In a strategic effort to bolster national disaster preparedness and protect frontline communicators, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), has concluded a comprehensive First Aid and emergency response training for Nigerian journalists in Lagos.
The three-day First Aid training, which brought together 50 journalists from over 25 media organisations across the country, was designed to build the capacity of media professionals whose work frequently places them in high-risk environments, including areas affected by armed conflict, civil unrest, natural disasters, and humanitarian emergencies.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Aliyu Dawole, Public Relations Officer of the ICRC in Nigeria, highlighted the importance of equipping journalists with basic emergency response skills. “Journalists play an essential role in the humanitarian ecosystem. They bring visibility to crises, but are also exposed to the same dangers as the populations they cover. This training empowers them to manage injuries — whether their own or that of a colleague — while awaiting medical assistance,” he stated.
Participants received hands-on training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bleeding control, wound treatment, unconscious casualty management, and other prehospital emergency techniques. The sessions concluded with simulation exercises to assess practical understanding.
Mr. Daniel Omoruyi, First Aid and Prehospital Care Field Officer with the ICRC, described the training as vital to strengthening the safety of journalists. “These are professionals who cover riots, disasters, and sometimes armed clashes. They need to be prepared not just to report, but to survive and assist others in emergency situations,” he said. “We are confident that the knowledge they have gained will help save lives.”
Beyond safety, the ICRC called for deeper collaboration with the media to amplify the voices of people affected by crises, particularly those whose suffering is often underreported. “We need journalists to go beyond casualty statistics. Every displaced family, every person who has lost a home, deserves to be heard,” Mr. Dawole added.
Meanwhile, in a parallel intervention, the Nigerian Red Cross Society Lagos Branch has commenced flood response operations in Alimosho and Ifelodun Local Government Areas, following the devastating floods that affected parts of the state in 2024. The project, made possible through Italian government funding and coordinated by the IFRC, is aimed at enhancing community resilience and restoring access to basic services.
Mr. Olusola Tejuosho, Communications Officer of NRCS Lagos, said the intervention began with a stakeholder meeting involving relevant state actors, including the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and other emergency management agencies. “This initiative is focused on shelter support and WASH — water, sanitation and hygiene. We are distributing hygiene kits, conducting hygiene awareness campaigns, and rehabilitating damaged community boreholes,” he explained.
According to Tejuosho, the Red Cross is also assessing the condition of public buildings such as churches and community centres that often serve as emergency shelters during floods. “While we are not repairing private homes, we are working to ensure that key communal infrastructure is functional and can support displaced persons in times of emergency,” he noted.
Field volunteers, after undergoing preparatory training, were deployed to communities in Ijegun and Ijagemo within Alimosho, as well as selected locations in Ifelodun, to assess flood impact on shelters and water systems.
The NRCS and ICRC have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting both vulnerable populations and professionals serving them. The dual initiative — empowering journalists with life-saving knowledge and responding to the aftermath of flooding — aligns with Nigeria’s broader national strategy on disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness.
The organisations called on the media to continue playing a constructive role in national development by informing the public, spotlighting humanitarian needs, and strengthening accountability in the delivery of aid and emergency services.
Reporting by Niran Odufayo