From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
United Nations Children’s Fund ,UNICEF, has concluded a five‑day training for 26 Auxiliary Social Workers, in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.
The programme was held at the Pauline Maka Women Development Centre in Makurdi, aimed at bolstering the social workforce at the community level.
Speaking with journalists after the training, Victor Atuchukwu, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF Enugu Field Office, said the initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Benue State Government and facilitated by, Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi.
He explained that UNICEF has identified Guma, Logo, and Gwer West as three additional pilot LGAs for the programme.
Atuchukwu noted that the conventional social work force is grossly inadequate due to recent crises in the state, and the auxiliary workers will complement existing services.
“What has just ended is a capacity‑building training to equip the Auxiliary Social Workers with the required knowledge and skills to support and complement UNICEF’s preventive and responsive child‑protection services in IDP camps and host communities”, he said.
The trainees, drawn from six IDP camps and host communities in Makurdi LGA, will coordinate and support community‑based child‑protection structures, ensuring prevention and response services.
Atuchukwu lamented the lack of social workers at household and community levels where violence, abuse, and harmful practices against children are rampant, and emphasized that the training will ensure better distribution of resources and timely referral of cases.
He added that UNICEF is working with existing structures such as vigilante groups, traditional institutions, and health workers to integrate child‑protection components into their daily activities.
He thanked Governor Hyacinth Alia for providing technical and financial support and announced that the state government has committed to paying stipends to the auxiliary workers.
Atuchukwu equally announced that the programme is slated to expand to the remaining 17 Local Government Areas of Benue, as child‑protection issues persist across the state.
Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs.Theresa Ikwue, commended UNICEF for the training, expressing confidence that it will help minimize child molestation and related problems, especially in IDP camps.
Dr. Terungwa Tyav, Head of Social Works Department at Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, also expressed appreciation to UNICEF and the Benue State Government for choosing the institution as facilitator.
He noted that the crisis has disproportionately affected children, many of whom are now in IDP camps, and said the training will equip ASWs with skills to reintegrate these children into society.
He described the initiative as a joint effort to address gaps in child‑protection services and improve response mechanisms in vulnerable communities across Benue
