Civil society organisations (CSOs), spearheaded by BENGONET and CSO-B, have warmly welcomed the recently appointed Director General of the Benue State International Cooperation and Development Unit at the Governor’s Office in Benue State.
Having assumed office on November 1, 2023, the Director General has already made a substantial impact since the announcement of his appointment on August 18.
The purpose of the courtesy meeting was to introduce the global CSO community to the Director-General and shed light on the mission of the International Cooperation and Development Coordinating Unit.
Discussions revolved around collaborative approaches for CSOs to support the unit and how the Director-General, through his office, could facilitate international growth for the CSO community.
The chairman of BENGONET, Lazarus Mom, emphasised the organisation’s 20-year legacy, focusing on key areas such as agriculture, climate change, health, education, human rights and gender, and peacebuilding. BENGONET’s achievements include establishing the IDP camp at Daudu with UNHCR’s support, capacity building for over 500 women and girls in IDP camps, and active participation in elections and budget hearings.
Mr. Aondoaseer Viashima, MHE, MPH, PMD Pro, assured them of the government’s commitment to sustainable development. Under Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s leadership, the Benue State International Cooperation and Development (BICD) coordinating unit was established. The BICD aims to foster collaboration, information sharing, capacity building, transparency, and advocacy among non-profit organisations, INGOs, donors, and bilateral relations globally.
Viashima outlined BICD’s objectives, including quarterly capacity building for CSOs on donor compliance and anti-fraud measures. He encouraged CSOs to embrace sustainable social investment models, aligning with global trends. Viashima also urged BENGONET to respond to the call for humanitarian support in Benue, emphasising the need for organisational capacity assessments to prepare for incoming donors and IPs. He called on the global humanitarian community to urgently respond to the ongoing crisis in Benue and appealed for support to relocate IDPs to their ancestral homes. Viashima stressed the importance of humanitarian organisations uniting to address this critical situation.
Members expressed gratitude for the global support and pledged commitment to the BICD’s mandate.
Aondoaseer Leonard-Angelo Viashima serves as the Director General of the BICD, a key initiative by Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia aimed at reinforcing systems, and strengthening and enhancing administrative frameworks in Benue State.
Follow the AkweyaTV channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7m7dvJuyA7h5XMc22i
