By Peace Aremu
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Kogi State Branch, on Tuesday called for stronger collaboration among government, institutions and influential citizens to expand humanitarian services across the state.
Mr Benjamin Ajogo, State Chairman of the branch made the appeal during the investiture of honorary members in Lokoja.
Speaking on the theme, “The Spirit of Humanity,” Ajodo, described the investiture as more than a ceremonial event, saying it was a strategic initiative to strengthen the society’s humanitarian mission through broader partnerships and community participation.
He said that the Nigerian Red Cross Society remained committed to providing neutral and impartial humanitarian assistance during disasters, health emergencies and other crises affecting vulnerable communities.
According to him, the Kogi branch has continued to play a leading role in disaster response, first aid, health services and other humanitarian interventions aimed at alleviating suffering across the state.
He said that the organisation could not effectively deliver on its humanitarian mandate without strategic partnerships with government, traditional institutions, corporate organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Ajodo appealed to the honorary members to leverage their influence and resources to support the society’s programmes, particularly flood response in riverine communities, first-aid training in schools and other humanitarian interventions across the state’s three senatorial districts.
“The recognition being conferred on you today is also a call to greater responsibility. We urge you to uphold the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and voluntary service,” he said.
He reaffirmed the society’s commitment to reaching vulnerable communities with timely humanitarian assistance and called on well-meaning Nigerians to support its mission of saving lives, reducing suffering and promoting human dignity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those inducted as honorary members included the Kogi Head of Service, Mrs Falilat Musa, Speaker of the Kogi House of Assembly, Mr Aliyu Yusuf, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Ismaila Isah, and the Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Adekunle Aledare.
Earlier, Mr Danjuma Usman, a former Branch Secretary of the society, said that the Red Cross had remained faithful to its core mandate of providing neutral and impartial humanitarian assistance during armed conflicts, disasters and other emergencies.
Usman explained that while the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) primarily operated in conflict zones, National Red Cross Societies, including the Nigerian Red Cross Society, focused on disaster response, health services and community-based humanitarian activities within their respective countries.
He added that honorary membership was not a paid appointment but a distinguished recognition reserved for individuals who had demonstrated exceptional commitment to humanitarian causes through volunteerism, advocacy, funding, policy support and public awareness.
According to him, the honour reflects the institution’s appreciation of individuals whose contributions have strengthened humanitarian service delivery.
(NAN)
