The Director General of the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Mr. Leo-Angelo Viashima has embarked on a series of strategic corporate visits to key stakeholders and development partners in Nigeria’s humanitarian and health sectors.
The statement from the Bureau explaimed that the primary objective of these engagements was to reinforce ongoing collaborations, address sustainability challenges, and explore new partnerships aimed at enhancing the development trajectory of Benue State.
At the forefront of Mr. Viashima’s agenda was the discussion of sustainability of development programs in Benue State, especially in the humanitarian and health sectors.
He emphasized the need for deeper collaboration between development partners and critical state institutions to ensure that implemented programs not only yield results but also leave a lasting impact.
The Director General noted that several development agencies still lack physical offices in Benue, and establishing such presences would provide stronger operational capacity and improved stakeholder engagement.
He reviewed ongoing projects with partners who already have a footprint in the state, expressing the state government’s desire to strengthen partnerships with agencies such as the Benue State Climate Change Council and the Benue State Rehabilitation Board, both of which are crucial to the system strengthening efforts of the government.
In his remarks, Mr. Viashima underscored the necessity of a multisectoral approach in addressing the various intervention gaps in the state. He stressed that success in these interventions relies heavily on collaboration and shared ownership between government, civil society organizations (CSOs), and international partners. This approach, he said, is central to achieving long-term sustainability. Mr. Viashima also hinted at the upcoming Global Partners Roundtable Meeting 2024, to be held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, themed “Advancing Subnational Development Beyond Tokenism Amidst Growing Humanitarian Challenges – A Path Towards Sustainability.” This event will bring together global and local partners to align on strategies that will take Benue’s development beyond temporary fixes and into sustainable growth and progress.
In response to the Director General’s visit, Mr. Lucky Palmer, Country Director of IPAS, reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to strengthening Benue’s health sector. He highlighted that IPAS would continue to deliver its services through government structures and local implementing partners, reinforcing its localization strategy. Mr. Palmer noted that the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Law is crucial for setting standards in managing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases across Benue, and IPAS is committed to supporting the operationalisation of this law. He also revealed that IPAS, through its partners such as Education as a Vaccine (EVA), has scheduled upcoming training sessions for social welfare officers, with a focus on multisectoral cooperation to achieve better results in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services.
At the Society for Family Health (SFH), Managing Director Dr. Omokhudu Idogho shared his organization’s willingness to expand beyond the AMF (Against Malaria Foundation) project in Benue. SFH is considering funding additional activities and renewing their presence in the state. Dr. Idogho acknowledged that the openness of Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s administration has created an enabling environment for partners, and many are now confident in scaling up their activities for greater social impact. He praised the state for its support of the Post-Mosquito Net Distribution Monitoring Project, which is currently underway in Benue, and expressed SFH’s enthusiasm to engage in more collaborative efforts moving forward.
During a visit to Search for Common Ground, accompanied by the BICD Lead Programme Analyst Mr Aromeh Caleb, Ms. Fatima Madaki, the Country Director, expressed appreciation for the Benue State Government’s ongoing efforts in the peacebuilding space. She noted that Search for Common Ground has been welcomed into the state’s development landscape and feels like an integral part of the government’s framework. Ms. Madaki reiterated her organization’s commitment to supporting Benue’s peace-building plans and said they are open to exploring innovative partnerships that would lead to long-term sustainability and impact.
All stakeholders and partners expressed their excitement for the upcoming Global Partners Roundtable Meeting in Makurdi, 2024. They affirmed their commitment to participating in discussions aimed at shaping the future of Benue State’s development initiatives and pledged to support areas that would make the event a resounding success.
The Global Partners Roundtable Meeting will provide a platform for multilateral dialogue on key development issues facing subnational governments. The forum will focus on how global partners can collaborate with state actors to create programs that are sustainable, scalable, and impactful, even in the face of increasing humanitarian challenges.
Benue State is poised to take a leading role in defining the future of subnational development, and with strong partnerships and unwavering commitment from stakeholders, the state’s potential for growth is boundless.
