By joshua 
Success Nwogu
The newly elected Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, (NRCS) Kwara State branch, Chief Barrister Rafiu Oyeyemi Balogun, has implored well-meaning Nigerians to be more committed to humanitarian services and always partner with the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
He stated that service to humanity is very rewarding, adding that all and sundry ought to imbibe it for global peace.
He spoke on Sunday on the sidelines of the election of new officers of the branch on Saturday at its 2021 Annual General Meeting, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. The elected new leadership of the branch is to pilot the affairs of the society for the next four years, which is the maximum years for them.
The election was observed and monitored by the National Officer from the National Society, Mrs Amodu.
Other elected members of the state’s leadership include Alhaji Mohammed Jimoh Toyin (Vice-Chairman); Barrister. Obafemi Adewale (Legal Adviser); Emmanuel Adewumi (Disaster Management Adviser); Raphael Ogedengbe (Financial and Property Management Adviser); Kayode Toyin (Programme Planning Adviser); Kolade Samson (Youth, Gender and Volunteer Adviser); Evang. Esther Adeokun (Division Development Adviser); Olaifa.O.Oluwagbenga (Financial Resources Mobilisation Adviser); Dr Abideen A. Olakunle (Health Adviser); and Alade Samuel Blessing (Capacity Development Adviser).
In his acceptance speech, Chief Barrister Balogun appreciated the former Executive Committee of the branch and promised to continue from where they stopped with a view to building on their legacies.
He also appreciated the National President of the Organisation, Elder Chief Bolaji Akpan Anani, ably represented by Mrs. Amodu, elders of the branch, the electoral committee, the Chairmen of all the 12 Divisions of the Red Cross in Kwara State and the delegates that voted during the election which culminated into his emergence as the Chairman of the Kwara State Chapter of the NRCS.
Chief Barrister Balogun solicited the unalloyed support of all so that his tenure will be successful. He emphasized that he will be guided from time to time by the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross across the globe which are humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
The new Chairman assured members of the branch that their welfare will also occupy a pride of place in the action plan of his administration even though, according to him, they are volunteers. Chief Barrister Balogun, who is also a former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch, pledged his commitment to take Kwara branch of Red Cross to greater heights and continue to serve humanity in line with the motto of the international organisation: *Per Humanitatem ad Pacem (with humanity, towards peace).