The Benue State Government yesterday formally launched the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme in Makurdi, marking a renewed drive to strengthen conflict prevention, social cohesion, and climate-resilient livelihoods across the state.
The SPRiNG Programme is a United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) initiative implemented by Tetra Tech International Development in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), and Nextier SPD.
The programme commenced in May 2024 with scoping studies and has since initiated targeted partnerships to address peace, stability, and resilience challenges in Benue State.
The launch event brought together senior government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, community actors, and programme implementers to align on a common framework for supporting peacebuilding systems and resilience outcomes in Benue.
Governor Hyacinth Alia represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, described the programme as timely and strategic, noting that Benue State will continue to treat peacebuilding and resilience as core development priorities requiring coordinated governance, evidence-led action, and accountable partnerships.
The Governor emphasized that Benue’s realities – conflict pressures, land-related disputes, displacement, disrupted livelihoods, and climate shocks – demand interventions that strengthen prevention, response systems, and local peace architecture.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dcns. Deborah Serumun Aber, described SPRiNG as a practical and evidence-led investment that strengthens systems and leaves capacity behind.
Dcns Aber noted that the programme’s value lies in linking analysis to action – supporting early warning and early response, strengthening trusted dispute-resolution pathways, and reinforcing inclusion in peace building.
The SSG also underscored Benue’s resilience and strengths, stating that communities have continued to demonstrate resolve to rebuild livelihoods despite conflict and climate pressures, and called for disciplined implementation that remains people-centred and accountable to measurable outcomes.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Alfred Emberga, who spoke via by Cyril Ikong, affirmed that peace and resilience are enabling conditions for development and citizen wellbeing, and assured stakeholders that the House of Assembly will continue to align with its constitutional responsibilities by providing legislative support where necessary, exercising oversight for transparency and value for money, and ensuring constituency voices are reflected in peace and resilience interventions, with attention to women and youth.
The Director General of the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Dr. Aondoaseer Leon-Angelo Viashima, emphasized three implementation priorities – coordination with clarity, community ownership, and results discipline, stressing that Benue State will insist on outcomes that communities can feel.
He charged all implementing partners, sub-grantees, field consultants, community facilitators, and service providers operating under the SPRiNG framework to take the programme seriously.
Senior Programme Manager, Governance and Stability Block, British High Commission, Abuja, Nkem Uzor, appreciated stakeholder participation and reaffirmed the UK Government’s support for peace and resilience outcomes in the state.
Stakeholders at the event reiterated a shared commitment to ensuring that the SPRiNG Programme delivers practical outcomes for citizens – safer communities, strengthened local peace architecture, restored livelihoods, and improved resilience to climate and conflict shocks anchored on clear coordination and accountability standards.
