Respect Human Rights; Red Cross Begs Buhari

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Nigerian Red Cross Society, NRCS, Anambra state Chapter
yesterday called on the Nigerian President-elect, General Mohammadu Buahri to ensure that the goodwill of Nigerians are not thrown to the trash can by ensuring he respects the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.

The State Chairman of NRCS, Hon. Justice Peter Obidigwe made the call in Awka, Anambra State capital in an address to commemorate this year’s World Red Cross Day. He said Buhari must reciprocate the magnanimity of millions of Nigerians who voted him during the just concluded presidential election in the country by being pro people.

Justice Obidigwe, whose views were presented by the State Vice Chairman of the NRCS, Prof. Peter Emeka Katchy observed that fundamental human right reigns supreme in democracy, noting that citizen’s right need not to be infringed upon when he assumes office as democratically elected president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Speaking further, Justice Obidigwe, who was the emeritus Chief Judge of Anambra State proclaimed that Nigerian Red Cross Society Anambra state chapter has in 2014 responded to many emergencies in the state, including the tragedy in the Holy Ghost Ministry, Uke, building collapse at Udi Street Fegge and St Christopher’s Church in Onitsha respectively.

On the theme of this year’s Nigerian Red Cross Day, “Seven Fundamental Principles” Obidigwe identified Red Cross seven Principles to include: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality which he said were adopted in 1986 at the International Conference of the Red Cross in Vienna.
He nevertheless commended the media for their support to the Nigerian Red Cross Society Anambra state chapter during the presidential and House of Assembly elections held in the State, which he described as peaceful and fair.

Responding, the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano while declaring open the 2015 Red Cross Day however revealed that government is making frantic efforts to improve the lives of its citizens which he said, the Nigerian Red Cross Society is actively involved.
Gov. Obiano, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike maintained that such efforts were manifested in the recent procurement and provision of seventeen flying boats to the riverrine areas to ensure rapid dispensation of health services and prompt responses to emergencies.

According to him, “we have an ambulance as part of the governor’s convoy which shows the readiness to offer first aid at emergency periods which is exactly what Nigerian Red Cross Society, Anambra state is identified with” even as he noted that the administration is working assiduously hard to upgrade the General hospitals in Onitsha, Enugwu-Ukwu and Ekwulobia with state-of-the-art facilities to meet the modern challenges of medicine and also reduce medical tourism to other parts of the world.

The governor further said that the state has also mapped out special incentive for doctors at the riverrine areas which according to him will ensure that the people living at such places will have access to quality health.