By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening multi-sectoral coordination as a core strategy to improve service delivery, optimize resources, and ensure that all interventions meet the real needs of the people.

He made the commitment at a high-level meeting of the Benue State Multi-Sector Coordination Platform, convened in Makurdi by the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development, BICD, with the theme “Strengthening the Benue State Multi-Sector Coordination Platform for Sustainable Impact.”

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Moses Atagher, the Governor while declaring the meeting open, noted that his vision “is to institutionalize government-led coordination as the standard for all partnerships in the state.”

He commended the Dr. Aondoaseer Viashima-led BICD for its central role in aligning multi-sectoral interventions with the state’s priorities and fostering meaningful engagement between government and partners.

The Governor Alia assured all stakeholders of his administration’s continued political leadership over the coordination process, its dedication to state ownership of partnerships, and its resolve to “create an enabling environment for multi-sectoral action that delivers lasting benefits to communities across Benue State.”

The Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Media in the Cabinet Office, Mr. James Azande, emphasized the Governor’s directive for Ministries, Departments, Agencies, MDAs and partners to work within the state-led coordination platform to achieve unity of purpose, avoid duplication, and ensure measurable results.

The day’s programme featured detailed updates from the BICD Technical Team on ongoing coordination efforts, partner registration compliance, and sector cluster designations, followed by a presentation from the Nigerian INGO Forum on gap mapping and opportunities for improved collaboration.

A major highlight was the roundtable session, where MDAs and UN agencies presented their mid-year achievements, sharing updates on projects funded through grants, donations, and development programmes.

These ranged from infrastructure upgrades, healthcare delivery, and educational initiatives to agriculture support, peacebuilding actions, and renewable energy deployment. Each presentation was followed by constructive reviews and feedback aimed at improving the impact, reach, and sustainability of interventions for the benefit of the people of Benue.

The interactive question and answer  session generated practical ideas for overcoming coordination challenges and reinforced the shared commitment to transparency, accountability, and delivering measurable results.

In his closing remarks, the Director General of BICD appreciated all partners for their continued support and collaboration. He particularly acknowledged the contributions of partners whose technical and logistical assistance helped make the convening possible, particlarly WHO and Nigeria INGO Forum – NIF, noting that such support reflected the spirit of shared responsibility at the heart of multi-sectoral coordination.

The meeting concluded with clear next steps, including operationalizing sector working groups, launching enhanced coordination tools, and convening a joint review session in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The high level participants at the meeting included the Country Director of the Nigerian INGO Forum, Ms. Carmilla Higgins, and her delegation; heads of UN Agencies and offices active in Benue State, such as WHO, IOM, UNFPA, UNHCR, and UNDP; the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Chenge; the Director General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, Josephine Habba; the Director General of the Benue State SDGs Office, Chief John Akuse.

Others includes the Director General of the Benue State Economic and Planning Commission, Prof. Jerome Andohol; the Director General of the Benue State Social Investment Project, Chief Mrs. Erdoo Iyo; and Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Education, Health, Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Power and Renewable Energy, Works, Housing and Urban Development, Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change as well as Agriculture and Food Security.