Ondo 2020: Red Cross Society Expresses Readiness To Deploy Volunteers

17^th July 2020

The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has expressed its readiness to deploy volunteers to all the 18 Local Government Areas in Ondo State to provide humanitarian services and respond to emergency situations that could occur during the governorship election scheduled for 10^th October 2020.

Chairman of the Ondo State branch of the NRCS, Mr. Sunday Adeniyi who made the offer when he led a team on a courtesy visit to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ondo State, Ambassador Rufus Akeju in Akure recently, also disclosed that as an apolitical organization that provides voluntary First Aid assistance to the people, its volunteers took part in the 2019 general election without visiting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said the Society has volunteers stationed all the 18 Local Government Areas in the state who have been trained on emergency rescue situations, especially during this period of COVID-19 pandemic. Adeniyi said the Society recognized the need for synergy and collaboration with the Commission in order to strengthen the electoral process.

He disclosed that the NRCS was established in 1960 by an Act of Parliament to provide humanitarian services to the people.

Responding, Dr Akeju appreciated the NRCS for its humanitarian services to the nation as well as its interest and readiness to participate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the State.

He however advised the Society to apply to the national headquarters of INEC through its office in Abuja for participation in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State. He stated that the said election will be conducted with strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines as contained in the Commission’s Policy for Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, which is aimed at mitigating the challenges thrown-up by the pandemic. 

He maintained that while trainings are being organized for security agents and other Stakeholders, other measures like the wearing of face have been put in place to ensure a successful governorship election.