The Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare has engaged the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi on strategies to sustain the youth empowerment hub and equipment recently handed over to the state government by APIN.

The Honourable Commissioner, Mrs Theresa Odachi Ikwue, said the Ministry would develop a sustainable framework to ensure that the hub continues to serve young people and vulnerable groups through skills acquisition and empowerment.

She disclosed that the Ministry was developing a committee and terms of reference to guide the integration of the necessary components. She stressed the need for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Diocese, a legal framework and effective supervision to ensure that the programme aligns with the Ministry’s mandate. She thanked the Catholic Church for its continued support.

An APIN official, Mr Desmond, explained that the organisation had empowered adolescents, young people and vulnerable persons through skills training in information and communication technology (ICT), programming, makeup artistry, baking and confectionery, fashion design and other areas.

He said the programme, which had previously been funded by the United States Government, was suspended following the withdrawal of funding, prompting the handover. He added that APIN had equipment in Naka, Logo, Otukpo and other locations.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, His Lordship Wilfred Anagbe, emphasised the importance of engaging young people productively through education and skills acquisition to help prevent future insecurity.

He disclosed that the Catholic Church had awarded scholarships to more than 250 children and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to supporting vulnerable people and sustaining the initiative. He described the government and the Church as partners in development and expressed readiness to formalise the collaboration through an MoU.

By Joy Akoh

Information Officer

Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare