. warns rumour mongers
By Chuks Eke
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, NRCS, Anambra state branch has vehemently denied endorsing any political party or candidate in the fast approaching governoship election in the state.
The society therefore warned that it would not tolerate any clandestine move by individuals or group to drag it into political quagmire, insisting that NRCS is not a political group but an independent, national and impartial humanitarian institution established in Nigeria by Cap 130 of Nigerian Red Cross Act.
In a press statement issued to newsmen via WhatsApp, Executive Secretary of Anambra state
Branch of NRCS, Engr. Kingsley Okoye noted that this Act clearly defined the role of Red Cross as follows:-
“To serve as Auxiliary to public authorities by providing emergency services and disasters risk reduction to every organization (Government, Schools, Campaign rallies, religion organizations) without any discrimination”.
According to Engr. Okoye, “As an Independent organization, the Red Cross determines our modus operandi and conditioner under which we honour invitations and confer honours to individuals and groups based on humanitarian anticidence”.
“As a neutral and impartial organization, the Red Cross services are open to all groups willing to organize large scale events involving crowds with the strict conditions of providing pre-hospital in line with global best practices”.
“The emblem of Red Cross is protected by international treaties and can or will only be used for the purpose of protection as authorized by such treaty and the Red Cross Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the status. Any individual, group or groups attempting to violate these laws are doing so at their own risk”.
He therefore denied that members of the Red Cross have never before, now or in the future declared or mobilized support for or with any political party or parties or individuals for election into public office or any pressure group.
The statement also encouraged all, irrespective of political ambition to respect the dignity of those we serve, adding that it is using this medium to appeal to their media supporters to verify Red Cross activities properly before publishing articles.
