By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has hosted a high-powered delegation from the United States Department of State in Makurdi for talks aimed at strengthening collaboration on security, peacebuilding, religious freedom, humanitarian response and lasting solutions to the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

The delegation, led by Mr. Bart Connolly, Senior Advisor in the Bureau of African Affairs, also had Mr. Isaac Six, Senior Advisor in the Office of International Religious Freedom.

He said the visit was to gain first-hand insight into the security and humanitarian situation in Benue, engage with the state government, religious leaders and civil society organisations, and identify areas of partnership to promote peace, safeguard religious freedom and enhance community resilience.

Welcoming the delegation, Governor Alia appreciated the Government of the United States for its enduring partnership with Nigeria and Benue State, particularly in humanitarian assistance, healthcare, agriculture, peacebuilding, and democratic governance.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and security across the state while pursuing the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return of IDPs to their ancestral homes through improved security, reconciliation, livelihood restoration, and sustainable community development.

The Governor also acknowledged the support of the United States Government through the Spirit of America initiative, implemented by Search for Common Ground across four Local Government Areas of Benue State.

He noted that the initiative has strengthened community dialogue, promoted reconciliation, and enhanced local peacebuilding efforts, complementing the state’s Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Nexus approach.

Speaking during the meeting, the Director General of the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Dr. Aondoaseer Leo-Angelo Viashima, observed that the visit came at a critical time as Benue State continues to deepen its Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Nexus approach, strengthen community resilience, and implement durable solutions that would enable displaced persons to return safely to their ancestral homes.

The leader of the U.S. delegation commended the Benue State Government for its openness and commitment to dialogue, noting that the visit provided an important opportunity to better understand the challenges confronting communities in the state and identify areas for enhanced cooperation.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the United States Government to supporting initiatives that promote peace, religious freedom, humanitarian response, and sustainable development.

The visit concluded with both the Benue State Government and the United States Government reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, humanitarian coordination, religious freedom, and durable solutions that would enable displaced communities to return safely to their homes and rebuild their lives.

The meeting was attended by members of the Governor’s core Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Nexus team, including the Chief of Staff, Barr. Moses Atagher; the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Chenge; the Director General of the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Dr. Aondoaseer Leo-Angelo Viashima; as well as other senior government officials and officials of the United States Embassy in Nigeria.