BNSG collaborates INGOs, CSOs, others in development
By Brenda Agba
The governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has stated the readiness in his administration to collaborate International Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Development Partners and Donor Agencies towards providing good governance in the state.
Alia made this known when he hosted representatives of the Benue State Government, INGOs, CSOs, Development Partners and Donor Agencies to an informal Breakfast Meeting.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Coordinator, Benue Development Professionals, Mr Aondoaseer Leonard-Angelo Viashima and made available to The Voice.
According to the statement, the governor explained that bringing them together was not just for them to witness his inauguration, but to provide a platform for them to brainstorm and fashion out ways through which an enabling environment can be created for viable partnerships.
Speaking during the event, Secretary of the Transition Committee, Mr David Ashiekaa who represented the governor, explained that: “In realising how important it is to showcase the abundant natural and human resources available in Benue State and creating an enabling environment for a striving economy including the private sector, necessitated the hosting of the meeting.”
Mr Ashiekaa disclosed that the new government is determined to uplift its people from the quagmire of negative indicators saying Benue State needs all the support it can garner.
“The Alia led administration is poised to provide visionary leadership that will bring about ground breaking initiatives which will lead to unprecedented progress and development to pave the way for a brighter future,” he assured.
Meanwhile, representatives of the various INGOs, CSOs, Development Partners and Donor Agencies all pledged their willingness to provide the needed support for the state as long as there is the political will and an enabling environment for them to operate.
Some of the partners at the meeting included Ene Obi of ActionAid Nigeria, Ufuoma Omo-Obi of Options Consultancy Services, Iorwa Apera of Fhi360, Priscilla Achakpa of Women Environmental Programme, Lucky Palmer of Ipas, Dr. Patrick Adah of Pan-Africare, Dr. Victor Adejoh of Synergos Nigeria, and Alu Azege of Media, Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria-MHR.
Others were Michael Idah, Country Director of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Gender Specialist Ene Ede, Senior Program Manager, Marie Stopes International Nigeria -MSION, Leo-Angelo Viashima, Security Advisor, Reuben Odum, John Pilaku of GHAIN, Vitalis Ortese, renowned knowledge management, and data expert, currently the Managing Director of OOPL Ventures, as well as Godwin Aster, Country Director of Sasakawa Nigeria, a leading agricultural funding partner in Nigeria.
