Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, received a high-level delegation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi.

The delegation was led by the Deputy Director General for Operations, Ms. Ugochi Daniels, alongside the Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Ms. Sylvia Ekra, in what has been described as a milestone visit aimed at strengthening humanitarian response and durable solutions for displaced persons in Benue State.

Governor Alia expressed appreciation to IOM and its partners for their continued support, noting that Benue State has been facing serious challenges caused by farmer-herder conflicts, climate change, and prolonged displacement of communities. He emphasized that the visit was a recognition of the plight of the people of Benue.

“By choosing to visit Benue, you have demonstrated that the plight of our people, especially those displaced by conflict, has not gone unnoticed. This visit is more than symbolic; it is a strong endorsement of the resilience of our communities and our collective commitment to rebuilding lives with dignity and hope,” the governor said.

The governor commended IOM for its work in camp management, shelter construction, WASH facilities, protection, and data management. He described the introduction of the Displacement Tracking Matrix as a breakthrough in humanitarian coordination. He further announced the state government’s contribution of $50,000 to IOM’s resilience campaign, stressing his administration’s readiness to ensure the safe return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes while restoring livelihoods.

Governor Alia also reiterated his administration’s willingness to strengthen collaboration with IOM and other international partners in the areas of peacebuilding, climate change adaptation, agricultural value chains, and durable solutions for displaced persons. He said, “In Benue, we are determined to transform vulnerability into resilience, displacement into opportunities, and crisis into hope.”

In her remarks, Ms. Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s Deputy Director General for Operations, thanked the governor and the people of Benue for the warm reception. She also announced a new $1.1 million, equivalent to 1.7 billion naira, humanitarian funding package from the European Union and ECHO, to be jointly implemented by IOM, UNHCR, and UN-HABITAT.

“This engagement is more than a meeting, it is a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to those affected by crisis and a call to deepen our partnerships in pursuit of durable solutions and lasting peace,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sir James Iorpuu, highlighted the achievements of IOM since it began operations in Benue in August 2023. He pointed to successes such as biometric registration of IDPs, construction of emergency shelters, camp coordination, provision of safe water, psychosocial support, and protection services. According to him, these initiatives have been life-changing, restoring dignity and hope to displaced families.

After the meeting, Governor Alia accompanied the IOM delegation to the IDP Mega Camp, where they inspected facilities and engaged with displaced persons. The visit was seen as a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to durable solutions for IDPs and improved humanitarian services.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Distinguished Humanitarian Award to IOM by the Secretary to the State Government, Deaconess Serumun Deborah Aber. Presenting the award on behalf of the government and people of Benue State, she praised the organization’s commitment to saving lives and building resilience.

She said, “This award is not just a trophy, but a call to continue transforming lives and building pathways toward resilience and recovery.”

The event drew the participation of Ambassadors, Heads of Cooperation and Missions, representatives of UNICEF and UNHCR, senior government officials, humanitarian partners, and displaced persons who witnessed the recognition of IOM’s contributions to the state.

A delegation from the University of Rome and The Peace Institute (TPI), led by Prof. Hauwa Ibrahim, visited the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to reflect on the impact of the three-week STEAM Digital Literacy Programme for pupils in Hadejia, Jigawa State.

The delegation was received by Dr. Dimie Warowei, Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy at NITDA.

He noted the significance of the programme in shaping young minds with relevant skills. According to him, “initiatives like this contribute to building a strong foundation for Nigeria’s digital economy.”

The team explained that the camp empowered 1,050 pupils from 45 schools, providing hands-on training in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. They emphasized the use of both modern and locally available materials, which helped the pupils gain practical problem-solving abilities.

The visit also included a tour of the NITDA Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT) room.

The delegation commended Nigeria’s efforts in safeguarding its digital ecosystem, which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for a sustainable digital future.

August 20, 2025 – The Cross River State Government has issued a press release dated 20 August 2025 regarding recent administrative postings by the Office of the Head of Service.

The statement noted that the postings were made in August 2025, just as the Head of Service approaches retirement.

According to the government, “the postings effected within this short transition period could hinder smooth handover, create administrative instability, and undermine orderly succession.”

The release, signed under the reference SSG/GSA/S/78/Vol.EX/509, emphasized that such actions could affect the efficiency of governance if allowed to stand.

Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu has therefore directed the immediate reversal and cancellation of all postings. The government clarified that this decision will remain in place until the incoming Head of Service assumes office, ensuring continuity and proper administrative balance across ministries and agencies.