News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
A Non Governmental Organization, NGO Elim Christian Vocational Training Centre in Ega Ibilla, Oju LGA Benue State in conjunction with Civil Society Organization (CSO) Coordination Platform for Environmental and Climate Issues said they would commence sensitization of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Guma Local Government Area LGA of the state.
Our correspondent reports that the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has started relocation of IDPs in several camps in Makurdi to the Mega camp, along Gbajimba, in Guma LGA, where he and international development partners are providing them with better living environment.
Members of the platform who made the commitment at their first quarterly meeting of 2025, harped on the need to sensitize the vulnerable population on good environmental practices that would impact positively their lives.
They observed that as the IDP are going back to their communities are embarking on incessant falling of trees to make ends meet and as a source of fuel.
They also noted that incidents of SGBVs among other challenges have been on the rise hence the need to sensitize them against SGBV, deforestation and also empower them on alternative sources of fuel.
Speaking, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Ann Itodo thanked the organizers of the platform for the Coordination as she informed that all they are doing is in line with activities and programs of the ministry.
Itodo, represented by the Director Women Affairs, Mrs Magdalene Andor, commended the platform for starting its activities early in the year and urged members to contribute meaningfully for the benefit of the target groups.
The Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on People with Disabilities, Mr Bem Anshe, appreciated state government for demonstrating passion in planning for Persons with Disabilities in Benue state and ensuring they are not left out in the scheme of things.
He informed that the Governor has approved the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Act which has passed through the first reading at the Benue State House of Assembly.
Anshe lamented that before now people thought PWDs have little or nothing to contribute to nation building and because of that they were marginalized, stigmatized, reject and traumatized.
He urged other Governors and organizations to borrow a leaf from Governor Alia and improve on inclusion of PWDs in their discussions and activities.
Welcoming participants earlier, the Executive Director Elim CVTC, Mr Emmanuel Egbodo, represented by the Project Coordinator, Rachael Achimba, said the organization is poised to continue to make an impact on the lives of the community members in the state urging members to continue to be supportive.
A representative of the CSOs and Executive Director of Women’s Mid life Support Initiative (WOMDI), Mrs Ebere Ogbo, said they have been doing a lot in the state in areas of climate change, SGBV, health and other thematic areas but observed that the Coordination by ELIM CVTC would be more result oriented as CSOs working in the state collaborate.
The platform is organized by
Elim Christian Vocational Training Centre Ega Ibilla Oju LGA Benue State under the Enabling Resilience to Climate Change Related Risks project with Benue State Ministry of Water Resources Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Youths and Sports, Ministry of Education and CSOs working on issues of climate change as members.
