Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that enhance healthcare delivery and support vulnerable communities across the state. This came during the official handover of humanitarian and reproductive health supplies by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the Government House in Makurdi.
Representing the Governor, Deputy Governor Dr. Sam Ode expressed appreciation to UNFPA and the Government of Japan for their sustained support, particularly in addressing maternal health challenges, gender-based violence, and the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs). He described the reproductive health kits as a lifeline that would significantly improve healthcare services and protect the dignity of women, girls, and vulnerable populations.
The Deputy Governor also welcomed the Japan-funded TICAD initiative, which focuses on digital literacy, economic empowerment, reproductive health services, and gender-based violence prevention. He noted that the intervention aligns perfectly with the administration’s vision of sustainable and people-centered development.
Speaking further, Dr. Sam Ode commended UNFPA for its unwavering partnership with Benue, highlighting the organization’s localization approach that will enable the state to gradually own and sustain development interventions. He praised the agency for its continued support despite the enormous humanitarian burden caused by displacement and insecurity.
UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, Muriel Mafico, stated that her visit aimed at strengthening collaboration with Benue, handing over essential health supplies, and advancing interventions for displaced and vulnerable populations. She reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting the state and announced the commencement of a Japan-supported digital literacy programme for young people. Mafico also disclosed plans to visit the Makurdi Mega IDP Camp and other sites to assess reproductive health and gender-based violence response services.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, described Benue as a humanitarian corridor due to the impact of insecurity. He called for deeper collaboration with UNFPA to strengthen the state’s health system, reduce preventable maternal and child deaths, and expand access to family planning services.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Theresa Odachi Ikwue, commended UNFPA for its impactful interventions and appealed for additional support to train the ministry’s 552 volunteer social workers operating across the 276 wards of the state. She emphasized the need to strengthen grassroots response to gender-based violence and child protection.
The event reinforced the strong partnership between the Benue State Government and UNFPA in promoting quality healthcare, human dignity, and durable solutions for vulnerable communities.
