Humanitarian Services: UN ready to assist Benue – Schmale
By Bridget Ikyado
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia today Wednesday, 26th July 2023, received the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Dr. Matthias Schmale and his entourage at the old banquet hall, Benue State Government house Makurdi.
Charity Agber,Information Officer,Benue SEMA ,siad the meeting focused on IDPs and resettlement solutions which centres on security and peace building to find a durable solution to the IDPs.
Speaking, Dr. Matthias Schmale stated that United Nations as an organisation, has the mandate to support the Government on its areas of priority and challenges.
He said, the organisation is aware of the herders-farmers clashes in Nigeria which Benue has its ugly share, adding that part of their goal is to build peace across Nigeria and Benue through collaboration.
On the problems of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), he said the UN is aware of the situation and expressed his readiness to assist Benue State Government towards providing a durable solution as well as ensuring that IDPs return to their ancestral homes.
Dr. Schmale commended Governor Alia for taken a bold step to restore hope to Benue people especially the Persons of Concern, noting that the huge expectation on the governor from the Benue people means that their hopes and expectation lied on him.
Responding, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia on behalf of the Government of Benue State warmly welcome the UN delegation.
The Governor described their visit as significant, saying the State highly welcomed UN so as to synegise and expressed his willingness to collaborate with them to build a better Benue state and finding lasting solution to the humanitarian situation.
The Governor lauded the UN on its significant achievement in maintaining global peace as well as commitment to peace building, conflict resolution, providing sustainable development, poverty eradication, global challenges especially the climate change, tackling inequality and ensuring that everyone has access to quality education.
While highlighting the challenges his administration is poised to address especially to return the over 2 million IDPs to their ancestral homes, the governor expressed his determination to provide security, health care and build an enduring peace and called on the UN and humanitarian partners to assist Benue state tackle the huge challenges.
He also highlighted some key areas the State is determine to restore which includes the reviving of Agriculture to provide food security to the people and the nation, empowering the people to be economically self reliance and ensuring that people get access to quality Education and invited the United Nations to assist the State in that regard.
The Governor later lead UN delegation to various IDP camps including, Ichwa (Makurdi), Daudu camp 1 and 2 (Guma)
