First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday called for greater engagement of young Nigerians in voluntary organisations, saying early exposure to humanitarian service would help nurture compassion, patriotism and responsible citizenship.

 

She made the call shortly after she was decorated as the Grand Matron of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) during an investiture ceremony held at the State House, Abuja.

 

Describing the honour as a call to greater service, the First Lady said voluntary organisations provide an effective platform for instilling positive values in young people and encouraging them to contribute meaningfully to society.

 

“If they learn to help from an early age, it will not be difficult for them to continue doing so as adults,” she said.

 

Senator Tinubu urged Nigerians who have the means to support others to do so, stressing that acts of kindness and community service remain essential to nation-building.

 

“I encourage people, if you have the capacity to help a neighbour in whatever way you can, do so,” she said.

 

Commending the Nigerian Red Cross Society for its humanitarian interventions across the country, the First Lady expressed confidence that Nigeria’s challenges could be overcome through collective commitment and purposeful leadership.

 

“There is no challenge that is insurmountable if we have the right will, and we have the political will to do what is right for the nation,” she stated.

 

“Our assignment is a daily call to duty, and we must rise every day to do the work.”

 

She also highlighted the National Food Bank Programme initiated through her office and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), noting that the intervention, which is being implemented across the six geopolitical zones, is designed to eliminate or significantly reduce child malnutrition in the country.

 

Earlier, President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, said the investiture was in recognition of Senator Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to humanitarian service and the welfare of women, children, families and other vulnerable Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Initiative.

 

He described her acceptance of the role as both symbolic and timely, noting that humanitarian action has become increasingly important in the face of growing social and humanitarian challenges.

 

“Today is far more than an investiture; it is a celebration of compassion, service and humility. It reaffirms that in times of uncertainty, hope is sustained by men and women who choose to serve others,” Adeaga said.

 

He noted that the Nigerian Red Cross Society, established by an Act of Parliament in 1960, remains the country’s statutory humanitarian organisation with over 1.5 million volunteers providing emergency relief and humanitarian assistance nationwide.

 

While commiserating with victims of humanitarian crises across Nigeria, Adeaga said every statistic represented families in distress and communities yearning for hope, adding that the Society would continue to work closely with government, security agencies, community leaders and volunteers to alleviate human suffering.

 

He also disclosed plans to establish the Nigeria Academy for Humanitarian Studies, which will serve as a centre for humanitarian education, research and professional development.

 

The investiture ceremony was attended by members of the International Red Cross Movement, development partners and other stakeholders in the humanitarian sector.