By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Edo State Branch is set to decorate the Chief Executive Officer of Triple M Luxury Hotel Ltd, Amb. Dr. Sunday Osemwengie as one of its Associate Member.
The state chairman of the association, Mr. Monday Edogiawerie, disclosed this when he led members of his executive on a courtesy call on the hospitality mogul in Benin City.
He said the decoration would take place during the official opening ceremony of the 2025 Annual First Aid, Disaster Management and Leadership Training proposed for 19th August, 2025.
According to him “We are delighted to visit you today. This visit is well deserving in view of the high esteem in which you are held by your people and the state as a result of your many contributions to the state.
“The Edo State Branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society pledges support to your endeavour and wishes you enormous success as you continue to demonstrate excellency in hospitality.
“This visit is also part of our lined up of activities to mark this 162 years World Red Cross day/week celebration”,
Mr. Edogiawerie gave a detailed account of how the Red Cross Society came about.
His words “World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is celebrated on the 8th of May every year.
“It may interest you to know that the seed of what we now call the International Red Cross Movement, was planted when a Swiss businessman called Jean Henry Dunant, mobilized volunteers in nearby communities that helped wounded soldiers at the battle of Solferino in 1859 and then lobbied political leaders and other influencers in his home country- Switzerland to take more action to protect victims of war (both combatants and non-combatants alike).
“That singular act of being on the side of humanity which Sir Jean Henry Dunant displayed that day as he organized the treatment of the injured at the Battle of Solferino in 1859 is what has mushroomed into the Global Red Cross Movement”,.
Edogiawerie added that this year, the Edo State Branch of Nigerian Red Cross Society joined in the global celebration by organizing events that aligns with the strategic plans of the National Society focusing on this year’s theme “ON THE SIDE OF HUMANITY”.
He said the theme promotes the idea of giving with a sense of Empathy for humanity acknowledge the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, recognizing our shared human experiences and emotions. It involves compassion, kindness, and a willingness to help others.
Speaking further, he said the Nigerian Red Cross Society’s (NRCS) objectives revolve around alleviating suffering, particularly among vulnerable populations, and promoting humanitarian principles. This includes assisting victims of disasters, epidemics, and armed conflicts, as well as supporting health and social welfare programmes.
He noted that the NRCS also focuses on strengthening its national capacity to respond to emergencies and conflicts, and on fostering a culture of volunteerism and humanitarianism.
The Red Cross works go around promoting humanitarian principles, Strengthening national capacity, Developing and mobilizing volunteers, Promoting health and welfare, disaster preparedness and response, restoring family links, promoting a culture of humanitarianism, financial sustainability and global contribution.
He said everyday they are inundated with news of situations of violence, local conflicts, international armed conflicts, floods, climate crises, building collapses, herders/farmers clashes, earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, heat waves, boat capsizing, while disturbing ones confronting us in Nigeria include banditry attacks, kidnappings, abductions,car jacking, insurgencies and terrorism.
He said it will interest him to know that in the last six months, the act of being On The Side of Humanity has helped them reach over 1,500 beneficiaries with livelihood support to cushion the effect of the 2024 Flood Disaster in Ogbesse in Ovia North East, Ikpe In Ikpoba Okha, Iguoriakhi, Ogbulama and Siluko Communities in Ovia South West all in Edo State Edo State.
The chairman maintained that the Edo State Branch also responded to 2024 MPOX outbreak, Lassa Fever amongst others. Other activities includes; Red Cross School Unit. emergency response during disaster, public health education, restoring family links and prison sanitation programme.
“It is in this act of ‘On the Side of Humanity’ thinking, that informed every action of the Nigerian Red Cross Society as it goes into communities to implement various programmes of all kinds, generally targeted at being kind to people, especially vulnerable populations”, Edogiawerie added.
Responding, Amb. Sunday Osemwengie while thanking the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Edo State branch for the their visit and the proposed decoration, said he is receiving the honour with a great joy noting that such would spur him to do more for humanity.
“I am a member and patron of numerous humanitarian organization already but for the Red Cross, I won’t decline”-Amb Sunday.
“Currently, there are about 150 persons on our pay roll that being assisted, some from my community while others are aged women, pregnant and lactating mothers among others. As long as I’m alive, I will continue to assist the needy”, Osemwengie said.
He said the contributions of the Nigerian Red Cross Society to humanity can’t be quantified noting that they are always at the front lines, risking their own lives for others to live.
The Ambassador however called on Nigerians to join such a voluntary organization like the Nigerian Red Cross Society in order to promote and contribute to the service of humanity.
