Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative, with support from ARISE Foundation has trained 100 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in vocational skills and organised the first-ever IDP Trade Fair in Makurdi. The trade fair took place on Saturday, at LGEA Primary School Wurukum, Makurdi.
In her welcome address, the Country Lead of Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Helen Teghtegh, disclosed that 100 IDPs drawn from five camps were trained in vocational skills and financial management. She said that all participants were provided with starter kits to begin their businesses, stating that the provision of starter kits inspired the organisation of the IDP Trade Fair, describing it as a platform to officially launch the beneficiaries’ businesses.
Mrs. Teghtegh urged members of the public to patronize the participants, noting that the skills acquired would help them become self-reliant, support their families, and reduce the vulnerability that often leads to children being trafficked.
“Verified research about Benue indicates that the state has become a red flag for human trafficking. Many people have been trafficked as a result of displacement and lack of livelihood opportunities,” she said.
The State Coordinator of Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative, Mr. Isaac Kugber, explained that the pilot project, which lasted six months, was designed to address issues of child trafficking in IDP camps across the state. According to him, findings showed that many parents give out their children due to lack of income-generating opportunities.
“For several months, we conducted sensitisation campaigns across five IDP camps to help residents understand what human trafficking is about and the deceptive tactics traffickers use. We also established structures within the camps to help track and report such incidents,” he said.
Mr. Kugber added that camp-based trafficking prevention committees have been set up and trained to recognise trafficking attempts, document cases, and report them appropriately.
The Country Coordinator of ARISE Foundation, Mrs. Chinonso Osuji, said the initiative was evidence-based, noting that research was conducted to identify the needs before the intervention was designed. She commended Community Links and other partners for their commitment to improving the lives of IDPs.
Mrs. Osuji said the trade fair was not just a celebration of people but a celebration of the bridge between vulnerability and stability, and between poverty and independence. She encouraged guests to visit the stands and support the businesses.
The representative of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Director of Administration, Mr. Donald Komgbenda, thanked the organizers for their continuous support to IDPs in the state and assured them of the agency’s collaboration.
Over 100 IDPs from five camps in Benue State were trained in vocational skills such as hairdressing, shampoo production, shoe making, phone repairs, and pastry making, and were provided with starter kits.
The two-day trade fair, holding on Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15, 2026, provides an opportunity for the trained IDPs to showcase and sell their products and services.
