World Red Cross Day: Taraba Branch Celebrates, Urges Gov Kefas, Others For Financial Support

By Sani Yarima  Jalingo.

The Taraba State branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society joined its counterparts to celebrate the 2024 World Red Cross Day with an appeal to Governor Agbu Kefas for financial support for humanitarian services in the state.

The Theme for this year was "Keeping Humanity Alive" and it was commenced with a road walk by a large number of volunteers in Jalingo, the capital city.

Speaking at the branch's headquarters in Jalingo, the National President of the organization, Oluyemisi Adeaga (JP) said more funds and support are required from Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his spouse, Senator Oluremi Tinubu as Grand Patron and Matron of the Red Cross Society in Nigeria.

Represented by the Taraba State branch Secretary of the Nigeria Red Cross Society Mr. Manja Aggrey Martin, the president also appealed to national patrons in the offices of the nation's Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Judge of the federation, Ministers, and all stakeholders at the national for the same request.

He further throws the same appeal to the state Governors and their spouses who are grand patrons, and matrons for the state branches to grant the society more support than the well-appreciated level of commitment to date.

Additionally, the President made the same appeal to all the Local Government Chairmen and their wives who function as the statutory Divisional Patrons, and Matrons of the society at the LG level.

Furthermore, Oluyemisi Adeaga noted more funds are required from the governments and stakeholders for humanitarian challenges are getting at an astronomical rate while funding dwindling.

Additionally, Adeaga. Appreciated the sacrifices of the heroes of humanity who slumbered into eternity while in active service, adding that it is a day to celebrate the incredible impact that their collective efforts have on the lives of those in need, both in Nigeria and globally.

On his part, the Taraba State branch Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Manja Aggrey Martin said the day was aimed at reflecting on the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary, unity, and universality that guide their work every day.

Martin urged the Taraba state government under the leadership of Dr. Agbu Kefas, and other stakeholders to assist in providing operational vehicles and motorcycles to enhance their humanitarian services, particularly at the remote and hard-to-reach areas in the sixteen (16) LGAs of the state.

In his remarks, Aminu Umar Bashir, a Divisional Development Adviser in the Taraba state branch of the Red Cross appreciated the sacrifices and commitment of the volunteers to the service for humanity and urged them to maintain the tempo.

Also speaking, Mr. A. Yahuza, the Jalingo Divisional Secretary of NRCN, commended the volunteers for their resilience and commitment to the service for humanity and reaffirmed their resolve to continue in that direction.

However, giving a testimony, the Communications officer of the Taraba state branch of the Red Cross, Mrs. Faith William Iro said is a beneficiary of the Red Cross's capacity-building programs and thanked the organization for enhancing her skills educationally.

She advised other volunteers to be dedicated to enabling them to benefit from the many courses they have.

Notably at the occasion were the participation of a two-year-old boy volunteer in the road walk, Taufiq Abubakar Nature, and the cutting of a beautiful Birthday Cake in honour of the visionary founder of the Red Cross movement, the Late Henry Dunant donated by one of the volunteers, Mercy Abasha.