From Mary Obi, Anambra
The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has commended the courage, compassion, and selfless service of humanitarian workers and volunteers of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the global International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for their continued support to vulnerable communities during crises.
Dr. Soludo gave the commendation in a statement issued on Friday, to mark this year’s World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, where she praised the unwavering sacrifices of Red Cross personnel in disaster response, healthcare delivery, emergency interventions, and humanitarian support services across the world.
“Today, we celebrate the courage, compassion, and selfless service of the men and women of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the global International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, whose unwavering sacrifice continues to bring hope to humanity in times of crisis,” she said.
She described compassion as a powerful tool for healing and social unity, stressing that the Red Cross movement has continued to uphold the values of humanity, dignity, neutrality, and voluntary service in communities affected by disasters, disease outbreaks, displacement, and other emergencies.
According to her, humanitarian organisations play critical roles in supporting public health systems through emergency healthcare services, blood donation drives, maternal and child health advocacy, disease prevention campaigns, and relief assistance for displaced and underserved populations.
“On this World Red Cross Day, we are reminded that compassion remains one of the greatest forces for healing and unity. From disaster response to healthcare support and crucial humanitarian interventions, the Red Cross continues to stand for compassion, dignity, and service to humanity,” Dr. Soludo stated.
She further called for stronger collaboration among governments, humanitarian institutions, healthcare stakeholders, and communities to improve emergency preparedness and strengthen support systems for vulnerable citizens.
Dr. Soludo also urged Nigerians to embrace kindness and collective responsibility by supporting humanitarian causes and extending care to people facing hardship within their communities.
“As we honour these everyday heroes, let us all embrace the spirit of humanity by extending love, care, and support to the vulnerable people around us. Together, we can build a more compassionate and resilient society where everyone is safe, happy, and secure,” she added.
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is observed annually on May 8 to honour the contributions of millions of volunteers and humanitarian workers globally. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate.