Benue SPHCB

Ag. ES BNSPHCB, PHARM. MBATSORON SUPERVISES UNICEF-SUPPORTED IYCF TRAINING IN OJU LGA

BY GRACE AKURE
18/09/2026

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board (BNSPHCB), Pharm. T. Mbatsoron, on Friday led a supervisory team to Oju Local Government Area to assess the ongoing Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) training being implemented by the Board's State Nutrition Team.

The visit forms part of the Board's routine supervisory and oversight function to ensure quality assurance, adherence to national guidelines, and effective delivery of counseling sessions for the formation and strengthening of community-based IYCF support groups.

Pharm. Mbatsoron monitored training sessions, interacted with facilitators and participants, and assessed compliance with the standard training modules and counseling tools for support groups at the ward level, including in areas such as Ibilla Council Ward where new support groups have been formed.

The IYCF program is a key high-impact, UNICEF-supported nutrition intervention designed to improve child survival, growth and development. It focuses on promoting:

- Early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life
- Timely introduction of adequate, safe and age-appropriate complementary feeding from six months
- Continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond, alongside best hygiene and child care practices

The initiative is community-driven, relying on trained IYCF support groups made up of mothers, fathers, grandmothers and community influencers to provide peer-to-peer counseling and support at the grassroots.

Funded by UNICEF and implemented by the Benue State Primary Health Care Board through its Nutrition unit, Directorate of Community Health Services, the program is part of broader efforts to reduce malnutrition, stunting and childhood morbidity in Benue State.

The current batch of training in Oju and Gboko LGAs is scheduled to last for three days (17th-to-19th), after which the newly trained support groups are expected to cascade key IYCF messages and conduct regular counseling sessions within their respective communities.

GRACE AKURE
INFORMATION OFFICER
BENUE STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BOARD
18/09/2026

🌟 EXCITING UPDATE FROM IBILLA!🌟

We are happy to announce the successful Formation & Counseling Sessions of 5 Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Support Groups at Ibilla Council Ward, Oju LGA, Benue State! 🤱👶

💪 5 Strong Groups Formed
👩‍👧‍👦 Mothers empowered with lifesaving knowledge
🗣️ Interactive counseling sessions held

Key topics covered:
✅ Exclusive Breastfeeding for the first 6 months
✅ Timely introduction of nutritious complementary feeding from 6 months 🥣
✅ Continued breastfeeding up to 2 years & beyond
✅ Hygiene, proper food preparation & child care

Together, we are building a healthier generation, one child, one mother, one community at a time! ❤️

Big thanks to all our facilitators Bernard Terkende, Rejina Ejale, Sunday Akaa, Benjamin Ugba, health workers, community leaders and our amazing mothers for their active participation! 🙏

📍 Ibilla Ward, Oju LGA, Benue State




Shorter version for WhatsApp Status:

🤱 SUCCESS! We formed & counseled 5 IYCF Support Groups in Ibilla Ward, Oju LGA, Benue State today! 👶🥣
Empowering mothers on exclusive breastfeeding & healthy complementary feeding for healthier babies! 💪❤️

🌟 *FIELDWORK IN ACTION!* 🌟
👶🏽🍎 Gboko LGA

As part of the ongoing *Infant & Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Training* supported by *UNICEF* in collaboration with *BNSPHCB*, our Nutrition Team hit the field! 💪🏽

📍 *Location:* Gboko North West Ward, Gboko LGA

We didn't just train, we took ACTION! During the fieldwork practice, we successfully formed 4️⃣ new Community Support Groups to champion optimal nutrition for our mothers and babies:

✅ 1. Zaki Bito Support Group
✅ 2. Zaki Shikaan 1 support Group
✅Oranyam Support Group
✅Zaki Shikaan 2 Support Group

BENUE RECEIVES ESSENTIAL MEDICINES DONATION FROM IOM

BY GRACE AKURE

The Benue State Government has received a donation of essential medicines from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the SIDPIN Project in Makurdi.

The donation was made to the State Ministry of Health through the State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB) on Friday 18th September.

Speaking during the handing-over ceremony held at the SPHCB headquarters, Dr. Paul Ogwuche commended the leadership of IOM for its humanitarian response and support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yelwata and Agagbe IDP camps in Guma and Gwer-West LGAs.

Receiving the consignment on behalf of the State Government, the Commissioner appreciated the organisation for the gesture and assured of judicious use and equitable distribution of the commodities to deserving beneficiaries.

Presenting the commodities on behalf of the Head of the National Office, IOM, Mr. Francis Ukonu said the organisation has worked in close collaboration with the State Government and other relevant health authorities.

He explained that the SIDPIN Project is EU-funded and supports durable solutions for internally displaced persons by strengthening government-led systems, access to basic services and community resilience. In Benue State, the health component was implemented by the IOM, UNHCR and UN-Habitat consortium.

Mr. Ukonu disclosed that the intervention prioritised government ownership through the training of Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and community volunteers. This, he said, strengthened the capacity of frontline personnel to provide essential services and respond effectively to the health needs of displaced persons, returnees and host communities.

Speaking on the Mobile Health Outreach, Michael Nwune, the Benue State Focal Person for IOM Durable Solutions, said from February to July 2026, IOM, in collaboration with the Benue State Government, supported government-led mobile health outreach services in Yelwata, Guma, and Agagbe, Gwer West LGAs.

According to him, the outreach brought essential primary healthcare closer to underserved populations while strengthening linkages with existing government health structures.

Highlighting the services provided, Mr. Nwune said the outreach provided integrated services including immunisation, antenatal and postnatal care, malaria management, respiratory disease services, NCD screening and management, health education, referrals and other primary healthcare services.

He noted that these interventions contributed significantly to improved access to essential healthcare for displaced persons, returnees and host communities.

Mr. Nwune acknowledged that the continued support of the Benue State Government from inception in February 2026 through conclusion in July 2026 was central to the success of the intervention.

He added that the collaboration strengthened government capacity, frontline service delivery and the use of existing health infrastructure, while reducing reliance on parallel humanitarian systems.

The State Focal Person noted that the handover of the remaining medication provided within the project period marks an important transition towards government ownership and continuity of healthcare services beyond the project-supported outreach period. It ensures that the investment in medicines, trained personnel and service-delivery capacity can continue to support communities through established government structures.

“The experience from Yelwata and Agagbe provides a practical model for integrating humanitarian health interventions into government systems under the durable solutions approach,” he stated.

Nwune further emphasized that lessons learned from the intervention will support efforts to streamline and potentially scale the model to other displacement-affected LGAs across Benue State, subject to government priorities, needs and available resources.


-Habitat

GRACE AKURE
INFORMATION OFFICER
BENUE STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BOARD
18/09/2026

BENUE SPHCB NUTRITION TEAM GEARS UP FOR IYCF TRAINING IN FIVE LGAs

BY GRACE AKURE

The Benue State Primary Health Care Board, BNSPHCB, Nutrition Team on Thursday, 16th September, held its final planning and orientation meeting ahead of the Community Infant and Young Child Feeding, IYCF, training programme.

The meeting, which was held at the Board's headquarters in Makurdi, was convened to fine-tune strategies for the rollout of the training scheduled to hold in Primary Health Care Centres, PHCs, across five selected Local Government Areas in the three senatorial zones of the state. The benefiting LGAs are Katsina-Ala, Gboko, Gwer-West, Ohimini and Oju.

The training, a UNICEF-funded activity being implemented by the BNSPHCB, is part of ongoing efforts to promote maternal and child nutrition in Benue State.

Speaking on the importance of the intervention, facilitators noted that the first 1,000 days of life, from conception to a child's second birthday, represents the most critical window for brain development, physical growth and lifelong health. Optimal nutrition, health and nurturing care practices during this period are essential for shaping healthy feeding habits and improving child survival.

The training is designed primarily, to equip community health workers with the knowledge and counseling skills required to support mothers and other caregivers on appropriate IYCF practices during the first 1,000 days.

According to the work plan, the orientation was necessary to guide nutrition officers on their expected roles in the field, particularly in counseling and educating health workers and community volunteers on the benefits of breastfeeding for children under five years.

The session featured a step-by-step counseling guide on maternal nutrition, breastfeeding best practices and complementary feeding, led by the External Supervisor, Mrs. Regina Ejele.

Under the programme, the Nutrition Team is expected to conduct a 3-day intensive training and counseling for health workers and community volunteers on the importance of Infant and Young Child Feeding.

The team will also facilitate the formation of Community Volunteer Support Groups, comprising 15 persons at the ward level. The groups will be tasked with encouraging pregnant women to attend antenatal care, promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and sustaining breastfeeding alongside age-appropriate complementary foods up to two years and beyond.

Key topics to be covered by State Facilitators during the 3-day training include: Why IYCF matters in the first 1,000 days, nurturing care and maternal nutrition; how to counsel; recommended breastfeeding practices; how breastfeeding works and complementary feeding/foods; management of feeding difficulties; field practice on IYCF counseling and feedback; feeding the sick child; facilitating small group counseling sessions; infant feeding in the context of HIV; CHW support for IYCF in emergencies; providing responsive care; and a post-assessment test, among others.

The orientation meeting was held under the supervision of the State Nutrition Facilitator, UNICEF, Mr. Benjamin Ugba, and had in attendance the Assistant State Nutrition Officer, Ann Tor; Dr. Daagema Anastasia from the Ministry of Health; and Nutrition Officer, Bernard Gbagir.

GRACE AKURE
INFORMATION OFFICER
BENUE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BOARD
16/09/2026

UNICEF CONCLUDES TWO-DAY HACT TRAINING FOR IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS IN BENUE AND KOGI

By Grace Akure
10/09/2026

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday, September 10th, officially wrapped up a two-day capacity building workshop on the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) for implementing partners in Benue and Kogi States.

Held at Nnam Hotel in Makurdi, the training was designed to strengthen the capacity of program and desk officers, accountants, and Chief Executive Officers of partner organizations, to apply the HACT framework in line with UNICEF’s standards for mutual accountability, financial documentation, and reporting.

HACT is UNICEF’s risk-based framework for managing and monitoring cash transfers to implementing partners, with the goal of promoting transparency and value for money in programme delivery.

The sessions provided an in-depth discussion of HACT’s three core objectives: aligning support with national priorities, reducing transaction costs, and strengthening national systems. Participants also engaged in detailed sessions on the four pillars of HACT: capacity assessment, cash disbursement, assurance activities, and capacity development in financial management.

The sessions combined presentations with practical exercises to help participants align their financial and program management processes with UNICEF requirements.

On Day 2, participants engaged in practical sessions facilitated by Mrs. Glory Ogbonna. She took participants through the cash disbursement process, with particular focus on the FACE Form — Funding Authorization & Certificate of Expenditures, and quarterly disbursement approach for requesting and reporting funding.

Mrs. Ogbonna broke down the three modalities of payment under the HACT framework and supporting documents that partners must complete under each payment type:
- Requesting Direct Cash Transfer
- Requesting direct payment
- Reimbursement

The practical walkthrough was aimed at reducing errors in FACE submissions and improving turnaround time for fund releases to field activities.

Mrs. Glory Ogbonna also facilitated the ethics, integrity, and fraud awareness session. The session provided an overview of UNICEF’s Ethics and Integrity framework, highlighting fraud prevention, zero tolerance for fraud and misconduct, accountability, and the responsibility of all personnel to report concerns.
She further emphasized that, ethics and integrity are essential to safeguarding resources meant for children, maintaining stakeholder trust, and protecting UNICEF’s reputation, nothing that UNICEF maintains a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, corruption, harassment, abuse of authority, and retaliation against anyone who reports concerns.

Also Day 2, Maureen Zubie Okolo delivered a presentation on PSEA — Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Assault — as it relates to UNICEF staff and beneficiaries.

Her session covered the systems and processes around sexual exploitation and abuse, key PSEA messages for staff and communities, and the reporting channels available to beneficiaries and partners.

She emphasized UNICEF’s zero-tolerance policy and the obligation of all implementing partners to uphold safeguarding standards in program implementation.

The training drew implementing partners from both Benue and Kogi States. It concluded with the administration of a post-test to assess participants’ understanding of the topics covered over the two days.

Speaking on behalf of UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Mrs. Maureen Zubie Okolo said, the workshop is part of ongoing efforts to build partner capacity and ensure that cash transfers to support children’s programs are managed in accordance with global accountability standards.

She commended the Benue State government for its commitment to ensuring children have access to quality healthcare, education, good nutrition and protection.



GRACE AKURE
INFORMATION OFFICER
BENUE STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BOARD
10/09/2026

UNICEF HOLDS 2-DAY HACT TRAINING FOR KOGI, BENUE IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

BY GRACE AKURE

UNICEF has commenced a 2-day capacity building workshop on the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers, HACT, for implementing partners and program officers drawn from Kogi and Benue states.

The training, holding at Nnam Hotel in Makurdi, is aimed at strengthening systems for managing cash transfers and providing technical support to Primary Health Development Agencies, across the two states.

HACT is UNICEF’s global framework for managing cash transfers to government and non-government partners. It is designed to ensure funds are used judiciously, with emphasis on transparency, accountability, and measurable results in humanitarian and development programs.

Delivering the welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Benue State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Orinya Ogenyi, described the training as timely.

He said the training "is coming at a very important time when governments and development partners are making concerted efforts to strengthen social protection and improve the welfare and resilience of vulnerable households across Nigeria."

Mr. Ogenyi explained that cash transfers remain a critical social protection tool for providing timely financial support to poor and vulnerable households.
"For these interventions to achieve their desired impact, there is a need for a coordinated and harmonized approach to beneficiary identification, targeting, enrolment, payment, monitoring, accountability, and grievance redress," he stated.

He urged participants to actively engage, share field experiences, and contribute practical ideas that can improve program implementation in their respective states and communities.

The Permanent Secretary also appreciated UNICEF, facilitators, development partners, and all participants for their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s social protection architecture.
He expressed confidence that "the knowledge gained from this training will contribute to more effective, transparent, and inclusive cash transfer programs and ultimately improve the lives of vulnerable Nigerians."

Also speaking, Mrs. Maureen Zubie Okolo, representing the UNICEF Enugu Field Office, welcomed participants to what she called "the all important HACT training designed to equip implementing partners with the knowledge on how to ensure funds received are judiciously used."

She noted that effective cash management is central to delivering services at the community level, particularly through PHCs that serve as the first point of care for many vulnerable families.

Key highlights of the workshop included presentations by UNICEF facilitators.
Mrs. Glory Ogbonna took participants through an overview of HACT, covering its core principles of ownership, alignment, harmonization, mutual accountability, and managing for results.

She also provided a deep dive into the 4 pillars of HACT:
1. Capacity assessment
2. Cash disbursement and reporting
3. Assurance activities
4. Capacity development

The session further covered both macro and micro assessments required under the framework to evaluate partner systems before funds are released.

Mrs. Maureen Zubie Okolo also delivered a presentation on the development of quality proposals, emphasizing the need for clear objectives, realistic budgets, and strong monitoring plans.

The 2-day workshop is expected to end with action plans from Kogi and Benue teams on how to domesticate HACT principles in ongoing health, nutrition, and social protection programs.

With Nigeria scaling up social protection to cushion economic shocks, partners say harmonized approaches like HACT are vital to ensuring that support reaches the right people, at the right time, and with proper accountability.

Benue State implementing Partners in attendance included the State ministry of health and human services, State Primary Health Care Board, Benue State Budget and Economic planning commission, ministry of information and orientation, Ministry of women Affairs, BERWASSA, National population commission & JASPI

GRACE AKURE
INFORMATION OFFICER
BENUE STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BOARD
09/09/2026

BENUE HEALTH STAKEHOLDERS REVIEW ICCM PERFORMANCE, IDENTIFY GAPS IN LOGISTICS AND SUPERVISION

The Benue State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Benue State Primary Health Care Board and partners, on Monday, 31st August, convened a review meeting at the BNSPHCB Conference Hall in Makurdi to assess findings from recent field monitoring visits and to map out actions for strengthening Integrated Community Case Management, ICCM, across the state.

ICCM is a PATH-supported program designed to increase access to early treatment for the four major childhood killers: malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, and malnutrition in children under five years. The approach relies on trained community health workers, known as corps, to diagnose and treat common illnesses at the community level and refer severe cases to health facilities.

In his opening remarks, the Acting Executive Secretary of BNSPHCB, Pharm. Samuel Mbatsoron, welcomed participants and commended PATH for its continued funding and technical support to ICCM in Benue.

He gave a key assurance to stakeholders, pledging that through the IMPACT Project Drug Revolving Fund, DRF, essential ICCM commodities will be supplied to LGAs on or before the end of October to prevent stock-outs and sustain service delivery.

The Director of Community Health Services, Joseph Ude, in his welcome address, lauded PATH for its sustained efforts to revive ICCM in the state after years of implementation gaps. He wished participants a fruitful deliberation.

Also speaking, Dr. Iornenge Ikuren, on behalf of the State Coordinator for PATH, thanked the Ministry of Health, BNSPHCB, and all participants for their continued support and collaboration, and urged for an impactful session focused on practical solutions.

Giving her monitoring report, Mrs. Iveren Anongo, State ICCM Focal Person, who visited Ushongo LGA, said corps are implementing ICCM activities smoothly. However, she noted isolated cases of commodity stock-outs that need urgent attention.

Dr. Daniel Ona, a National Trainer from the College of Health Technology, Agasha, who monitored Okpokwu LGA, highlighted several systemic challenges. According to him, logistics were not properly distributed to corps in some communities. He also observed irregular supportive supervision, with most corps not completing their supervision coverage activities.

Dr. Ona further stressed the need for refresher training for corps, reported a lack of data recording and reporting tools, a weak referral system, and gaps in the supply of non-malaria ICCM commodities such as ORS, Zinc, and Amoxicillin.

Providing an update on supplies, Pharm. Timothy Umanger of the Logistics Management Coordinating Unit, LMCU, informed the meeting that malaria commodities have already been secured and distributed to facilities across the state.

Other highlights of the meeting included:
1. Presentation of Objectives by Mrs. Iveren Anongo, State ICCM Focal Person.
2. Presentation of Key Findings from the quarterly monitoring exercise by Liambee Abanyi of SMEP M&E.
3. Review of Findings from monthly community-level data validation meetings and supportive supervision visits.

Stakeholders agreed that addressing commodity stock-outs, strengthening logistics, ensuring regular supervision, and equipping corps with data tools and refresher training will be critical to improving ICCM implementation before the peak malaria season.

With the pledge for DRF commodity supply by October and renewed partner coordination, health officials expressed optimism that ICCM will significantly reduce under-five morbidity and mortality in Benue State.

The meeting ended with a call for all LGAs to intensify community mobilization and data reporting to track the impact of ICCM interventions.

GRACE AKURE
INFORMATION OFFICER
BENUE STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BOARD
31/08/2026