The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has hailed the roles played by volunteers in the frontline of the government’s response in curbing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, calling for caution and readiness amid warnings of a second wave.
The governor, in a statement, applauded the volunteers for their bravery, offering their expertise, resources and extra time to help contain the pandemic and save the lives of others.
Obaseki said this in commemoration of this year’s International Volunteer Day for Social and Economic Development marked by the United Nations and its sister agencies, with the theme, “Together We Can Through Volunteering.”
According to the governor, “As the world marks the International Volunteer Day for Social and Economic Development, we celebrate and applaud volunteers in the state who have been on the frontlines of the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We salute your courage, commitment and sacrifice so that many others may live. Without you, our response to the pandemic would have been a lot harder, if not impossible.
“As we gradually recover from the pandemic, we must not lose our guard but remain cautious and ever-prepared amid early warnings of the second wave of the pandemic.”
Stressing on this year’s theme, “Together We Can Through Volunteering,” Obaseki called for stronger ties between volunteers and governments to drive development across the world and achieve global peace.
The governor noted: “Volunteerism has proven to be a critical pillar in the development of communities all over the world and I hope your example, which will forever be imprinted in the hearts of the many that have benefitted from your selfless sacrifice, will become a beacon that others will follow. This will further bolster the government’s efforts at achieving sustainable development across the world and attaining global peace.”
International Volunteer Day (IVD) was designated by the United Nations in 1985 as an international observance day to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism.
According to the United Nations, “International Volunteer Day is a chance for individual volunteers, communities and organizations to promote their contributions to development at the local, national and international levels.”
