The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, supported by the Japanese Government, has graduated 166 trainees in various skills and trades under its skills acquisition programme.
UNDP also purchased start up kits which has been distributed to the beneficiaries at the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Head Office, Makurdi.
Speaking during the distribution, the Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mr. Emmanuel Shior through the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Emergencies, David Azenda, said the skills acquired would provide opportunities for long-term development for the IDPs.
He noted that with the skill, the displaced persons can become economically viable in their respective communities.
He thanked UNDP for attending to the plight of Benue IDPs and expressed SEMA’s readiness to ensure the beneficiaries make judicious use of the materials without selling them.
The beneficiaries include IDPs in Guma, Logo, Agatu, Kwande and Buruku Local Governments Areas in the state.
The Field Project Manager and Head of Programmes under the peace project, Benue State, Mr. Chukuma Umeh, said the programme was UNDP’s way of demonstrating integrated peace building approach in resolving the issues of crisis and preventing conflict all around the Nations.
He said UNDP saw the need to ensure social stability and social cohesion given the fact that Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states have been displaced by the incessant conflict, hence the need to get them back to early recovery to begin to earn a living and become self reliance.
Umeh who expressed gratitude to the people and government of Benue State encouraged the graduates to be dedicated to work and make desired impact on expanding the scope of their businesses.
The Programme manager while urging other partners to also engage in humanitarian activities, promised that “The UNDP will continue to do its utmost best to support the displaced population and ensure that more IDPs benefit from technical and vocational training.
The IDPs were trained in shoe making, hairdressing, tailoring, baking and barbing.
