The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Kogi State Branch, has inducted the Special Adviser on Media to the Kogi State Governor, Hon. Ismaila Isah, as an Honorary Member in recognition of his contributions to humanitarian service and public communication.
The investiture ceremony, held in Lokoja, also witnessed the induction of other distinguished personalities including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Aliyu Umar, the State Head of Civil Service, Barrister Falilat Musa and the Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Adekunle Aledare as Honorary Members for their commitment to supporting the humanitarian mandate of the Red Cross Society in the state.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Kogi State Branch, Mr. Benjamin Ajodo described the honorary membership as both a recognition of integrity and an invitation to contribute more to the success to the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross Society.
Ajodo said the Red Cross operates in all the 21 local government areas of Kogi State, responding to disasters, seasonal flooding and other emergencies, while also providing first aid training in schools despite operating with limited resources.
According to him, the Society requires stronger collaboration with the government and development partners to effectively deliver humanitarian services to vulnerable communities.
He identified the lack of a befitting office accommodation as one of the branch’s major challenges, noting that it currently operates from a modest one-bedroom apartment within the premises of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Ajodo also appealed for a fully equipped ambulance and regular government subventions to strengthen emergency response, training programmes and community outreach across the state.
The chairman urged the newly inducted honorary members to uphold the principles of neutrality, impartiality and voluntary service, assuring them that every support received by the Society would be utilised transparently and responsibly.
Responding, Hon. Ismaila Isah, expressed gratitude to the Society for the honour and dedicated the recognition to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
He described the governor as a humanitarian and people-oriented leader whose administration has continued to prioritise the welfare of the of Kogi state through sustained investments in the health sector and other people-centred programmes.
Hon. Isah noted that more than 200 Primary Healthcare Centres have been revitalised across the state over the past two years to bring quality healthcare services closer to the people.
He pledged to use his position as a media practitioner to promote the activities of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and encourage more young people to embrace volunteerism.
“True to the motto of the organisation, ‘Through Humanity to Peace,’ I am committed to supporting this organisation within the limit of my ability,” he said.
Hon. Isah also expressed appreciation his colleagues at the Government House Media Centre, attributing the recognition to their collective efforts.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Kogi State Government to continue to partner with the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other humanitarian organisations in improving the welfare of the people.
