UNICEF, Benue govt strengthens child protection as 60 Auxiliary Social Workers from IDP camp, host communities graduate

By Johnson Arua

Benue State has further reinforced its commitment to child protection and community resilience with the graduation of 60 Auxiliary Social Workers drawn from Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and host communities in Makurdi and Guma Local Government Areas.

The graduation and convocation ceremony, themed “Building Community Resilience through Professional Auxiliary Social Workers,” marked a major milestone in the state’s efforts to deepen social welfare service delivery at the grassroots level.

Representing the Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, said the state government was highly satisfied with the quality and impact of the training programme. He noted that the Deputy Governor commended the graduands for positioning themselves as agents of resilience, safety and social stability within their communities.

“He has asked me to congratulate you on your graduation and to remind you that you now stand for truth, justice and the protection of human rights in the communities you will serve,” Ogwuche said.

He praised Akawe Torkula Polytechnic for what he described as an excellent six-month training programme and acknowledged UNICEF for standing firmly behind the initiative. According to him, the programme aligns with the development vision of Governor Hyacinth Alia, whose administration has made notable strides in human capital development since assuming office.

In her remarks, the UNICEF Chief of Enugu Field Office, Ms. Juliet Chiluwe, described the graduation as a critical step toward the attainment of children’s rights in Benue State. She disclosed that the state government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, has committed to the deployment and payment of stipends for the auxiliary social workers selected from IDP camps and host communities.

“These social workers will serve as key partners in preventing, reporting and addressing cases of physical and emotional violence against children,” Chiluwe said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Theresa Ikwue, said the graduation of the 60 auxiliary social workers represents a significant boost to child protection systems across the state. She thanked UNICEF for its continued support, including the capacity-building of Child Protection Desk Officers across the 23 local government areas.

She also acknowledged the contributions of JASPI, BICD and RUWASA, as well as the management and staff of Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, noting that the programme aligns with Governor Alia’s 7-Point Strategic Development Agenda on social protection, inclusive governance and community safety.

The Rector of Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Dr. Martins Agena, said the six-month training equipped the graduands with practical skills to effectively respond to the needs of displaced persons and vulnerable groups.

“We need trained social workers like these to safeguard children and vulnerable people in camps and host communities, thereby securing the future of our society,” Agena said.

Also speaking, the Director General of the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Dr. Leo Viashima, urged local government chairmen to replicate the programme in their respective councils, describing the initiative as one of the notable achievements of the current administration.

Responding on behalf of the graduands, Ms. Patience Otsepa expressed gratitude to the Benue State Government, UNICEF and all partners for the opportunity to acquire skills that would enable them to contribute meaningfully to community development and child protection across the state.