August 17, (THEWILL) – Governor Hyacinth Alia has inaugurated the State steering committee of the “Save the Benue Child” project to mitigate child trafficking activities in the State.
At the ceremony in Makurdi on Friday, the governor said the Benue child has faced serious challenges over the years and stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to change the negative narrative.
Represented by Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim, Governor Alia listed issues being faced by Benue child to include, including lack of quality education, healthcare and nutritional deficit among others.
He said the state government is planning to use the project to collaborate with all stakeholders, through community outreach, engagements and provision of support services.
“Today, we acknowledge the stark reality that many Children in Benue are faced with challenges that no child should ever endure. From inadequate access to education, and healthcare, to the harsh impacts of crisis, poverty and neglect”.
According to the governor, these young lives are at risk, but we also recognise an immense opportunity to effect meaningful change and to forge a path towards hope.
“The ‘Save the Benue Child’ project is not just a response to these challenges, it is also a commitment to action. The goal is to create a comprehensive support system that addresses the needs of these children holistically”.
He assured of his administration’s willingness to focus on activities such as improving access to quality education, ensuring health and nutrition, identifying and rescuing child victims of human trafficking, child exploitation, and sexual abuse and providing support services for vulnerable rescued children.
Others are, prosecuting perpetrators and holding them accountable, raising awareness and sensitising communities on human trafficking and child exploitation and providing the necessary support to safeguard their well-being.
Government, he stated, would join forces with local communities and non-governmental organisations to ensure that efforts are both impactful and sustainable.
Earlier, Mrs Mabel Ade, Executive Director, of Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF), said the event was a pivotal moment in the collective fight against human trafficking, saying AAF was aimed at mitigating the scourge of trafficking from Benue communities.
She said the Foundation, as the anchor organisation of the USAID- Palladium’s Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE), CTIP Cluster, was dedicated to advocating for strong legislative measures against trafficking.
In her remarks, the Zonal Coordinator of, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs Gloria Bai, said the agency needed all stakeholders to help save the future of the Benue child.
She disclosed that the number of trafficking incidents has been on the rise in the State.
Mnyim is the State Chairman of, The Benue Taskforce on Human Trafficking saddled with the responsibility of leading the state efforts at mitigating the ugly trend in the state, while Bai is the Co-Chairman.
