09/05/2025
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) Kogi State Branch on Thursday joined other parts of the world to mark the 2025 World Red Cross Day, with a call to stakeholders in the humanitarian sector for both financial and human supports to enhance its service to the vulnerable.
As part of the events lined up for the celebration, the NRCS staged a Road Walk demonstrating its unwavering commitment to upholding and improving the lives of those in need.
The World Red Cross Day is celebrated on the 8th of May globally in commemoration of the birth of Sir Henry Dunant, who was born 8th May of 1828.
The Maigari of Lokoja, HRH Dr. Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, while addressing members of the NRCS commended the efforts of the Society for their resilience and humanitarian activities targeted at the vulnerables in the society to give them hope and a sense of belonging especially when disaster strikes.
The Royal Father assured them of his support, adding his doors are wide open for any moral support to assist the Red Cross in its onerous assignment.
Addressing newsmen in Lokoja at the end of the exercise, the NRCS Branch Chairman, Benjamin Ajodo disclosed that the event was aimed at sensitizing the public on the activities of Red Cross across the globe.
According to him, the Red Cross has been involved in the alleviation of vulnerable people affected by disaster, epidemics, armed conflicts and the poorest communities in both urban and rural areas such as women, children, aged, displaced and other vulnerable people.
He stated that the 2025 World Red Cross Day theme, “On the Side of Humanity,” highlights the ongoing importance of compassion in times of crisis, noting that the Red Cross reaches out to people across high-risk zones to provide food, shelter, medical services, and other required support.
He explained that the Society requires working tools to enable it continue to initiate programs that support disaster management and the vulnerable in the society through its social outreaches and welfare programs.
Comrade Ajodo however emphasised the need for the state government and other stakeholders in the humanitarian sector to assist the Society with funds and other essential needs such as ambulance, office accomodations and vehicles to ease and make it improve in its service to the people.
“We wish to use this occasion to appeal to the State government and other stakeholders in the state for funding, Ambulances, Office Accomodations and other essentials to enhance our services.
He added that the support would definitely impact positively on the vulnerable and communities affected by disasters and other socioeconomic challenges.
The Branch Chairman said the task to alleviate human suffering is enormous and shouldn’t be left to the Red Cross alone, hence solicited for improved resources and strategic supports.
Also speaking, the Branch Secretary of the NRCS, Comrade Danjuma Ahmed Usman reiterated the unwavering commitment of the members to promote the inclusion of the vulnerable and ensure that they remain relevant.
“Over the years we have been struggling very hard to make sure we put our head above the waters. We are faced with a lot of challenges especially in Kogi state. Ever since the creation of the State, when a portion of the building in SUBEB was given to us as office accomodation, we have not had any improvement over that. We also use our truck as ambulance. We also need subvention.
While acknowledging the robust partnership between the NRCS and the State Emergency Management Agency SEMA in times of emergencies, Comrade Usman assured that the Red Cross will continue to play its role as frontiers in humanitarian support.
