March 24, (THEWILL) – To enable them to further their education, the foremost Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), Women Rescue and Firefighting Forum (WRFF FORUM), has donated cash and other gifts to two families of deceased women in the firefighting profession.
WRFF FORUM donated to the families of Fidelis Sylvester and Itasanmi Ben over the weekend at the FAAN Rescue and Firefighting Unit, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
President of the NGO, Mr Frank Osadebe said the donation aims to give hope and succour to the victim’s family, provide education and safety training to schools and organisations, and support and advocate for fire service women.
According to Osadebe, WRF FORUM has been able to put smiles on the faces of bereaved families of firefighters, who risked their lives saving others.
“We want to be able to help those that are bereaved while in service or she rescues people and their children, who are not able to continue with school or who are not able to help themselves in life, we try to come to their aid and see what we can do for them. We have been able to help some people, one of them has a disabled leg, we are also trying to fix that too.”
Mr Osadebe said they are collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to reach many Nigerians in need of support, assistance and rescue in the event of emergencies or death.
In a similar vein, the secretary of the Women Rescue and Firefighting Forum, Ms Isebor Amaka called on well-meaning Nigerians and organisations to come to the aid of one of the daughters of a deceased firefighter who is physically challenged and needs surgery on her legs.
“We just want Nigerians to help her fix her leg, the earlier we do it, the better. I know we can all do it because you have been doing it and we want to say thank you for the ones you have done already.”
She urged Nigerians to be their brother keepers and support those in need.
At the just concluded this year’s International Women’s Day held March 8, 2024, with the theme: Inspire Inclusion at the FAAN Rescue and Firefighting unit, MMIA, Lagos, President of WRFF FORUM, Mr Osadebe re-emphasised that, women and Girls have suffered neglect in all socio-political ramifications over the years.
He emphasised that it is important to create awareness and support policies that will encourage gender equality, opportunity and inclusivity.
“Women should be mainstreamed in the decision-making process. Girl child education needs to be scaled up. Female genital mutilation and other harmful practices against women must stop.”
He added, “We frown at teen marriages and the use of rape as an instrument of war.”
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
