Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has inaugurated the state steering committee of “Save the Benue Child” project to mitigate child trafficking in the state.
This followed the serious challenges the Benue child has been facing over the years.
Performing the ceremony in Makurdi, Governor Alia appealed that all hands must be on deck to change the narrative.
A statement by the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Bridget Tikyaa said the Governor was represented by Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim.
According to the statement, Alia said the Benue child has being facing issues ranging from of lack of quality education, healthcare, nutritional deficit among others.
The statement revealed that Mnyim is the State Chairman, Benue Taskforce on Human Trafficking and was saddled with the responsibility to lead the state efforts at mitigating the ugly trend in the state.
The state government, the statement continued, planned 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, healthcare, to the harsh impacts of crisis, poverty and neglect. These young lives are at risk, but we also recognise an immense opportunity to effect meaningful change and to forge a path towards hope”, it said.
Alia informed that the “Save the Benue Child” project was not just a response to these challenges, it is also a commitment to action as he insisted that the goal was to create a comprehensive support system that addresses the needs of these children holistically.
“We will focus on activities such as improving access to quality education, ensuring health and nutrition, Identifying and rescuing child victims of human trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse and provision of 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.”
He assured that Government would join forces with local communities and non-governmental organizations to ensure that the efforts are both impactful and sustainable.
Executive Director, Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF), Mrs Mabel Ade, who spoke earlier, said the event was a pivotal moment in the collective fight against human trafficking.
Ade said the event was aimed at mitigating the scourge of trafficking from Benue communities.
She noted that the Foundation, as the anchor organization of the USAID- Palladium’s Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) CTIP Cluster, was dedicated to advocating for strong legislative measures against trafficking.
The Zonal Coordinator, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs Gloria Bai, in her remarks, said the agency needed all stakeholders to help save the future of the Benue child.
Bai, the Co- Chairman of Benue Taskforce on Human Trafficking lamented that the number of trafficking incidents have being on the rise in the state.