BENIN CITY – The Edo State branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society weekend joined its counterparts across the world to celebrate the 2015 World Red Cross Day.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the day, the state branch chairman, Mr. Moses Obazee said May 8 every year, the Red Cross Society celebrates the World Red Cross Day to remind members and the general public of the selfless service of the founder, Sir Jean Henri Dunant and those who put their efforts towards the establishment of what is today known as the Red Cross Movement, which is the world’s largest humanitarian organization.
He said the fundamental principles of the Red Cross Movement which is the same globally, include humanity, impartiality, neutrality independent, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Speaking on the theme: the fundamental principles of the Red Cross, the resource person, who is also the state branch Secretary/CEO, Mr. Dan-Ehenemwen Enowoghomwenma said the Nigerian Red Cross Society which was established in 1961 through an Act of Parliament, takes seriously the fundamental principles of the Red Cross movement.
He said the principle of humanity tells members to love and have sympathy with empathy on people in distressed condition.
He said based on the principle of impartiality, members of the Red Cross do not discriminate.  He said the movement uses triage when carrying out their duties.
Mr. Eheremwen said the bedrock of the movement is neutrality, saying Red Cross Society members are not judgemental and non-partisan.
Adding that despite the Nigerian Red Cross Society came through act of parliament, it is not dependent on the government for survival.
According to the act of Parliament, members are to serve as auxiliary to the Nigerian government in the area of health, social mobilisation and disaster mitigation.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the state branch and a former Commissioner for Health in Edo State, Dr. Wilson Imogan said the Red Cross was not an NGO, but a voluntary organization with the aim of relieving suffering and disaster.
He said the day marked the 150 years of humanitarian services of the Red Cross movement, while calling on schools that have detachment of Red Cross groups to increase their membership drive.