Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has called on stakeholders in the state to join his administration in tackling the challenges confronting Benue child.
Speaking at the inauguration of the State Steering Committee of the ‘Save the Benue Child’ project on Friday, the governor called on local communities, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to mitigate child trafficking in the state.
The governor who was represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr Fidelis Mnyim
lamented that the Benue child had, over the years, faced issues of lack of quality education and healthcare, amongst others.
He said that his administration aimed to use the project to collaborate with all stakeholders through community outreach and engagement and provision of support services.
He said, “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, these young lives are at risk. But we also recognize an immense opportunity—an opportunity to effect meaningful change and to forge a path towards hope and opportunity.
“The “Save the Benue Child” project is not just a response to these challenges; it is also a commitment to action. Our goal is to create a comprehensive support system that addresses the needs of these children holistically.
“We will focus on improving access to quality education, ensuring health and nutrition, Identifying and rescuing child victims of human trafficking, child exploitation, and sexual abuse, providing support services for vulnerable rescued children, prosecuting perpetrators and holding them accountable, raising awareness and sensitizing communities on human trafficking and child exploitation and providing the necessary support to safeguard their well-being.
The governor further said, “Government will join forces with local communities, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to ensure that the efforts are both impactful and sustainable.
In her remarks, the Zonal Coordinator of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Gloria Bai, called on all stakeholders to help save the future of the Benue child.
Mrs. Bai and the state attorney general, Fidelis Mnyim are co-chairman of “Benue Taskforce on Human Trafficking”
The NAPTIP Commander said the number of human traffic incidents in the state was on the increase.
Earlier, Mrs Mabel Ade, Executive Director of Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF), said the event was a pivotal moment in the State’s collective fight against human trafficking.
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