The new international WEBSTER’S Comprehensive Dictionary of the English language described HUMANITARIAN as one who is broadly philanthropic and humane, one who seeks to forward the welfare of humanity by ameliorating pain and suffering in any of their manifestations, one who holds that the perfectibility of the human race is attainable without superhuman aid. On his own part, oxford Advance Learners Dictionary of current English describes humanitarian as concerned with reducing suffering and improving the conditions that people live in.
With regards to the description of “service”, Webster’s encyclopaedic dictionary has described “service” as assistance or benefit afforded another; therefore a cursory look at the above description will show that the meaning of humanitarian service entails assistance rendered by one who seeks to forward the welfare of humanity by ameliorating pain and suffering in any of their manifestations.
Humanitarian activities and services have variously been linked to the culture of the people especially religion. Such religious activities associated with humanitarianism have been experienced at various times such as war, accident and even in cases of peasantry. For example, during the world war, the Red Cross was of immense help to war victims hence their serene and mini treatments depended very much on humanitarian services to the poor. Similarly victims of accidents have had succour from humanitarian services of the Red Cross. Mother Theresa of England who serves in Ireland turned a beggar to raise money for the humanitarian services to the poor. Similarly, St Anthony of Padua which is a sodality in the Catholic Church sourced for money to carry out humanitarian services to the poor including the motherless baby’s homes and other homes for the needy.
One can look at humanitarian services from individual performances whereby an individual can undertake to ameliorate the sufferings of others. This could be through empowerment of men, women, the youth members of the society. Some men who are actually religious can be the biblical Samaritan who had pity on accident victim. This buttresses the fact that humanitarian is a function of the human psyche or inbuilt in the man’s character.
Another aspect of humanitarianism is that which has to do with the present African and Nigerian politicians. These categories of humanitarians are better described as philanthropists, who perform the humanitarian services to attract the favour of their constituents. If they arrange for any empowerment activity such like; building of houses for widows and orphans, given food items to the less privileged in the society etc., different mass media organizations will be engaged to boost their ego.
For any activity to qualify to be humanitarian in nature, it must be devoid of selfishness but rather one that is born out of Christian in-depth human feeling of trust and compassion. Any activity of give and expect a reward is not humanitarian. Africans especially Nigerians both highly placed politicians and ordinary businessmen are advised, to as much as possible borrow a leaf from the good Samaritan of the Holy Bible and be a humble humanitarian.
Conclusively then, humanitarian services therefore calls on individuals, corporate organizations, politicians, church and their adherents to see the truism in functional humanitarianism thereby impact on the society positively for the good of humanity and the glory of God.
Chief Augustine O.S Anyanwu
(Mmaduoha Umuokrika, Palace Secretary Umuokrika Ancient Kingdom)
WASC, TC 11, NCE, BA(ED) UNN, RTD PRINCIPAL, Fmr CHAIRMAN ST PATRICK’S EKWERAZU PARISH COUNCLI, PATRON EZIOYI SOCIAL CLUB OF NIGERIA, MANY AWARDS RECIPIENTS.
