BENIN CITY- The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has reiterated government readiness to support the humanitarian services of the Nigerian Red Cross Society in the state.

The Deputy Governor said this while declaring open, the 2017, South-South Zonal First Aid, Disaster Management and Leadership Training camp of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

He said that the state has enjoyed a long-term partnership with the Nigerian Red Cross Society in responding to emergency cases.

The Deputy Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Ehigiamusoe, said the state government would continue to support the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other organisations involved in humanitarian services in responding to disaster and emergency cases.

He called on participants at the training to take the exercise with seriousness.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Edo State branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, who doubled as the Camp LOC Chairman, Instructor Festus Alenkhe said the South –South Zonal training camp was a unity event of the South-South region.

He said that after due consideration of the six states that comprised the South-South geo-political region of the country Edo State was chosen.

According to him, the Nigerian Red Cross Society made up of volunteers who are committed towards helping the less privileged in the society and giving first aid to those that need it.

“The South-South Zonal first Aid, Disaster Management and Leadership training, is meant to equip participants with the needed skill that would help promote their professionalism,” he said.

Also speaking, the South-South Zonal Chairman of the Nigerian Red cross Society, Prof. Ngim Nigim, said the training was opened to both Red Cross and non- Red Cross members of the society that are interested in disaster management.

He said the aim of the training camp was to equip participant with emergency and disaster management skills that would aid them in effectively carrying out their humanitarian services.

The immediate past Secretary of the Edo State branch of Nigerian Red Cross Society, and the Executive Secretary of Dan4All Training and Educational services, Dr. Dan-Eheremwen Enogho said the expectation of the training camp is that members and volunteers of the Red Cross that would be trained in the area of disaster management, would go back to their various states and pass what they’ve learnt to other volunteers in order to be able to respond speedily to emergency and disaster cases.

“The general election is coming and some states will even be having elections soon, hence the need to train our members on the best ways to respond effectively to emergency that may come up.

“Though, we don’t pray for any eventuality, but we need to get our ourselves prepared, especially now that the world is being faced with a lot of human and natural disasters,” he noted.

Highlight of the event was investiture and decoration of three new patrons, who were also given certificates of membership.

The three patrons included, National President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Comrade Abdul Rafiu Alani Adeniyi; Bishop Dr. Utibe Ataha Clarence, a Senior lecturer in the faculty of Education, University of Benin and Mr. Goddy Ehiosun Ilenagbe, Director of Administration and General Services, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo Satte.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Comrade Abdul Rafiu Alani Adeniyi said the patronship was a challenge they need to stand up to, describing it as a call to serve humanity.

He said it was also a call for collaboration and integration with those involved in humanitarian services adding that it will spur us to do more.”

The training camp, which has participants from Edo, delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, will end on Saturday September 9 2017.