BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Succour came the way of families of two deceased women firefighters as a Non-governmental Organization, NGO, Women Rescue and Firefighting Forum, (WRFFFORUM) made cash donations and other gifts to them.
The assistance, made over the weekend at the FAAN Rescue and Firefighting Unit, MMIA, Lagos, is to enable each of the dead women’s wards to further their primary and polytechnic education respectively.
President of the NGO, Mr. Frank Osadebe, said that the mission of the organization was to give hope and succour to the victims’ families.
It also seeks to provide education, safety training to schools and organizations, support advocacy for fire service women.
According to him, WRFFFORUM has strived 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 rescuing people and their children who are not able 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 persons, one of them has a disabled leg, we are also trying to fix that too”, he noted.
Mr. Osadebe further said the body was deeply collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to reach many Nigerians in need of support and rescue in the event of emergencies or death.
In her remarks, the Secretary of the Women Rescue and Firefighting Forum, Ms. Isebor Amaka, called on well-meaning Nigerians and organizations to come to the aid of one of the daughters of a deceased firefighter who is physically challenged and needs leg surgery.
“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’s keepers and support those in need.
At the just concluded 2024 International Women’s Day March 8, 2024, themed INSPIRE INCLUSION, held at the FAAN Rescue and Firefighting unit, MMIA, Lagos, President of WRFFFORUM, Mr. Osadebe stated that women and girls have suffered neglect in all socio-political ramifications over the years.
He emphasized 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 stressed.
He added, “We frown at teen marriages and use of rape as instrument of war. We rail against femicide”.
