Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has expressed his commitment to the peaceful coexistence, protection of human rights and hope for the future of Benue and Nigeria.
Governor Alia stated this recently at the new Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, on the occasion marking the 2023 International Day of Peace.
The governor who described peace as not just absence of conflict but presence of harmony, understanding and justice, explained that his administration has institutionalised a framework to support peace building and enforcement initiatives in the state.
He stated that he has been interfacing with a plethora of local and international organisations, including agencies of the UN, with a view to establishing a robust foundation for peace in the state.
Governor Alia further disclosed that his administration has equally strengthened the state’s Commission for Peace and Reconciliation to serve as the main instrument for the actualisation of the peace framework.
He added that several peace initiatives, including that of creating the right atmosphere for the return and resettlement of the internally displaced persons in the state as well as ways of reducing violent conflicts are being considered.
Governor Alia maintained that traditional rulers and community based organisations,
and other critical stakeholders in peace building have been carried along in the efforts to foster peace in the state, explaining that keen attention has been given to conflict hotspots in Ukum, Oju, Konshisha and Gwer as well as border areas such as Ebonyi and Cross River in order to create an environment conducive for growth and development.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for working assiduously with relevant partners and stakeholders with the aim of ensuring peace in Nigeria, the governor called on international communities to lend their invaluable support to the state through technical expertise, financial contributions as well as sharing best practices that would not only resolve conflicts in the state and country but would also prevent their recurrence.
Earlier in her address, leader of the 2023 International Day of Peace and pioneer Director General of the Benue State Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Mrs. Josephine Kpadoo Haba, appreciated Governor Alia for making himself available for the 2023 International Day of Peace. She said the day has never had the presence of a governor during its celebration.
According to her, the Benue Peace and Reconciliation Commission, an initiative of the governor, was working closely with government and other international partners to ensure that the governor’s desire to resettle the state’s IDPs to their ancestral homes was achieved.
She called on the governor and Commissioner for Education in the state to ensure the reintroduction of Peace Clubs in all schools in the state.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Benue State Network of Non Governmental Organisations (BENGONET), Benue Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BECCIMA), Benue State Community of Practice for Peace and Security all made cases for the IDPs, farmers and the vulnerable in the society.
The theme for this year’s celebration was “Action for Peace: our Ambition for the Global Goals.”
