The Benue State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, has emphasized the importance of peace building in the state, highlighting the government’s efforts to strengthen the Peace Commission and collaborate with development partners to mitigate conflicts. “Peace building is one of the cardinal objectives of this government,” he said.
Dr. Ode stated this on Tuesday at the Government House in Makurdi during a courtesy visit by a high-level delegation comprising the UK government, SPRING senior leadership, and the Tetra Tech International Development team on a working visit to Benue State.
The Deputy Governor assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to providing institutional support for the SPRING Programme. “We want to assure you that as a government, we are going to give you the institutional support because as you engage in this program, we believe that it will strengthen our systems and also enhance our capacity to be able to forecast and, of course, avert most of these incidents that have become inevitable.”
Graham Gass, Senior Development Advisor to the British Government and leader of the delegation, explained that the Strengthening Peacebuilding and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING) Programme focuses on conflict management and resolution, and building peace in Nigeria, with Benue State being one of the focal states. “It is hard to be productive. It is hard to deliver services. It is hard to grow economically. If you do not have stability and security,” Gass noted.
He disclosed that the SPRING Programme will focus on five main areas, including natural resource management, agro-pastoralism, women, peace, and security, research on primary drivers of conflict, and tackling drivers and root causes of conflict. According to Gass, the program aims to support domestic actors in their efforts to tackle conflict and promote peace building in Nigeria.
The meeting highlighted the commitment of both the Benue State government, the British High Commission and other partners to promoting peace and stability in the state. Stakeholders are optimistic that the SPRING Programme will contribute significantly to reducing conflicts and enhancing resilience in the region.
