By Ikenna Nwokedi 

The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Anambra State Branch have commenced activities for the 2024 World First Aid Day celebration with a Novelty Match played between the Red Cross Society Ladies and Awka Angels FC on Friday, 6th September 2024 at the Awka City Stadium, Anambra State.

The Anambra State Branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society is marking the week long event in collaboration with the Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC) and Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo. The theme for the 2024 World First Aid Day which is usually commemorated on September 14th of every year is "First Aid and Sports"

In an interview with Journalists on Friday, the Executive Branch Secretary of Nigerian Red Cross Society, Anambra State Branch, Engineer Kingsley Chukwunonso Okoye informed that the Novelty Match at the Awka City Stadium was part of the weekly activities in commemoration of the 2024 World First Aid Day.

Engr. Okoye noted that the 2024 edition is unique and peculiar because it was linked with promotion of sports and fitness among Nigerian citizens and the world over which is why the Red Cross Society is collaborating with the ASSDC and Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo. Okoye stated that the essence is to make everyone to engage in sports to reduce health risk especially now that cases of people slumping and losing their lives are now at an alarming rate. He admonished the citizens to engage in sports as a way to reduce health issues that will require first aid as sport helps in reducing emergency situations and casualty.

Engr. Okoye said: "Today we are having a novelty football match at the Awka City Stadium as part of the week long activities to commemorate the 2024 World First Aid Day which is usually celebrated on September 14th of every year globally. This year's edition is unique and peculiar because it is linked with sports promotion and engagement in line with the theme which is "First Aid and Sports", and that is why we collaborated with the Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC) and Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo.

"We want to encourage the citizens to engage in sporting activities in order to be healthy as well as reduce emergency situations and casualties. These days reports about people slumping and losing their lives have increased at an alarming rate and we want to stem the tide by spreading the message on the essence of engaging in sports for our total well being and ensuring that our people maintain good health," Okoye stated.

Engr. Okoye disclosed that as part of the week long activities, there would be Radio/TV sensitization, road shows, lectures and simulation exercises to showcase a short drama of the society's response during casualty situation and sensitizing people on what is expected of them during such scenarios. The Executive Branch Secretary revealed that first aid is the first medical attention to a person before being taken to a medical practitioner while also disclosing that their services to the society is free of any charges.

Also speaking, the Training Officer of the State Branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mrs Helen Nnaji said the novelty match between the ASSDC and Nigerian Red Cross Society is marked out for the 2024 World First Aid Day celebration as it is one of their week long activities in conforming with the theme, "First Aid and Sports". Nnaji also disclosed that come September 14th, 2024, the Branch will also be having an exercise and fitness programme with the State First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, as part of the programme to commemorate the D-Day.

On her part, Ijeoma Okpala, who serves as the Health and Care Officer of the State Branch of the Red Cross Society, encouraged the citizens of the state to always engage in sports and other recreational activities in order to be healthy, maintain good physical and mental state. He urged the citizens of the state to partner with the Nigerian Red Cross Society in her quest of promoting healthy living.

Other highlights of the novelty football match was sensitization of the footballers and fans who turned up for the programme on the roles of Nigerian Red Cross Society and essential health tips by the Executive Branch Secretary, Engr. Kingsley Okoye.