• Stakeholders seek trauma centres for military widows
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Dr Abiodun Essiet, has begun a three-day community dialogue and stakeholder engagement in Benue State as part of efforts by the Presidency to address persistent security challenges and strengthen grassroots peacebuilding initiatives in the region.

The visit, which combines consultations with state authorities and direct engagement with affected communities, forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to deepen community participation in resolving local conflicts while improving coordination on security and border management.

As part of the engagement, the presidential aide held discussions with the deputy governor, Sam Ode, on the security situation in Benue and ways to strengthen collaboration between the Federal Government and the state on boundary and community-related issues.

During the meeting, the deputy governor provided an overview of measures being implemented by the state Government to address security challenges and manage tensions in border communities.

He highlighted ongoing collaboration between Benue and neighbouring states, particularly Taraba and Nasarawa, aimed at tackling cross-border security concerns, land disputes and other communal issues affecting settlements along shared boundaries.

Ode also assured the presidential aide of the state government’s readiness to continue working closely with federal authorities to resolve boundary disputes and improve peace and security in affected areas.

Essiet later paid a courtesy visit to Governor Hyacinth Alia, where she briefed him on the objectives of the three-day engagement and the broader goals of the community dialogue initiative.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange feedback from communities across the state and discuss strategies for strengthening dialogue mechanisms, resolving local disputes and advancing peacebuilding efforts.

Alia welcomed the initiative and shared insights from community leaders and residents across the state, highlighting key concerns affecting local communities.

Among the issues raised by the governor was the poor condition of some federal roads in parts of the state, which he said has contributed to security challenges by slowing the response time of security agencies during emergencies.

According to him, the deteriorating road infrastructure in some rural areas often makes it difficult for security operatives to access affected communities quickly when incidents occur.

To ensure the success of the engagement exercise, the governor pledged the full support of the state government and directed the Department of Peace and Reconciliation, as well as the Community Engagement Unit in the state, to work closely with Essiet’s team throughout the visit.

He said the relevant departments would monitor the activities of the team during the three-day engagement and align them with the state’s ongoing peacebuilding and community dialogue initiatives.

As part of the visit, Essiet is also expected to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation in Kwande Local Council and engage stakeholders across the Benue North-East Senatorial District.

The trip comes against the backdrop of persistent attacks and communal tensions that have affected several communities in the state in recent years.

The presidential aide is also to convene a citizens’ assembly bringing together representatives from Katsina-Ala, Konshisha, Kwande, Logo, Ukum, Ushongo and Vandeikya local government areas as part of efforts to promote peace.

In a related development, defence and security stakeholders have called for the establishment of dedicated trauma support centres for widows of fallen heroes, emphasising the need to provide psychological, emotional and social support to families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.

They noted that many widows continue to face grief, trauma and economic hardship after the death of their spouses, stressing the importance of structured counselling services, rehabilitation programmes and welfare assistance to help them rebuild their lives.

According to them, setting up specialised centres across the country would not only honour the sacrifices of fallen heroes but also ensure their families receive sustained care, dignity and support.

In a keynote address at the Silent Heroes Coterie under the Heroes for Heroes Project, organised by Youth Ablaze in Abuja, Hussaina Bangshika urged the federal and state governments, alongside civil society organisations, to collaborate in providing trauma support services.

The veteran broadcaster said the government must take the lead because the fallen troops died while serving the nation and protecting its territorial integrity.

Bangshika noted that although some support structures currently exist, they remain limited and largely short-term.

She explained that many military wives endure prolonged emotional stress while their spouses are deployed for months at a time, often living with uncertainty about their safety.

According to her, the trauma experienced by military families is cumulative and long-term, making specialised therapy essential for widows and even soldiers returning from conflict zones.

In a goodwill message, health journalist and public health advocate, Moji Makanjuola, said no widow should be made to pay for what her husband fought and died for.

She urged the government to increase investment in the welfare of families of fallen heroes.

Chairman of the organising committee, Lt.-Commander Ibrahim Babainna (rtd), said a nation that hopes to inspire future generations must remember the courage of those who served.

Similarly, convener of the Heroes for Heroes Project, Dr Faith Eches, said the initiative aims to honour courage, celebrate commitment and recognise the sacrifices of individuals contributing to national development.