Lagos, Feb. 28, 2027 (NAN) The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Lagos State Branch, says deeper collaboration with government, corporate organisations and international partners will significantly expand its humanitarian reach across the state.
The branch chairman, Dr Adebola Kolawole, said this during the branch’s 58th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday in Lagos.
Kolawole said the future of humanitarian response in Lagos depended on sustainability, inclusivity, impact measurement, advocacy and collaboration.
She said the gathering was not merely a procedural event but a pivotal moment for reflection, accountability and strategic renewal.
Kolawole said the branch’s vision was to set standards in humanitarian service delivery.
“A branch that becomes a household name in serving the vulnerable across Lagos State,” she said.
She noted that the branch had made meaningful impact in countless lives with the support of the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, volunteers, donors, the National Headquarters, the British Red Cross , International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Among key achievements in the past year, she listed the investiture of Sanwo-Olu as Patron of the Lagos Branch, sustenance of the Nigerian Red Cross Nursery and Primary School, equipping and ongoing registration of the Red Cross Medical Laboratory, as well as continued maintenance of the Motherless and Abandoned Babies Home established in 1964.
Kolawole, however, said finance remained the branch’s greatest challenge, noting that limited resources hindered full implementation of programmes.
“To elevate our capacity for disaster response and humanitarian outreach, critical areas require immediate support,” she said.
She identified ambulances, disaster response equipment, a solar power system for its orphanage, school and administrative block, and provision of Personal Protective Equipment for its Emergency First Aid Team.
According to her, the proposed solar project will provide stable electricity and reduce the cost of fueling generating sets, while ambulances and field equipment will strengthen emergency response and promptness in saving lives.
In his remarks, National President of the society, Oluyemisi Adeaga, urged members and new inductees to see themselves as global humanitarian ambassadors.
“You are not even a member of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
“You are a member of an international world Red Cross organisation whose services can be needed anywhere,” he said.
He urged volunteers to become resources, serving as brand ambassadors and handling marketing tasks.
Adeaga called for closer integration of Red Cross volunteers into Lagos State’s disaster preparedness architecture, especially in emergency medical and water transport services.
“We don’t prefer accidents but they do occur and we don’t need to be searching for who can do it.
“You have these volunteers. Please ensure that they are included into the programme of Lagos State in a manner that they will be very relevant to effectively prepare for disaster anywhere it occurs,” he said. (NAN)
