BENUE BOOSTS CHILD PROTECTION WITH GRADUATION OF 60 UNICEF-BACKED SOCIAL WORKERS. (PHOTOS).

 BENUE BOOSTS CHILD PROTECTION WITH GRADUATION OF 60 UNICEF-BACKED SOCIAL WORKERS 

Benue State has taken a major step toward strengthening child protection and social welfare services with the graduation of 60 Auxiliary Social Workers (ASWs) trained to serve vulnerable children and families at the grassroots.

The graduation ceremony, held on Wednesday, marked the successful completion of a programme jointly supported by the Benue State Government, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD).

Speaking at the event themed “Building Community Resilience Through Professional Auxiliary Social Work,” the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Mrs. Theresa Apochi-Ikwue, described the initiative as a strategic response to gaps in child protection services across the state.

She said the newly trained ASWs would be deployed to communities, particularly in areas facing shortages of professional social workers, to deliver essential child protection and social welfare services.

According to her, the programme aligns with the state’s development priorities and global child rights commitments, noting that the government and its partners fully funded the training of the first batch of participants.

“This initiative reflects our determination to protect children’s rights, promote their wellbeing, and strengthen social welfare systems at the grassroots,” Mrs. Ikwue said.

She explained that the graduates, many drawn from vulnerable backgrounds, received intensive training in case management, referrals, psychosocial support, and ethical service delivery, equipping them to handle child protection cases effectively.

Mrs. Ikwue also revealed that UNICEF supported a three-day capacity-building workshop for 46 Child Protection Desk Officers, two from each of Benue’s 23 local government areas.

The Rector of Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Dr. Martins Agena, commended Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia and the state government for backing the programme, while praising UNICEF, BICD, and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare for ensuring its success.

Dr. Agena noted that the certificates awarded to the graduates offer global career opportunities and encouraged them to pursue further professional development.

In his remarks, the Director-General of BICD, Dr. Aondoaseer Leonard Viashima, said the state had made significant investments in the programme and urged the graduates to translate their training into meaningful community impact.

“The real return on this investment is dedicated service and positive change in your communities,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chief of UNICEF’s Enugu Field Office, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, said the initiative is aimed at eliminating Violence Against Children (VAC) and strengthening social welfare systems in line with UNICEF’s mission of ensuring every child is protected and empowered to thrive.

Representing the state government, the Deputy Governor, Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, mni, through the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, reaffirmed Benue’s commitment to child rights protection and social welfare development.

Other speakers, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Martha Edor, and a representative of the graduating class, expressed appreciation to the state government, UNICEF, Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, BICD, and other partners, while calling for the expansion and sustainability of the programme.

More photos below.