By Peter Amine
The CLEEN Foundation, in collaboration with the Benue Ministry of Women Affairs, is training stakeholders on the promotion of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) issues.
Mr Peter Maduoma, acting Executive Director of the CLEEN Foundation, said in his opening remarks in Makurdi on Tuesday that the WPS Stakeholder Inception Training Workshop and Formal Launch of the State Multi-Stakeholder Implementation and Monitoring Committee in Benue were imperative in promoting women agenda.
Maduoma stated that the initiative was a direct response to critical findings from their recent assessment that identified an urgent need to review the expired State Action Plan (SAP) and reconstitute a robust leadership structure to drive the WPS agenda in Benue.
The acting executive director, who was represented by Mr Ebere Mbaegu, CLEEN Foundation Programme Officer, said that the three-day engagement would build the capacity of committee members on WPS principles, implementation frameworks, and monitoring tools.
He further said that the project funded by the Norwegian Embassy would enhance coordination among government institutions, security agencies, and civil society actors on the WPS agenda.
“The stakeholders will develop state-specific implementation and reporting frameworks that align with the National Action Plan (NAP) on WPS.
“Expected outcomes include a functional Benue WPS implementation and monitoring committee established and inaugurated.
“Improved technical capacity of stakeholders on WPS frameworks, reporting, and accountability mechanisms.
“Development of state-level implementation roadmaps for WPS action plans, strengthened collaboration among security agencies, ministries, traditional institutions, and women’s groups
“Enhanced visibility and commitment of state governments to advance the WPS agenda. CLEEN is confident that working with all the stakeholders present at this meeting, WPS in Benue will be further enhanced and strengthened,” he said.
The Director, Budget and Planning Commission in Benue, Prof. Jerome Andohol, lauded the CLEEN Foundation and the Norwegian Embassy for its assistance in bridging the gap and augmenting the efforts of the state on issues of insecurity.
“Insecurity has disrupted activities in the state and has rendered many people homeless.
“Your interventions are noble; however, there is a gap in the relationship between the commission and funding/donor organisations, especially as regards financial report documentation and filing.
“This, if done properly, will be captured in the state’s budget report and help strengthen collaboration,” he said.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr Timothy Ornguga, said that the ministry would continue to coordinate laws to ensure government participation in issues of peace and support women’s inclusion.
Ornguga, who was represented by Mr Emmanuel Kpojime, commended the CLEEN Foundation for the initiative aimed at promotion of peace and women’s issues.
The Spokesperson of the Benue Command of the Nigerian Police Force, Udeme Edet, assures the foundation of the collaboration and support of the police to achieve the objectives.
Edet added that the command would also carry out sensitisation to communities as a message to foster peace and peaceful co-existence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop had in attendance stakeholders from various ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations and law enforcement agencies.
Others include religious leaders, traditional rulers, media practitioners, HeForShe, women mediators, and market women from Wurukum, Wadata and Modern markets. NAN
