By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has taken a major step towards strengthening community resilience and child protection with the graduation and convocation of 60 Auxiliary Social Workers drawn from Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and host communities in Makurdi and Guma Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state.

The graduation ceremony, themed “Building Community Resilience through Professional Auxiliary Social Workers,” brought together state officials, development partners, and community stakeholders committed to improving social welfare and safeguarding vulnerable populations.

Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, said the state government was pleased with the quality and relevance of the training the graduands had undergone.

“The Deputy Governor has asked me to tell you that he is quite pleased with what is happening in Benue State, particularly the training that you people have gone through,” Ogwuche said, noting that the programme underscored the importance of social workers in building safe, resilient, and stronger communities.

He commended the graduands for their commitment, urging them to stand for truth, justice, and the protection of human rights as they return to their communities to serve as agents of positive change.

Ogwuche also praised Akawe Torkula Polytechnic for what he described as an excellent contribution to human capital development, as well as UNICEF for standing firmly behind the initiative to raise “nation builders.”

According to him, the programme aligns with the vision of Governor Hyacinth Alia, adding that the administration’s development agenda had recorded “giant strides in every facet of life” since assuming office over two years ago.

Also speaking at the event, the UNICEF Chief of Enugu Field Office, Juliet Chiluwe, described the graduation as a critical milestone toward the realization of children’s rights in Benue State.

“Today marks one of the critical steps towards the attainment of children’s rights in Benue, particularly in protecting children from physical and emotional violence,” Chiluwe said.

She disclosed that the state government had committed to paying stipends to the auxiliary social workers selected from IDP camps and host communities, describing them as key allies and catalysts in preventing, reporting, and addressing all forms of violence against children.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Theresa Ikwue, warmly welcomed participants, describing the ceremony as a significant milestone in strengthening child protection and social welfare service delivery across the state.

“Today, we celebrate the graduation of 60 Auxiliary Social Workers drawn from IDP camps and host communities in Guma and Makurdi LGAs,” she said, adding that the initiative reflected collective efforts to protect the most vulnerable.

Ikwue expressed profound appreciation to UNICEF for its unwavering support, noting that the global organisation also organized a three-day intensive capacity-building workshop for 46 Child Protection Desk Officers across the state.

“This strategic intervention has significantly enhanced coordination, institutional capacity, and statewide coverage of child protection services,” she said.

She further acknowledged the contributions of JASPI, BICD, and RUWASA, as well as the management of Akawe Torkula Polytechnic and officers of the Ministry of Women Affairs, for their professionalism and commitment to the success of the programme.

According to the commissioner, the achievement aligns with Governor Alia’s 7-Point Strategic Development Agenda, particularly in human capital development, social protection, inclusive governance, and community safety.

She noted that the graduands had undergone rigorous training and were now well-equipped for effective case management, referrals, and client support within community-based child protection structures.

“To our dear graduands, I urge you to serve with professionalism, integrity, and compassion, bearing in mind that your work directly contributes to the protection of children and our communities,” Ikwue said.

Earlier, the Rector of Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Dr. Martins Agena, said the institution provided six months of intensive training to prepare the auxiliary social workers for service in IDP camps and host communities.

“We need trained personnel like these graduands who will cater for children and vulnerable people in the camps and society in order to guarantee the future of our society,” Agena said, adding that the training and certificates would significantly improve the beneficiaries’ lives.

The Director General of the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Dr. Leo Viashima, commended Governor Alia for making the programme possible and urged local government chairmen to replicate similar initiatives in their areas.

“This feat is not only a milestone; it is one of the numerous good works of this administration,” Viashima said, stressing that the training would help fill existing gaps in social work services within IDP camps and host communities.

Responding on behalf of the graduands, Ms. Patience Otsepa expressed gratitude to UNICEF, the Benue State Government, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, and Akawe Torkula Polytechnic for the opportunity to become better citizens and community advocates.