Benue Govt, Fortress360, JDPCI Unite to Improve Lives of IDPs

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has forged a strategic partnership with Fortress360 LLC–Triple Peace Initiative, a social enterprise organization, and the Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), to enhance humanitarian support and create sustainable opportunities for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

The collaboration was unveiled during a high-level tripartite meeting in Makurdi, which brought together key officials from relevant State Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Speaking at the session, the Director-General of the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Dr. Leo-Angelo Viashima, described Fortress360 as the “linchpin” of the state’s renewed drive to deliver impactful social investments.

Viashima explained that Fortress360’s role would go beyond partnership, functioning as a scout and technical backbone for the BICD by identifying funding opportunities, drafting proposals, and providing advisory support to foster growth across multiple sectors. He expressed optimism that the initiative would facilitate more entries into the state’s Social Register, particularly for IDPs from Yelewata community.

The Executive Director of Fortress360, Dr. Paul Nyulaku, disclosed that the organization would soon conduct needs assessments among IDPs to determine skills gaps, evaluate local economies, and identify urgent areas of support, including training, economic empowerment, and psychosocial assistance. According to him, the aim is to help the state government actualize Governor Hyacinth Alia’s vision of inclusive investment covering both capital and social development.

Nyulaku further revealed that in partnership with JDPCI, Fortress360 would strengthen state institutions such as the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), the State Rehabilitation Board, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Bureau for Wealth Creation and Entrepreneurship to ensure long-term sustainability of IDP interventions.

Similarly, the Executive Director of JDPCI Abuja, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni, emphasized that the collaboration would not only provide material and technical aid but also psycho-spiritual support and skills acquisition programs aimed at empowering IDPs.

Representatives of various MDAs at the meeting commended Fortress360’s central role in the initiative and welcomed the focus on technical support, institutional strengthening, and sustainable livelihood pathways as critical steps toward transforming the lives of IDPs in Benue State.