Governor Alia sets up ‘Save the Benue Child’ Commission

The Governor of Benue State, Reverend Hyacinth Alia, has called on all stakeholders in the state to join his administration in addressing the challenges facing children in Benue.

Speaking at the opening of the State Steering Committee of the ‘Save the Benue Child’ project on Friday, the Governor called on local communities, government agencies and non-governmental organisations to tackle child trafficking in the state.

The Governor, represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr Fidelis Mnyim
regretted that the Benue child had over the years faced, among other things, lack of quality education and health care.

He said his administration wanted to use the project to collaborate with all stakeholders through community engagement and the provision of support services.

He said: “Today we recognise the stark reality that many children in Benue are facing challenges that no child should ever have to endure.

“From inadequate access to education and health care to the harsh consequences of crisis poverty and neglect, these young lives are at risk. But we also recognize an immense opportunity: an opportunity to create meaningful change and forge a path to hope and opportunity.

“The Save the Benue Child project is not just a response to these challenges; it is also a commitment to action. Our goal is to create a comprehensive support system that addresses the needs of these children holistically.

“We will focus on improving access to quality education, ensuring health and nutrition, identifying and rescuing child victims of trafficking, child exploitation and sexual abuse, providing support services to vulnerable rescued children, prosecuting perpetrators and holding them accountable, raising awareness and sensitizing communities about trafficking and child exploitation and providing the necessary support to ensure their well-being.

The Governor further said: “The government will join forces with local communities, government agencies and non-governmental organizations to ensure that efforts are both impactful and sustainable.

In her speech, the Zonal Coordinator of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Gloria Bai, called on all stakeholders to help save the future of the Benue child.

Ms Bai and the state Attorney General, Fidelis Mnyim, are co-chairs of the Benue Taskforce on Human Trafficking

The NAPTIP commander said the number of traffic incidents in the state is increasing.

Earlier, Ms Mabel Ade, Executive Director of the Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF), said the event marked a pivotal moment in the state’s collective fight against human trafficking.

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