The Benue State Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen child protection mechanisms across the state through deeper collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative, coordinated by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare under the leadership of Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, aims to shield children from violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect and other threats to their wellbeing.
The partnership seeks to improve the capacity of government institutions and community structures to identify vulnerable children, report cases of abuse, facilitate referrals and deliver timely social welfare and protection services. Under the supervision of Commissioner Mrs Theresa Odachi Ikwue, the ministry has continued to work with UNICEF, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and communities to strengthen child protection systems and improve responses to cases involving vulnerable children.
UNICEF has supported the state through capacity building, case management, psychosocial support and community-based child protection interventions, particularly in areas affected by conflict, displacement and insecurity. These efforts have grown more critical as displacement and other humanitarian challenges continue to expose children and families to heightened risks of abuse, exploitation, neglect and other forms of violence.
Commissioner Ikwue has stressed the importance of coordinated, child-centred interventions, urging stakeholders to ensure that cases involving children are handled promptly through established protection and referral channels. She also called for stronger capacity among social workers, frontline personnel, child protection volunteers and community actors so they can identify risks early and respond appropriately.
A central element of the government’s approach is community participation, recognising that effective child protection cannot be achieved by government alone. Parents, caregivers, teachers, traditional and religious leaders, health workers, security agencies, community leaders and civil society organisations are being encouraged to take active roles in preventing abuse and creating safer environments for children. Through UNICEF-supported programmes, community-based actors have been trained and mobilised to strengthen case management, psychosocial support and referral systems for children in need of protection and assistance.
The collaboration further supports wider efforts to strengthen government institutions, social welfare and justice services, while ensuring that children in vulnerable and humanitarian situations can access appropriate preventive and responsive services. For the Alia administration, the partnership represents a strategic investment in Benue’s future, as a functional child protection system is essential for children to grow and develop free from violence, exploitation or neglect.
The state government is expected to sustain and deepen its collaboration with UNICEF and other stakeholders by expanding child protection structures, strengthening referral pathways, improving frontline capacity and increasing community ownership of these initiatives. The overarching goal remains clear: every child in Benue, regardless of background or circumstance, should have access to a safe, supportive and protective environment in which to grow, learn and fulfil their potential.
