The Benin Zone of NBM of Africa Worldwide has donated blood to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, as part of its sustained humanitarian initiatives.
The exercise was aimed at replenishing the hospital’s blood bank and ensuring that patients requiring urgent transfusions have timely access to blood.
Speaking during the exercise on behalf of the national president of the organisation, Dr. Charles Chimezie, chairman of the Benin Zone, Comrade Desmond Izevbigie, said the initiative reflected the organisation’s belief that humanitarian service must be demonstrated through tangible actions capable of positively impacting lives.
Izevbigie said the organisation had, over the years, undertaken various humanitarian initiatives across the country and beyond, particularly in healthcare, welfare support, community development, and other interventions aimed at alleviating human suffering.
He stressed that the organisation remained committed to responding meaningfully to the needs of vulnerable members of society while promoting initiatives that protect human dignity and improve the wellbeing of the people.
According to him, blood donation remains one of the most direct and practical ways of saving lives, as donated blood can provide an immediate lifeline to accident victims, surgical patients, women experiencing complications during childbirth, and other patients whose survival depends on timely transfusion.
The NBM chairman urged Nigerians, corporate organisations, and community groups to embrace voluntary blood donation, noting that nobody could predict when a relative, friend, neighbour, or a stranger might need blood that another person had willingly donated.
Izevbigie commended the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Professor (Mrs) Idia Ize-Iyamu, and the hospital’s management for what he described as their commendable efforts to revamp the institution and improve the quality of healthcare services delivered to the people.
He called for greater support for the hospital’s ongoing efforts, stressing that improved healthcare infrastructure and quality medical services will ultimately benefit not only the people of the state but also Nigerians across the country.
The NBM chairman also commended Governor Monday Okpebholo, for his efforts in tackling cultism and related violence, as well as his administration’s drive for infrastructural development.
He equally praised the governor for what he described as his respect for the traditional institution, particularly the revered Benin Traditional Institution and His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin.
Izevbigie called on individuals, corporate bodies, and other organisations to support initiatives aimed at addressing social vices, strengthening community safety, promoting peaceful coexistence, and advancing sustainable development in the state.