The Nigerian Red Cross Society has promised to train members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Borno Council on first aid and safety protocols during emergencies.
State Secretary of the Society Malam Mohammed Barma made the promise when he led officials of the Nigeria Red Cross on a courtesy visit to leadership of NUJ at Press Centre Maiduguri.
Malam Barma described journalists as strategic partners even before the upsurge of Boko Haram insurgency, stressing the need to periodically equip them with new trends of protection and safety protocols.
He pointed out that with increasing incidences of disasters and emergencies, journalists operating in volatile areas such as Borno state need to properly trained on how to protect themselves and respond in case of any eventuality.
“As part of our contribution and in an effort to strengthen existing relationship, we will offer first aid and safety training to members of NUJ Borno Council to update their knowledge and be able to respond during emergency or crisis situation” Barma said.
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Malam Mohammed Barma said Nigeria Red Cross has over 800,000 volunteers across the country out of which eleven thousand are offering humanitarian services in twenty seven local government areas of Borno state.
He decried that despite its contribution in the society, Nigeria Red Cross is not getting the needed support to carry out humanitarian and life saving support, calling on NUJ to promote its activities to better the lives of the citizenry.
Similarly, the leadership of Civil Liberties Organization CLO was at the Press Centre seeking for similar collaboration.
The State Chairman Comrade Mohammed Abba Aji said the organisation has treated more than 500 cases of human rights violations, noting that with strong synergy between the two bodies, the menace of indiscriminate violation of rights will be curtailed.
Responding, Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists Borno State Council Comrade Dauda Iliya assured to work closely with the two organisations to ensure that voices of vulnerable people are projected.
He appreciate them for the visit and acknowledge their contributions towards improving the lives of people of Borno who have been traumatised due to more than decade-long insurgency.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of first aid kits by the Secretary Nigerian Red Cross to the Chairman of NUJ.