Red Cross wants govt to discourage rural-urban movement

THE Nigerian Red Cross (NRC) has expressed worry over the unabating rural-urban movement among Nigerians, saying the development does not auger well and deserves serious national attention.

   State Chairman of the NRC, Justice Paul C. Obidigwe, who made the observation during his opening speech at the 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM)/State Central Council Meeting held at the NRC headquarters, Amawbia, Anambra at the weekend, further attributed the mass exodus of the rural dwellers to lack of basic necessities of life like lack of adequate power supply, non availability of portable water, lack of employment, absence of command establishments and insufficient good road net work among others.

    Justice Obidigwe who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Prof. Peter E. Katchy however, said his organization has been making efforts to draw attention of Federal and State governments as well as leaders of thought to the development with the aim of halting the trend which is not good to the nation’s industrial cum economic development.

     The meeting drew members of the NRC from within and outside Anambra State, including the state patron Governor Willie Obiano, the National President, Chief Elder Bolaji Anami, Mr. Offor Nwobodo, who was chairman of the occasion and representatives of state security agencies and paramilitary organizations.

    The body also called on the federal and state governments to embark on the following programmes, “To partner the NRCS as experts in conflict resolutions, including rampaging Boko Haram and other restive groups.

    “To carry out a census of all the unemployed youths with a view to having a working figure for future plans to rehabilitate the youths working force.

    “To embark on youth sensitization through the NRC which involves grassroots in mass mobilization of knowledge on religion, peaceful coexistence, et c to reduce idleness and frustration that leads to violence.

   “To emphasize more on vocational and industrial training of youths which is the panacea to national economic growth among others.”

    In his remarks, Prof. Peter E. Katchy explained that the AGN is an occasion for the highest making policy organ to receive and appraise its activities in the past one year, as well as offering opportunity to develop new programs and policies that would help reposition the society for further development, while also rectify and approve all the recommendations and activities of the Central Council Executive Committee (CCEC).

    Maintaining that Anambra branch has over 14,000 volunteers, the vice chairman commended Governor Obiano for introducing the new security system which has guaranteed safety of lives and property of people in the state, adding, “This really encouraged heavy human traffic into the state during the yuletide period.”

 In his remarks, Nwobodo traced the history of the society since 1863, saying it is the oldest humanitarian organization offering services to mankind, which has no religion, political and gender boundaries. 

    He commended the state government, the entire Anambra people and donor agencies for their co-operation and partnership, saying the State branch has achieved a lot on saving lives.

    “The services covers victim of armed conflict, disasters, accident among others. It is a humanitarian society that needs support from all. It is the last home of man, because if the other groups abandon you, the NRC will not”, adding that the management will be accountable for all funds realized.

    Governor Obiano declared the AGM open.