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His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State, met with the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Gautier Mignot, in Abuja to explore new avenues for cooperation. The meeting underscored the EU’s steadfast support and Benue’s economic potential amid ongoing challenges.
Governor Alia expressed gratitude for the EU’s assistance during difficult times, particularly following recent attacks in Yelwata and Naka. He commended the EU’s solidarity, demonstrated through visits and aid. The governor also praised the EU’s decision to include Benue in the Durable Solutions of the Sustainable Urban Integration of Displaced Populations in Northern Nigeria (SIDPIN) Programme, launched on September 11, 2025. This €1.1 million initiative, facilitated by UNHCR, IOM, and UN-Habitat, was warmly received as a strong signal of partnership that Benue will not forget.
Additionally, Alia acknowledged the EU’s support through UNICEF for social protection programs, registering vulnerable families in Benue’s initiatives. He also appreciated ECHO’s swift €500,000 contribution via IOM, addressing the urgent needs of newly displaced families with livelihoods, multipurpose cash, WASH, and shelter repairs, bringing dignity to those who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods overnight.
Addressing security realities, Alia highlighted the challenges faced, especially with new IDPs in Yelwata and Naka, where thousands of families are grieving. He emphasized the importance of peacebuilding and reconciliation, advocating for collaboration with various partners and technical expertise at every level. On Benue’s economic potential, he noted the state’s richness in agriculture, infrastructure, and industrial capabilities, envisioning a transformation from a “food basket” struggling with conflict to a pillar of stability and economic growth in Nigeria and beyond.
The governor invited the EU Ambassador and his team to visit Benue soon to witness the state’s progress and guide future recommendations. This meeting, coordinated by Asortar James Asortar, Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Media, marks a significant step toward a brighter future for Benue’s people.
Source: Asortar James Asortar, October 2, 2025
