UN Deputy Chief visits Benue, urges peace, resilience, partnerships
By Peter Duru, Makurdi
The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Amina Mohammed, has called for strengthened peacebuilding efforts, inclusive development, and deeper collaboration between global partners and subnational governments during an official visit to Benue State.
Speaking at the Government House in Makurdi on Friday, Dr. Mohammed described Benue as “a State of enormous importance to Nigeria’s food security, economic vitality and social stability,” while commending the resilience of its people despite mounting challenges.
“I am pleased to be here in Benue and to see first-hand the priorities of the State and the resilience and beauty of its people,” she said.
She began her remarks by extending condolences to families affected by recent violent attacks in parts of the state, including Mbalom in Gwer East Local Government Area, LGA, and Yelewata in Guma LGA.
“Let me begin by extending my heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and express my solidarity with all affected communities, including those newly displaced,” she stated.
Dr. Mohammed noted that Benue’s challenges reflect broader global pressures, including conflict, climate shocks, and economic strain, warning that such forces were increasingly converging to test the resilience of vulnerable communities.
“In Nigeria and in Benue in particular, these wider pressures are felt in very immediate ways, shaping the context in which communities are pursuing peace, recovery and resilience,” she added.
Despite the challenges, the UN Deputy Chief praised the Benue State Government’s development direction, highlighting the 2026 budget focused on rural development and sustained growth, as well as innovations such as Nigeria’s first fully digital e-Parliament system.
“The direction your hovernment is setting deserves recognition, it sends an important signal of commitment to improving lives and expanding opportunity,” she said.
She emphasized that Benue’s status as Nigeria’s “food basket” places it at the heart of national prosperity, urging sustained investment in agriculture, livelihoods, and value chains.“Benue holds enormous potential, not only in feeding the country, but in generating livelihoods, enterprise and broader prosperity,” she noted.
On insecurity, Dr. Mohammed stressed that military responses alone would not suffice, calling instead for grassroots peacebuilding, justice, and reconciliation.
“What is required is not only a security response, but a broader commitment to peacebuilding that starts at the grassroots, rebuilding trust across communities,” she said, warning that oversimplified narratives could inflame tensions and strain the social fabric.
She also underscored the importance of education, particularly for children affected by conflict and displacement, describing it as essential for long-term peace and recovery.
“A resilient education system is not only a social priority, it is a foundation for long-term peace, inclusion and recovery,” she said, while commending the state’s BRACE-UP initiative aimed at returning out-of-school children to classrooms.
Dr. Mohammed who earlier visited Yelewata community in Guma LGA, expressed solidarity with victims of the violence, particularly women and children.
“My visit here today is one to be in solidarity with those who loss the most in conflict, it is the women and the children,” she said, urging communities to embrace unity and rebuild trust.
“We have to go back to our unity as a Nigerian people who are rich in our diversity, it is not impossible,” she added.
She further stressed the importance of peace for agricultural recovery and national growth, noting that “we need peace if we are trying to go back to our farms, we must not stop farming.”
At the Mega Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Mbayongo, Makurdi-Gbajimba Road, where she also visited, the UN Deputy Chief encouraged children to remain committed to education.
“Education is what no one can take from you and it will transform your lives,” she told them, expressing hope that displaced persons would soon return to their communities.
Dr. Mohammed assured that the United Nations would continue to work closely with Benue State to promote peace, resilience, and sustainable development.
“The United Nations will continue to stand in solidarity with Benue State to support a more peaceful and resilient future for all,” she said.
In his remarks, Governor Hyacinth Alia described Benue as a critical hub for food security in Nigeria and West Africa but lamented the impact of insecurity and displacement, revealing that over 500,000 people were currently internally displaced in the state.
“Benue stands today as a critical intersection of global priorities, food security, climate resilience, and human dignity,” the governor said.
He outlined key achievements of his administration, including the rehabilitation of over 375 public schools, recruitment of 9,700 teachers, improvements in healthcare facilities, and major investments in infrastructure and agriculture.
The Governor also highlighted efforts to support displaced persons, including housing construction, provision of farmlands, and livelihood restoration initiatives. “These are not just interventions; they are pathways from displacement to dignity,” he stated.
Governor Alia called for deeper collaboration with the United Nations in areas such as climate resilience, agro-industrial development, human capital development, and community security.
“What we seek is not charity, but collaboration, not temporary relief, but lasting transformation,” he added.
Also speaking, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed described the visit as a demonstration of strong partnership between the United Nations and the Benue State Government.
“It is about partnership, bringing hope and sustainable development to drive change,” she said, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to supporting the state.
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