From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society has celebrated a significant milestone on Sunday evening with its inaugural award night.
This event aimed to honor volunteers, partners, and staff while encouraging the community to support the organization in light of a challenging global funding climate.
The ceremony took place at the Red Cross headquarters in Kaduna, bringing together volunteers, collaborators, supporters, and friends of the Nigerian Red Cross for a night of recognition, reflection, and hope for the coming year.
Mr. Abdullahi Jibrin, Chairman of the Kaduna Red Cross Chapter, opened the event with a welcoming address, emphasizing the unique nature of the gathering. “We want to make a difference,” he stated, noting that this was the first award night in the chapter’s history. “Something like this has never happened before, so we needed to bring our volunteers together, along with our collaborators, supporters, and friends, so we can come together, relax, enjoy ourselves, and start the new year with renewed purpose.”
Vice Chairman Mrs. Comfort Anche echoed his sentiments, highlighting the importance of visibility and solidarity. She explained that the event was designed not only to celebrate achievements but also to signal to the world that the Red Cross remains a beacon of brotherhood and humanitarian action. “We stick together, assess our situation, acknowledge the truth, and recognize the problems we face in our communities,” she urged attendees to continue their collaborative efforts.
Both leaders addressed the harsh realities facing humanitarian organizations globally. “With the current situation in the world, our supporters, like the ICRC and IFRC, are reducing funding for organizations like the Red Cross due to numerous conflicts,” Mr. Jibrin noted. He added that policies from the previous Trump administration had further strained resources, making it essential to “bring all the friends we can get” to sustain operations.
The chairman outlined the broader purpose of the event: to gather people, raise the visibility of the Red Cross, and inspire collective action. “By doing this, we aim to make ourselves more visible to the world so that when we speak, we can say, ‘Let’s join hands and see how we can help those in crisis.’ We want everyone to be willing to partner with us to continue our humanitarian work,” he explained.
Mrs. Anche highlighted the event’s interactive nature, which combined award presentations with open discussions on humanitarian challenges. “We made new friends and discussed important issues related to humanitarian activities,” she said, emphasizing that the dialogue was just as valuable as the recognition itself.
The event also acknowledged the tireless efforts of volunteers who often risk their lives without any monetary reward. Mr. Jibrin recounted the bravery of Red Cross workers during recent crises, including a train attack and a plane crash, where volunteers were actively involved in rescuing victims. “This award will encourage them to do more for society,” he affirmed, noting that many volunteers work “free of charge” in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and other severely affected areas.
In a special segment, the Red Cross highlighted its funding structure, which heavily relies on contributions from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other partners. “We sponsor and pay salaries to management staff, supply funds to all branches, and provide food materials for IDP camps,” Mr. Jibrin explained, pointing to a storage facility filled with aid supplies.
Looking ahead to 2026, both leaders expressed optimism despite the funding challenges they face. “The year is ending, and we are about to embark on another challenging year,” Mr. Jibrin said, calling on all supporters to remain engaged. Mrs. Anche added, “Our hopes for 2026 are that we will continue to receive the backing of the ICRC, IFRC, and all our friends so we can keep helping those in crisis.”
The award night concluded with the presentation of several honors, including a “Humanitarian Champion” award to a standout volunteer and a “Lifetime Commitment” recognition for a long-serving staff member.
As the ceremony drew to a close, attendees lit candles, symbolizing the enduring flame of compassion that the Red Cross strives to maintain across Kaduna and beyond.
With a renewed sense of purpose, a stronger network of partners, and a clear message, the Kaduna Red Cross Chapter left the evening inspired: in times of uncertainty, solidarity remains the organization’s greatest strength, and together, they will continue to serve the most vulnerable in 2026 and beyond.
