Nigerian Red Cross Society Decorate President Muhammed Buhari as It Grand Patron

The Nigerian Red Cross Society National President, Elder (Chief) Bolaji Akpan Anani, decorated President Muhammed Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Red Cross society, a role entrusted on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the Nigerian Constitution.

President Muhammed Buhari commended the Nigerian Red Cross Society’s Volunteers sacrifices in serving humanity and promised to support Nigerian Red Cross to better serve the vulnerable in the society.

Triplets in an IDP camp, a bundle of joy or sorrow

Mrs Esther Mairiga was heavily pregnant and close to her delivery date when Karamai-Maro –a neighbouring village-was attacked on 26^th of February, 2019 by unknown gun men. She fled with her husband and children carrying no personal belongings including delivery kit.

For Mrs Esther, fleeing her home in the wake of the attack on Karamai Maro community few kilometers away from where she lives was not in the least of her contemplation for an environment always known for peace. She never imagined that ugly incident will occur at all, not to imagine it happening couple of days to her Expected delivery date. But it happened and she and hundreds of others ended up in an IDP camp at Maraban Kajuru.

The dark memories of Brutality that traumatize most internally displaced persons (IDP) gave way to happy moments with the delivery of a set of triplets on the 24^th of March 2019 in one of the IDP camps in Kajuru local government Area of Kaduna state.

“The 3 babies came when I was least ready for them but right now they are the only consolation I have and my game changer” she said.

Mrs Esther did not mince words in describing the joy she now have knowing something good can still happen in spite of the ugly incident she witnessed. However, the happy moment was short lived as the question of how to take care of the triplets with other 2 children before the triplets in an IDP camp rang in her ears.

Her own village, Gidan Gajere, was attacked on Thursday 2^nd of May 2019 at a time she was contemplating going back home as it appeared calm was returning back to the community. Following this attack, the entire village was completely razed down and Esther’s husband lost all their farm products and tools.

For Mrs Esther, her Triplets and two other children, there are no plans of returning home for now though they eagerly would wish to do so.

Life is difficult for her and the babies. She is living largely on gifts and donations from individuals and groups. ‘’The Local government authority arranged Health Personnel to be visiting me and the babies for medical attention and assistance, but I am not seeing much of them” she lamented.

Whenever her babies are sick she does visit the Local Government Clinic where she receives prescriptions and buys from drug stores outside the camp with money received from people and groups. "In the midst of all these, my greatest consolation is seeing my babies alive and safe’’ she said hoping for the best.

The family of Esther is one of the many families who have been assisted in camps by the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS). With support from the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), the NRCS had assisted the IDPs with food and non food items

 A lot is still expected to be done by Government agencies, charity organizations and individuals in order to touch the lives of these infants and thousands of other displaced persons from the Kajuru crisis especially with the high number of orphans recorded 

Red Cross to celebrate 800,000 volunteers in Nigeria

The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) on Tuesday, in Abuja said it was set to celebrate no fewer than 800,000 volunteers across the country in commemoration of the 2019 World Red Cross Day.

Mr Nwakpa  Nwakpa, NRCS Head of Communications and Advocacy in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), said the 2019 World Red Cross Day is commemorated globally on May 8.

Nwakpa said that the 800,000 volunteers and staff would be celebrating their unique relationship with communities across the country in commemorating the day.

Mr Bolaji Anani, the National President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society said, “our volunteers and staff are hard at work across Nigeria every day.

“May 8 is however, a time to celebrate the difference they make in their various communities as well as their response to all kinds of crises while helping people live safer and more dignified lives.

“The Nigerian Red Cross Society reaches millions of people every year with a diverse range of services tailored to the needs of communities across Nigeria.

“From emergency responses, search and rescue, evacuations, disaster risk reduction, cash transfer programmes, to life saving messages, First Aid, prison visits among others.

“We help people to prepare for, cope with and recover from a disaster or crisis,’’ Anani said.

Anani further said that the Nigeria Red Cross had served Nigerians since 1960.

https://sundiatapost.com/2019/05/07/red-cross-to-celebrate-800000-volunteers-in-nigeria/

Red Cross Reaches Out To Inmates, Hospitals, Clinics In Yola

The Nigerian Red Cross Society on Wednesday donated non-consumable items to prison inmates, hospitals and clinics in Yola.