Blessing Taiwo
Following the spate of armed conflicts across the world, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has urged journalists to press more in conflict reporting.
As part of activities to strengthen ties with the Nigerian media, delegates of the ICRC and Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lagos branch visited over 10 media organisations and trained 50 journalists on first aid and pre-hospital care in Lagos.
The training which ran from Monday, June 23rd to Saturday, June 28th, 2025 was done in two batches. Participants were skilled on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), fracture, burns, bites, bleeding management before moving the casualties to the hospital.
Charging journalists to embrace humanitarian reporting, the Public Relations Officer of ICRC, Aliyu Dawobe said the media should give information as aid to save lives.
He said, “We expect to see journalists report more on conflict so that there will be solutions to conflicts happening around. Also, they should report on vulnerabilities to attract organisations’ support.
“Information is key to those that are affected by armed conflict and disasters. The more we bring out information about disaster, those affected and trauma they pass through, the better for all of us,” Dawobe said.
Speaking on the significance of the training for journalists, Daniel Edobor, ICRC First Aid and Pre-Hospital Care Field Officer said the reporters were empowered to help themselves and colleagues if they get injured while covering riot situations.
“Journalists should stay safe. What they have learnt in this training should be passed on to their colleagues, family members at home so that if they get injured, someone close by can help,” Edobor added.
In her remarks, the Lagos State Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Dr. Adebola Kolawole urged journalists to collaborate with the Red Cross Society for public enlightenment.
She charged journalists to make good use of the first aid skills and teach others to save more lives.
