Alia criticizes lack of health care and education, sets up Save the Benue Child Committee

August 17 (THEWILL) – Governor Hyacinth Alia has inaugurated the state steering committee of the “Save the Benue Child” project to combat child trafficking in the state.

Speaking at the ceremony in Makurdi on Friday, the governor said the child in Benue has been facing serious challenges in the past few years, stressing that all efforts should be made to change the negative narrative.

Represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim, Governor Alia listed the challenges faced by Benue children, including lack of quality education, health care and nutritional deficiencies.

He said the state government plans to use the project to collaborate with all stakeholders, through community engagement, involvement and provision of support services.

“Today we acknowledge the stark reality that many children in Benue face 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.”

The governor said these young lives are at risk, but we also see a tremendous opportunity to create meaningful change and create a path to hope.

“The ‘Save the Benue Child’ project is not just a response to these challenges, it is also a commitment to action. The aim is to create a comprehensive support system that responds holistically to the needs of these children.”

He assured that his government will focus on activities such as improving access to quality education, ensuring health and nutrition, identifying and rescuing children who have fallen victim to trafficking, child exploitation and sexual abuse and providing support services to vulnerable rescued children.

Other goals include prosecuting perpetrators and holding them accountable, raising awareness and sensitizing communities about human trafficking and child exploitation, and providing the necessary support to ensure their well-being.

The government, he said, would work with local communities and non-governmental organizations to ensure that efforts are both impactful and sustainable.

Earlier, Ms. Mabel Ade, Executive Director of Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF), said the event was a pivotal moment in the collective fight against human trafficking. According to her, the aim of AAF was to tackle the scourge of human trafficking in the communities of Benue.

She said that as the anchor organization of USAID-Palladium’s Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE), CTIP Cluster, the foundation is committed to advocating for strong legislative measures against human trafficking.

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

She indicated that the number of human trafficking cases in the state is increasing.

Mnyim is the chairman of the Benue Taskforce on Human Trafficking and is responsible for leading the state’s efforts to curb the ugly trend in the state. Bai is the co-chairman.