By Staff Reporter
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Edo State Branch, has formally invested the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, as the Matron of the Society in the state.
The investiture took place on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Edo State First Aid, Disaster Management and Leadership Training Camp.
The formal recognition was announced by the Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Pastor Monday Edogiawerie, in his welcome address, where he formally welcomed the First Lady into the Red Cross family and expressed optimism about the partnership between her office and the humanitarian organisation.
Representing the National President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Dr. Sidney Osawaru, the Youth, Gender and Capacity Development Adviser at the National Headquarters, Abuja, commended the Edo State Branch for its commitment to humanitarian service.
The representative also appreciated Mrs. Anani for accepting the responsibility and expressing her willingness to partner with the society in advancing humanitarian activities across Edo State.
In her remarks, the First Lady expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Red Cross Society for the honour, pledging her support towards strengthening humanitarian activities and emergency response initiatives across the state.
Mrs. Anani also directed the Edo State Branch to commence preparations for the reactivation of Red Cross units in secondary schools across the state.
She stressed the importance of equipping young people with basic first aid skills, humanitarian values and a spirit of volunteerism and service to their communities.
According to her, exposing students to first aid and humanitarian principles would help build a generation of young people capable of responding effectively to emergencies while contributing positively to society.
Also speaking, the Mothers’ Club Coordinator, Tr. Mrs. Efe-Iyamu Iyabo Elizabeth, called for stronger collaboration between the Office of the First Lady and the Mothers’ Club to promote maternal health initiatives and improve the wellbeing of mothers across Edo State.
She said closer collaboration would provide greater opportunities for addressing issues affecting mothers and strengthening support systems for women and families.
The Mothers’ Club Coordinator rounded off her presentation with the presentation of a customised Mothers’ Club shirt and liquid soap to the First Lady.
The event brought together officials of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, volunteers, members of the Mothers’ Club and other stakeholders, with participants expected to benefit from training in first aid, disaster management and leadership.
