Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has pledged his administration’s commitment towards tackling issues threatening peaceful coexistence and harmony in the state.
The governor gave the assurance at the New Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi when he played host to a delegation from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
He thanked the United Nations for always offering help, restoring hope to the hopeless, giving respite to the traumatised, providing shelter to the homeless and helping to build a better future for those that have lost their livelihoods as a result of crisis.
“In short, you have not only been saving lives but have been ensuring that the rights and human dignity of those being violated, persecuted or subjected to violence get respite.
You find for them respect and safety that their own people or authorities sometimes deny them. Above all, you build for them a better future away from their original homes, thus bringing meaning and happiness into their lives again,” the governor stated.
While reiterating his administration’s resolve to return the internally displaced persons back to their ancestral homes, the governor assured the group of his government’s genuine commitment to having a robust engagement that will usher in practical pathways to solving the multiple issues bedevilling peace and harmony in the state.
He appreciated the UNHCR for donating 10 Oxygen Concentrators to the state, saying the gesture will go a long way in helping the government to improve its healthcare delivery services to Benue people.
Earlier in her address, leader of the delegation and Head of UNHCR sub-office Ogoja, Ms Irene Omendi appreciated Governor Alia for welcoming the delegation to the state especially for allowing refugees of Cameroon descent to settle in Ikyogen, Kwande Local Government Area of the state.
She said the hospitality the state government has granted the refugees and peaceful coexistence noticeable between the locals and refugees was commendable.
Ms Omendi while commending the Alia led administration for its efforts at returning the IDPs in the state to their ancestral homes, called for more support for the IDPs through provision of schools, hospitals and other basic amenities but assured of her organisation’s continued support including in the area of capacity building.
She said because of the hospitality accorded the refugees by the state government, the UNHRC has decided to donate 10 Oxygen Concentrators at Abande, Ikyogen and at St. Monica’s Hospital Adikpo, as medical intervention to people of the area.
