A coalition of concerned youths under the aegis of Osun Youths Vanguard has announced plans to embark on a statewide protest over the prolonged non-disbursement of funds by the Nigerian Red Cross Society meant for the Osun State chapter.
In a press statement released on Thursday and signed by the group’s Public Relations Officer, Tope Ayeni, the youths accused both the national and state leadership of the Red Cross of deliberate neglect, poor accountability, and financial mismanagement. They threatened to shut down the Osun State Secretariat within seven days if the issue remains unresolved.
According to the group, the national Red Cross body allocated funds to support activities and operations in Osun State, but the funds have allegedly been withheld for over seven months. The delay, they noted, has led to a sharp decline in project execution and adversely affected the welfare of Red Cross volunteers in the state, thereby weakening public confidence in the humanitarian organization.
The group particularly criticised the National President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adetayo Adeaga, describing his leadership as "inconsistent and marked by a lack of transparency." They also accused the Osun State Secretary, Mr. Tolulope Ogunleye, of stifling internal demands for accountability and intimidating members who raise concerns.
“This consistent neglect is unacceptable,” the statement read. “Prince Adeaga must act within the next seven days or face the full wrath of the youth. We will no longer tolerate the diversion of resources meant for public good into private hands.”
The planned protest, according to the group, follows several unsuccessful attempts to engage relevant authorities at both state and national levels, with no positive response or resolution.
When contacted, Mr. Tolulope Ogunleye confirmed the delay in the release of funds, stating that the issue indeed spans over seven months. However, he clarified that the delay originated from the national level and not the state leadership.
In a similar vein, a spokesperson from the office of Prince Adeaga acknowledged the issue, assuring that the matter had been escalated to the Red Cross management team and that an official response would be communicated in due course.