By Stanley Onyekwere
In the wake of commemoration of the International Volunteers Day (IVD) 2023, the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has appealed to the citizenry to embrace volunteerism, in order to enable the nation achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
FEMA’s Acting Director General, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Sabo, said with seven years remaining to make the goals a reality, all hands must be on deck, by working together for our collective good.
Sabo in a statement by Head, Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, said: “ As regards disaster management if all of us work together we will reduce the risk of disasters. Today we are also celebrating the less privileged in the society.
“During response or relief distribution they are the most vulnerable. There must be inclusivity.”
Represented by the Director Relief and Rehabilitation, Engr Abdul Rahman Mohammed, FEMA boss who noted that the agency has about 500 volunteers, said most volunteers lacked the training and skill set required for emergency response.
He added that FEMA trains and re-trains its volunteers to improve their skills and knowledge.
Also speaking, the Assistant Director , Nigerian National Volunteer Services in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Emma Agodi said the federal government recognizes the contributions of volunteers to national development and is mainstreaming their activities in line with the National Volunteer policy launched in 2020.
Also, speaking on the theme, “ If everyone did”, the Country Coordinator United Nations Volunteer Programme in Nigeria, Mrs Veronica Obiuwevbi said it calls for collective action of people to bring their skills and demand for change and to cause a change.
On the challenges faced by volunteers, the deputy national coordinator, National Association of Voluntary Uniform Organisations, Abdulrazak Shuaibu said most people don’t respect volunteers and see them as persons without meaningful profession.
The Red Cross Volunteer Coordinator, Mrs. Rosemary Ordu identified paucity of funds and attacks on volunteers while on the field as major challenges hampering their activities in the Country.
For Atunwa Damilare , a physically challenged volunteer, who decried the discrimination against persons living with disability particularly in the area of access, however commended the UNV for it’s zero discrimination and inclusivity.
According him,” if you can deliver the UNV is willing and ready to absorb you”
The IVD is celebrated every 5th of December.
