The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) on Friday officially invested Laylah Ali Othman as its Nutrition Ambassador, marking a renewed push by the organisation to strengthen advocacy and intervention efforts in addressing malnutrition and food insecurity across the country.
The ceremony took place in Abuja and brought together humanitarian partners, volunteers, and senior officials of the NRCS.
In his address, the Secretary General of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Alhaji Abubakar Kende, praised Othman’s longstanding commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian outreach.
He described her appointment as a strategic step aimed at amplifying the organisation’s initiatives in nutrition, community sensitisation, and food support programmes.
Kende noted that Nigeria continues to face high levels of food insecurity, with children and women being the most vulnerable.
He said the Red Cross is intensifying its nutrition-focused interventions, and the involvement of influential advocates like Othman will help raise visibility, mobilise resources, and drive public engagement.
“Laylah Ali Othman has consistently supported communities in need and championed nutrition awareness long before today. Her appointment as Nutrition Ambassador is a demonstration of our confidence in her passion, her capacity, and her commitment to humanitarian values,” Kende said.
He added that the Red Cross remains committed to its vision of ensuring that all Nigerians, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, have access to safe and adequate food.
“This appointment is a strong step toward deepening our mission to reduce hunger and provide lifesaving nutritional support nationwide,” he added.
In her acceptance remarks, Laylah Ali Othman expressed gratitude for the recognition and pledged to work closely with the Nigerian Red Cross Society to scale up nutrition education and support initiatives across Nigeria.
She highlighted the urgency of tackling hunger and malnutrition, describing them as silent emergencies affecting millions of families.
“As a Nutrition Ambassador, I will use my platform to advocate, support, and collaborate. No child should go to bed hungry, and no mother should struggle alone to feed her family. I am committed to this cause,” she said.
Humanitarian partners at the event called the appointment timely, noting that the country’s ongoing economic challenges have worsened the nutritional situation in several communities.
The ceremony also featured the unveiling of new NRCS nutrition outreach plans, including community-based sensitisation programmes, emergency food support interventions, and partnerships with public and private sector actors to improve access to fortified foods.
The Nigerian Red Cross Society said it remains committed to its mandate of humanitarian service and will continue working with its ambassadors, volunteers, and partners to combat hunger, promote healthy living, and support vulnerable households across Nigeria.
