the call as a plea for partnership, mentorship, and strategic backing rather than charity.

General Danjuma has not publicly responded to the appeal at the time of filing this report.

UHDI, described as a youth-led platform of community leaders and climate innovators, is promoting a plan to use cocoa and palm cultivation as engines for youth employment, rural wealth creation, climate-smart land restoration, agro-processing, export growth, and peace-building.