To commemorate the 2024 International World Sickle Cell Day, The Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF) in conjunction with The Ogundoyin Family and Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) on Wednesday, the 19th of June, 2024, organised an awareness event to celebrate the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) warriors, and educate the masses to clear popular misconceptions about the genetic disorder.
The event was held in the memory of The Late Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin, who was a renowned business mogul and philanthropist in his lifetime, at the Emeritus Professor Theophilus Oladipo Ogunlesi Multipurpose Hall, UCH, Ibadan. It started around 11am after the arrival and settling of guests and opening prayer by Venerable A. Sanda, with the welcome address and opening remarks delivered by Engineer Ibukun Falusi, SCHAF Board Trustee, and Dr. Ihekoronye Chioma, Project Lead Ikon Health Foundation respectively. The keynote speech was delivered by Professor C. P. Babalola, Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University and SCHAF Treasurer.
Afterwards, the current two-term Speaker of the Oyo State ninth House of Assembly, Right Honorable Adebo Ogundoyin gave a speech on behalf of The Ogundoyin Family. He recounted the life of his late father in encouragement of all sickle cell warriors. Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin, despite being a sickle cell warrior, went on to become accomplished and fulfilled in all ramifications before his death. He advocated helping warriors reduce the burden that comes with the disease, especially cost-wise, and introducing strategic measures through legislation in eradicating the stigmatisation that comes with the disease. He promised donations from the Family to SCHAF and announced provision of essential drug supplements that would sustain over 500 sickle cell warriors present in the event for up to 3 months.
In a technical session anchored by Professor Adeyinka Falusi – Chairperson of SCHAF and retired consultant haematologist – she delivered a lecture titled; “Bridging the Existing Gap in Sickle Cell Disease”. She discussed the intricacies of the condition and what the Foundation has been doing to encourage the warriors healthwise economically and socially, spread awareness, and eradicate the disease. She ended by encouraging warriors not to let their condition define their personality.
This was followed by a panel session that featured accomplished and successful Sickle Cell Disease Warriors. These warriors shared personal stories on their journeys living as sickle cell warriors, and how they combated it.
A book was launched by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Bayo Lawal, at the event. The book titled “Passion Beyond Borders; The Untold Story of Adeseun Ogundoyin”, covered the life and times of the Late Chief amidst his condition. Goodwill messages were delivered from different dignitaries including the Commissioner for Women Affairs, the Secretaries to the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency and Oyo State Primary Health Center.
The closing prayer was made by Dr. Lere Ibrahim representing Professor Mufutau Oloyede, the Chief Imam of University of Ibadan. The event ended after 3pm.
Sidiq Moshood
