Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed readiness to establish an ambulance service and a toll-free line to enable citizens access first responders in cases of emergency.
Obaseki disclosed this during his investiture as state patron of the Red Cross Society, Edo State Chapter, held at Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
He pledged to continue to support humanitarian bodies and donated two ambulances to the Red Cross Society, Edo State Chapter, to enhance its services to during emergencies.
“You are part of our healthcare infrastructure and ecosystem. We will actively collaborate with the society,” he said.
The governor stressed the importance of mobilising students for social and humanitarian work, noting, “This is the kind of society we should all actively support as we begin to regenerate our society. I am committed to the society’s ideals as I was a junior member of Red Cross Society in my primary school days. I appeal to us to look at ways of expanding our membership in educational institutions from primary to tertiary levels. We should pursue active membership and make members be aware and conscious of the role of Red Cross in the society.”
He promised to persuade members of his executive councils to become members of the society to help expand its impact, noting that the government will work with the Red Cross in combating Lassa Fever.
“We are also concerned about Lassa Fever outbreak and we responded swiftly to the issue. We helped the Teaching Hospital in Irrua with facilities to help combat the spread of the disease,” he said.
Obaseki ordered the lifting of the ban on social clubs in schools to enable Red Cross Society operate in public schools as they already have a presence in private schools across the state.
Earlier, State Chairman, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Festus Alenkhe, commended the state governor for his developmental strides, especially in the area of infrastructural development.
He said May 8 was set aside as Red Cross Day globally to celebrate the life of the society’s founder. He said Red Cross, Switzerland, was in the state recently to collaborate with the state Red Cross Society to curb Lassa Fever, train indigenes of Uyi, Ehor and Eguare on how to prevent and manage the disease.
