SICKLE CELL GROUP'S STAKEHOLDERS' MEETING: RISING HOPE FOR SICKLE CELL PATIENTS.

The maiden edition of Sickle Cell Stakeholders' meeting held recently at Aguata Local Government Secretariat Hall with at least 200 Sickle cell patients in attendance, besides members of the clergy, the press, the red cross and a medical practitioner.
The event was an upgrade of what used to be an exclusive meeting for members of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder.

In her address, the coordinator of the group, Aisha Maureen Edward shared that her sole purpose for initiating the association is to bridge the gap between those living with Sickle Cell disorder and the benevolent members of the society, thereby breaking the wings of those fake NGOs who had been feeding fat at the expense of the Sickle Cell cause and people. Aisha expressed her appreciation to God and the church who had been her most gracious support and partners in the pursuit of the cause of the association and on that note announced that, come October 18, members of the association in the Southeast shall be going for thanksgiving at St Patrick's Cathedral, Awka. It was during the event that Aisha Edward gave a rundown of series of landmark achievements recorded by the association within just few years, which include, getting the prestigious Iyi Enu Mission Hospital to write off the huge bill of one of their deceased members as well declare free medical services to Sickle Cell patients; the graduation of 10 members of APLSCD from the first round of the ongoing skill acquisition programme by Osodieme CAFE; the Walk in honor of members of the association by ANAMBRA Broadcasting Service in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Anglican and Catholic church as well as other the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and other corporate bodies.  Aisha also assured sickle cell patients that  more welfare and empowerment packages are still in the pipeline. She also said that plans are underway to get the new and prestigious Sickle Cell ambassador, Zahra Buhari to ANAMBRA State.

MISSION HOSPITAL TAKES THE LEAD IN SICKLE CELL PARTNERSHIP.

in what started like a melodramatic turn of events, Iyi Enu Mission Hospital, Ogidi, Onitsha has shown herself a track beater in the cause of upgrading the welfare of those people in our society who are living with Sickle Cell Disorder.

The Administrator of the said hospital which  is run by the Anglican Church, Onitsha,  Revd. Cannon Ikechukwu Okwuosa made this known during a 5 hours closed door meeting between the administrator and an entourage representing   Association of People Living with Sickle cell Disorder led by The Coordinator, Aisha Maureen Edward. He disclosed that his establishment has been at the fore front of standing up for Sickle Cell patients. Besides the fact that the Mission Hospital has a couple of exceptional staff members who are Sickle Cell patients, they had a very promising young clergy, the Onitsha Diocese bishop's own godson, who gave up the ghost at the prime of his life. An experience that devastated the whole Diocese, but almost did in the Bishop himself. She then revealed that he has received two proposals for a sickle cell special clinic in the big establishment, but has also gotten a proposal from a very distinguished female scientist who wants to start a full blown hematology department in Iyi Enu Mission school.
Revd. Okwuosa, a young husband and father and Hospital Management graduate of University of Leeds spoke firmly against whoever might be wrongly saying that his hospital is not nice to Sickle Cell patients has ulterior motives and shall face the full wrath of the law if caught. The ice breaker was when he told the Coordinator of the Association that his hospital will consider the written and spoken appeal by the association to write off the bill of a deceased 16 year old member of the association. The Hospital Administrator also affirmed that the parents of the deceased could come and pick up their deceased corpse and bury, as they don't eat corpse.

The public may not be aware but the said 16 year old Miss Rowland had been one of the foundation members of the association and was almost concluding her NECO when she fell sick and from St Mary's Hospital Ekwulobia, she was posted to Iyienu Mission Hospital where she gave up the ghost after two unsuccessful appendixectomy  surgeries. 'The hospital has many specialists doctors and did her best but she was already bad when she was posted as an emergency from St Mary's Hospital Ekwulobia', said the Revd Gentleman in defense of his hospital.

Speaking to some members of the media, the Coordinator of the Association happily informed the media that she has sheathed her sword of justice and has taken the white sweet scented lily offered by IyiEnu Mission Hospital. She expressed her gratitude in a special way to all gentlemen of the pen who have been, as she put it, 'my own arsenal and weapon with which I fight the ills in the society as a Moral Crusader.'

AGUATA ARCHBISHOP SPEAKS UP ON SICKLE CELL…’ CONTINUOUS SENSITIZATION IS THE SOLUTION.’ -

Most Revd. Christian Efobi

Most Revd. Christian Efobi, the Archbishop of Aguata Diocese (Anglican Communion), has singled out continuous sensitization campaign as the panacea to ameliorating the scourge of sickle cell disorder in Nigeria. He said this during his interaction with a sickle cell awareness team comprising of press men and the coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder, Aisha Edward, at his office in Ekwulobia. In his interaction with this team, the archbishop identified the reason for the continued birthing of sickle cell babies as the refusal of intending couples to be tested prior to their marital union and/or insistence on getting married even after being tested and found incompatible.

On his view concerning those individuals and corporations that hide under the guise of pursuing the cause of sickle cell disorder to amass wealth for themselves without making any impact in the lives of sickle cell disorder, Most Rev. Efobi described such acts as not only illegal but also a sin against both God and man and advised such people to repent from their ways. He further advised philanthropists not to desist from doing good but ensure the genuineness of the foundations before making donations. On that note, the Archbishop said, ‘I think this foundation is worth partnering with as its activities gives those living with sickle cell disorder a reason to live and by their interaction with one another, they ease off psychological tension.

Bishop Efobi said the Anglican communion has been pursuing the cause of sickle cell disorder through marriage counseling which includes blood tests part of which is genotype test which determines whether they encourage the couple to go ahead with the union or not, and through regular church announcement, preaching and seminars. As a final word, the archbishop enjoined the government to make funds available for more sensitization; the church leaders to continue in their sensitization programs and those living with sickle cell disorder to be assured of God’s continuous love.

BREAKING NEWS…RUNTOWN Goes To Court as Group Sues for Breach of Contract

Upcoming music artist Douglas Jack Agu better know as Runtown as been dragged to a Lagos court by a group under the aegis of Dynamic Minds League (DML) over breach of musical performance contract.

Runtown who was due to headline the last edition of their annual Carnival which was held on the 1^st of January, 2015, eventually did not turn up for the event, even after the group had completely paid his appearance and performance fee upfront.

The Harmattan Carnival which is Anambra’s oldest carnival has been held annually during the yuletide season since 1992 and Past editions of the event have featured ace Nigerian musical talents like Phyno, Nigga Raw, Stormrex and a host of others.

DML, the organizers is a group comprising of young professionals and students from Anambra with a mission to promote and contribute to the development of their town and state, claims they paid Runtown his full agreed performance fee in December, 2014 and fulfilled all agreed obligations, but Runtown failed to turn up for the event. All diplomatic efforts made since then to secure a refund of his appearance fee has proven abortive. As a result the group has proceeded to filing a lawsuit at the Lagos State High Court demanding an apology from Runtown, as well as a refund of performance fees, logistics costs and a token amount for damages incurred.

THE WAY OF THE SHROUD ON TUESDAY REPORT CARD by MAZI ODERA 15/09/15

Chief Willie Obiano, “Akpokue GLOBAL “
The Executive Governor of Anambra state .

Sir, welcome to another great Tuesday ,a day set aside to bring to your attention the rots that prevail in the Government ,a day we look closely at issues with sincere and discerning eyes and a day my old man will say “asokata Eze anya ,ekpulu nka niru gwaya okwu” [For avoidance of reprisal and respect to the throne ,one has to wear basket as face cover  to tell the king the gospel truth].

My old man will say “anuta akara Eze asi na Eze gworo anumanu” [constant supply of information to the throne ,it will seem as if the king has ears to the ground]

Sir ,i will start with an urgent appeal on the state of our state roads ,especially the areas where this constant and irritating  rain fail has dug the road into PIT OF HELL ,take for instance ICHIDA IGBOUKWU road ,there are 2 very dangerous portion on that Road that can Torpedo a trailer , Buses  and there is no alternative route to circumvent it ,then moving closer before IGBOUKWU market after the Police station ,the portion of the road in question has became a MENACE that separated the road ,the gully in between that road is terrible to be on ANAMBRA ROAD .
Now vehicles are diverting and gallivanting through the village road to  avoid that pit of hell on the road .

Going to NNEWI through AWKA ETITI before you get to IFEANYI UBA street and House ,there are 3 GULLIES at middle of the road begging to tore the road into two halves .

Moving from NENI to ADAZI –ICHIDA ,there are 3 very dangerous Gutter like POT HOLES that is moving fast to slice the road into bits before the next rain fall.

Sir ,i remember the slogan you introduced few months back which is “ZERO TOLERANCE TO POT HOLES IN ANAMBRA STATE” but what we see  on our roads today makes one to ponder if we actually have Ministry of Works in the state and if the Government still cares for the welfare of the state ? . We know that the state of our Finance is not healthy but Sir ,let them carry on palliative measures on those spot.
That same position i reported at AMAWBIA opposite CITY LANDMARK HOTEL where Sand dunces moved from location and blocked the road ,which the Government sent in some Earth mover and they perform what my old man will call "COME AND SEE AMERICAN WONDER" ,Sir ,the CLAY sand is back to same position and it,s moving dangerously across to cover up the road and please remember that Cay Sand when mixed with Water of rain become extreme violent to Vehicle tires ,in essence when it crosses that road and vehicle that ran on it will end up in that Bush or pit behind CITY LAND MARK and may be the state will open Condolence trips to many families and cities ,but a stitch in time saves nine.
Moving on to other areas ..

Sir ,as it is obvious  from the look of things , the lopsided appointments in the Government ,from the Lopsided allocation of Jobs and contracts which all favored one Town ,sorry one and half town out of the 177 Communities in the state ,from the way things are run in the state ,from the Multiple burden we call TAX heaped on the Citizens of the state ,it is obvious that there won,t be dream or even quest for a second coming.

In fact it is glaring that your MEDIA MEN ,the E rats and your SSA,S that are now going hard on TORN MASK including the one i thought was responsible but he is now wearing AGHADINUNO as mask ,your conglomerate of sycophants that chants AKPOKUE GLOBAL ,WILLIE IS WALKING and all other head swelling un-necessary praises ,this set of no gooders have contributed or spear headed the BYE BYE to your second tenure .
Imagine the kind of MEDIA and POLITICAL ADVISERS you have now and top on the list is that serial blackmailer and king of Junk ,some are  just pissing in the wind and the same urine blows back and plaster them all with the discharged urine ,all in their effort to antagonize SIR PETER OBI ,they should,ve listened to my old man sing “ugbana ka etelu unyi na aru ,ugbana chakaria nke ochafoduru” [they poured mud on a PELICAN ,then when Pelican bath up ,she will be whiter than before]

PROGRESSING UNTO OTHER MATTERS ;

Sir from Local Government account they withdraw 90 MILLION NAIRA every month with the impression that it is for the members of the house of assembly ,but it is unfortunate that the house gets only 1 million Naira  and Former Speaker Chinwe Nwaebili takes 20 MILLION NAIRA , the rest goes to the First lady. I just want to say that it is not FAIR AT ALL at least to the members of the house ,i am not crying for the Puppets that masquerade as Chairmen of Local Government without Testicles .

Sir, you should look into the deals going on at WOMEN DEVELOPEMENT CENTER ,now Re-named PROFESSOR DORA AKUNYILI CENTER .We know that every occasion held at the above center is under MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS ,FEW WEEKS ago there was an event that brought in 12 Million Naira .The Commissioner for Women affairs called HER EXCELLENCY to give her the money but her number was,nt going because she is not in Nigeria ,moving ,,,then FRAUD was perpetuated by UNTOUCHABLES of the GOVRENMENT  ,they instructed the Commissioner to pay the  money into certain account ,that it was instruction from HER EXCELLENCY .Well days later HER Excellency said she did not send any account or aware of it ,,as we speak the  case in on going  with the DSS investigating or say following the money trail to NIP the fraud in the bud. The need to cut down on excesses from this bunch of loiters that felt they have all it takes to grab Government money and nothing will happen .
My question is ,is the office of the Commissioner of WOMEN AFFAIRS inferior to that of the First Lady or is it constitutional that it will be subsidiary to the Office of the First lady ?.
Should the state fund be going to the office of the first Lady instead of a ministry purse ?

EXTRA WICKED FRAUD...
Okwute Ndi igbo ,the former Governor of  our state started a heart felt relieve program to help alleviate the suffering of the elderly and helpless Citizens of the state that are above 75 years of age .
Then it was under the supervision of HON ANTHONIA TABANSI ,who made sure that the elderly gets the money at Month end , While in office, Obi paid them, 10 from each village, the sum of 5,000  Naira each. He left money that would take care of them for  2 years in the coffers. There is also enabling legislation on that .But moving on,,

Sir ,since you took over the mantle and remove the duties from legitimate hands and transfer it to the office of WOMEN AFFAIRS and put it directly under the office of the FIRST LADY ,there has been enormous fraud .  They have been paid only once and later when you released money to pay them the accumulated arrears .
Sir remember that you formed a committee to handle the payments and arrears comprising  ...
1.      Prof. Asika (Chief of Staff)- Chairman
 2. Willie Nwokolo(principal Secretary), member
 3. Dr. Ibeziem (Bishop Ibeziem's brother, Special Adviser,
 4. Primus Odili(SSA), member
5.Ben Obi –Member

Well the money you released to pay the elderly as it was ordained by your predecessor ,the money grew wings and vanish as usual ,in a nutshell ,the money was EMBEZZLED [euphemistically speaking] and many of the Elders that are suppose to benefit from it died of broken heart and preventable poverty ,while those choose to carry out the duty are smiling to the Banks with the STIPENDS for the elders and thereby invoking the wrath of the gods and that of the land .

Sir ,we know that when the fraud was so glaring and alarming ,you constituted another Committee to investigate the fraud ,headed by the Deputy Governor who in turn filed a report indicting the former Committee of heavy EMBEZZLEMENT and how much each of them stole ,but till now nothing has been heard again about the report or the money or even further payments to the Elderly .

Sir ,you know nature of human being ,please do not make us think that you refused to do something about the fraud because they are very close to you ,incase  you,ve forgotten  ,i will present again what the report showed as what each of them embezzled ..

 1. Prof. Asika (Chief of Staff)- Chairman-  28Million Naira
 2. Willie Nwokolo(principal Secretary), member,  25.1 Million Naira
 3. Dr. Ibeziem (Bishop Ibeziem's brother, Special Adviser, 18 Million Naira
 4. Primus Odili(SSA), member,  11Million Naira
 5. Ben Obi, member, 11 Million Naira.

FINALY SIR ,there is this troubling sight at SEAGATE HOTEL where the Government are keeping NDI OTIMKPU and UMU AZI eji ezu ike  and where many SSA and SA na edebe UMU ASA as well ,imagine how many Female students that are occupying rooms there at the expense of the Government ?
I am not against the IKO and akwa there but what worries me is that they are putting the bills on the Government ,our government and our money  .
They should be made to Rent accommodations and melu nmanu bakwue okazi .

SIR ,I DO NOT AND WILL NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE EXCLUSIVE 2 GIRLS ,but I will talk if they continue enjoying OUR OFFICIAL VEHICLES .

 SINGING OUT ; Sir ,the whispering ECHO in the ears of some ELITES on how one day the STAKEHOLDERS will be called and INFORM them that after 1 year and 6 months , we suddenly discovered that Former Governor Peter Obi did not leave the said 75 BILLION ,I think it will make them to think MORE LOWER of the situation and they will start to think if we lied about your work  as a banker and auditor during the campaign ,because if it can take that long to verify a written HANDOVER NOTE which states how much is kept at a giving bank and assets with place and position  ,then it makes suspect of works carried out during the days as an AUDITOR AND BANKER  .

ADVISE ,why postpone it ? this is should have been done long ago ,but my old man will say “mgbe onye jiri teta ura bu ututu ya” [when one wakes up can be considered his morning] ,SO I WILL ADVISE to do it immediately without much delays and the best way is to call PRESS and EFCC ,so that the World will know the FRAUD and the EXPOSURE ,calling some of the STAKE HOLDERS and WHISPER to them will be considered hear say.

Let us get on with it ,make if public and official so that OGODO GA AGBARA NJE ,I will insist that the STATE deserve to know the true position of things and not just the Elites who will keep sealed LIPS .

My old man once said to me “SON do not make the HORNEST NEST your play ground ,because those BEES maybe TINY but they packed a BRUTAL PUNCH  ”  and with that I am off but on .

Mazi Odera
Truth is our standard,accept it in good faith or
we shove it down your throat.The Choice is yours.
I am off but on

AS ANAMBRA WALKS TO HONOR SICKLE CELL PATIENTS ...I AM BORN ANEW TODAY -SICKLE SOLDIERS COORDINATOR

Awka, the ANAMBRA state capital took her routine Saturday physical workout to another dimension on September 12, as Anambra Broadcasting Service Management led all the who's who in the state on a Walk in Honor of those living with Sickle Cell Disorder. The walk which was tagged 'ANAMBRA Walks to Life' commenced around 6:30am at ABS complex as the more than 500-man caravan comprising the state's Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike, Mr Uche Nworah, the Managing Director of ABS, Hon. Pharm. Obinna Emenaka, honourable member of the state house of Assembly, members of ABS management crew and other media houses, representatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,NDLEA, representatives of the wife of the governor and the Commissioner for women Affairs, an Ambulance, many members of the Red Cross and Federal Road Safety Commission took to the street bearing banners announcing the need to care for Sickle cell patients and prevent further production of Sickle Cell babies. The troupe went through Unizik- Arthur Eze Avenue, Eke Awka and through Jet Filling station and finally ended up at ABS complex for the ceremony proper.

In her speech, during the event, the Coordinator of Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder, Ms Aisha Maureen Edward, expressed her delight at the honor being accorded sickle cell patients by the state, powered by ABS. She informed that the day's event was a climax to an awareness campaign she, through her association, initiated earlier in the year given the dismal way the issue of sickle cell disorder had hitherto been treated, not to talk of her observed fraudulent practices of NGOs who use the name of Sickle Cell to amass wealth for themselves. She used the medium to express her gratitude to the Bishop of Awka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor and the Bishop of Aguata Anglican Diocese, Most Revd. Christian Efobi for financially supporting the programme; the wife of the Executive Governor of ANAMBRA State, Chief  Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, for taking the lead in empowerment of sickle cell patients by assimilating 10 patients in the ongoing skill acquisition programme in the state; the Chairman, ANAMBRA State Local Government Service Commission, Dr P. Egenti, who pledged to create 21 job slots in the 21 local government secretariats of the state; the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria led by Pharm. Chisom, for pledging their unalloyed support to the Association and donating first aid kits and drugs to the Association; Dr Josephat Akabuike, for always being there for the Association; the NDLEA; Freshlife pure water and a host of other sponsors of the programme and the activities of the Association. She then called on all federal and state government personnel, religious bodies, the media and legislators, individuals and corporate bodies to continue with her in the fight to break the jinx of sickle cell scourge in the society to a conclusive end.

In his speech, the honourable commissioner for health, Dr Joseph at Akabuike shared his thoughts about the sickle cell situation, saying that he has observed that for health conditions like sickle cell disorder, there are people living with such conditions and people living ON those conditions; those who amass wealth for themselves using the name of such conditions. He registered his displeasure at individuals and bodies who engage in such inhuman acts while congratulating Ms Aisha Edward for her energetic approach toward the fight against the sickle cell scourge. He reassured the group that his ministry will continue to partner with them as they have made his job easier in that dimension.

Also noteworthy among the series of speeches rendered during the event was that of the Honourable member representing ANAMBRA West in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Pharm. Obinna Emenaka who observed with dismay that in this global world, people are still ignorant of their genotype and/or choose to outrightly ignore their genotype while matchmaking, in the name of 'blind love'. He then promised that he will seek out for the law which the state has made on sickle cell and ensure it is fully implemented. Hon. Obinna also added that, he would use the powers vested on the House of Assembly to investigate the purportedly fraudulent sickle cell NGOs in the state and bring any of them found wanting to book.

AS SEPTEMBER 12 BECKONS; AISHA/MEDIA LUNCHEON.

A sample of 20 Anambra-based seasoned journalists from both the print and electronic media were today hosted by Ms Aisha Maureen Edward, the Coordinator of Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder at Time Out Restaurant/Bar, Aroma , Awka. The import of the luncheon, Ms Edward disclosed, was to formally invite all the media to join her on September 12 for a Walk organised by ANAMBRA Broadcasting Service, Awka in honour of those living with sickle cell disorder. The meet was also to sensitize the media on the need to partner with her in the cause of educating and informing the public on the true nature of Sickle cell disorder and those living with it and why it is pertinent to stop the scourge once and for all.

In her speech, Ms Edward said, "The emergence of the Association(which had before now been called Sickle Cell Club) officially took place a week after  June 19, when we marked the World Sickle Day. Before then, we took close look at our register while trying to organise ourselves for the Day and we discovered that about 170 of our members have died only in ANAMBRA state in the last 3 years.

Most people don't know that I live with the challenge of Sickle Cell Disorder. But I served in the Nigerian Army with it for 14 years, travelling several countries during the peace keeping mission as an image maker of the army. The Nigerian Army gave me the best , probably because of the effort I put into my job and I know that the story is the same for my counterparts that are privileged to serve as professionals. What we sickle cell patients are deficient of in social terms, we make up for intellectually.

So, I felt that there is a need to give the same opportunity to those sickle cell patients who are not so privileged and who happen to be in the majority, that is why I started crying out.

Recently I started touring the churches because this error starts from the point of marriage which is solemnized by the church and court. And I saw that not too many of them are serious enough about the sensitization and counselling. To my greatest dismay, I realised that most of these churches don't hesitate to join couples who may not match in genotype and had been refused wedding in more strong footed churches. This bizarre practice is more rampant in new generation churches and soon I'll start calling their names and those of their leaders."

Aisha complained bitterly of how those couples, out of 'blind' love, obstinately defy nature to go ahead and join in marriage and yet when they inevitably start producing sickle cell babies, they resort to what she called 'stupid faith', subjecting these poor children to abuses in the hands of charlatans in the name of healing services. These same children, according to Ms Edward, are still victimized by their parents coupled with the fact that they have been condemned already to a life sentence of excruciatingly painful constant sickly bouts till their bodies give up finally to death.

 Maureen used the forum to express her satisfaction with the ANAMBRA state government for being one of the few states of the federation to have passed a sickle cell law. She, however, revealed that for yet unconfirmed reasons, this law has been swept under the carpet since 2002 when it was promulgated. She proposed that if the government actually makes the law effective and also give the sickle cell patients a chance, they will be the best they can be and be salvaged from the tendency of being social nuisances out of frustration. In her words, 'I can categorically tell you that 80% of drug addicts in Nigeria are sickle cell patients. Some are committing suicide driven to high points of depression while others are doing everything possible to break down their parents psychologically and otherwise before they die. A sickle cell patient told me in confidence, after the World Sickle cell day, that he wished he could get a link to the suicide bombers so he could partner with them. I became shocked. I could see the level of damage the society has done to these ones who now feel that they have been condemned already."

The APLSCD coordinator was of the view that the men of God who are saddled with the responsibility of preaching against carrier marriages are lackadaisical about it because they need people to have disease conditions so that they can come for prayers, so seed of faith expecting a miracle. "The greatest miracle", she opined, "is that of providing men with ability to detect genotypes and the consequences of wrong cross matching."

Aisha Edward also shared how she was summoned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency' state commandant to address the Pharmaceutical council members and how she pleaded with these pharmacists to show sickle cell patients mercy, given that the pain relief drugs they usually take are opiates, narcotics and are highly addictive. She shared that those drugs are meant to be administered to a sickle cell patient once in a long while and under severe conditions like child birth, accidents or excruciating pain. In her words, 'Instead of a pharmacist to complain to the right quarters those sickle cell patients who are requesting too much of the drugs, they see a business opportunity and continue supplying the drugs to these poor ones. The clergies too, benefit from our challenges. The NGOs are the worst monsters we have ever encountered.  They have crucified us and taken us to the slaughter house." Maureen shared how NGOs partner with lab scientists to take blood samples from unsuspecting sickle cell patients in the hospital for soliciting for international aid. "There is a case at hand now," reported Ms Maureen Edward, "of one Prof. Olu Akiyanju who has been operating Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria for more than a decade now and have made obscene amounts of money from both national and international bodies in the name of sickle cell. Imagine that one minute of every call one makes with MTN goes to Sickle Cell Foundation, Nigeria, yet one cannot see any impact so far."

And so went on the firebrand activist sensitizing the attendees as they wined and dined.

Finally, she invited them to join in the cause of telling the society and the world the truth about what is going on with the  sickle cell scourge. She also expressed her appreciation to the wife of the governor who had risen to the call already and have assimilates 10 members of her association in the ongoing skill acquisition program. She also appreciated those media people, especially online bloggers, who have hitherto been  facilitating her cause. She then invited all and sundry to come out and support her association on that day of the Walk, September 12, at ABS complex,Awka.

PRESS RELEASE: SICKLE CELL PATIENTS ASSOCIATION MOURNS WITH CHIMAROKE

Aisha

The attention of the Association of People Living With Sickle Cell Disorder has been drawn to the news of the unfortunate demise of Mrs Nnenna Nnamani, the wife of the former governor of Enugu state, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani. We were (and still are) shocked on the news of the demise of Nnenna at such a young age (47 yrs) and were devastated the more when we heard that the lady was a sickle cell patient. We sympathise with the ex -governor and mourn along with him given that the deceased was one of us. On the same vein, we pray that this unfortunate occurrence serves as an eye opener to the society. If highly placed people are not exonerated from the scourge of sickle cell, then there is a dire need for the nation to shake off their lethargic attitude towards Sickle Cell Disorder and sickle cell patients and start doing the needful. Fellow Nigerians, we need to stamp our feet and refuse the continued birth of sickle cell babies by selfish couples. We need to start supporting sickle cell patients in the lifelong pains and sorrows which they have been subjected to without their consent. We the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder wonder why the ex-governor could not set up at least a foundation for sickle cell patient given how close he was with one. We wonder even more why he could allow the condition of sickle cell patients to deteriorate to the level it is in Enugu State, despite his medical orientation. We use this opportunity to implore those in government in Enugu state particularly and Nigeria in general to arise and start doing something for us. Sickle cell laws need to be passed and enforced. Sickle cell maintenance clinics offering free or subsidized professional care to Sickle cell patients need to be made ubiquitous in the country. Sickle cell patients need to be given priority and special consideration in job placement and skill acquisition programmes.


If someone who is so highly placed like Late Mrs Nnenna Nnamani could still die so early, where lies our fate, those of us at the grassroot?
I was born and bred in Enugu start and was privy to the landmark achievements of Ex governor Chimaroke Nnamani, like the Judiciary complex and Parklane Hospital and I appreciate his person personally. Once again, on behalf of APLSCD, I commiserate with him and his family and pledge that the Association will always be there for the children in any capacity.

Rest in peace Late Mrs Nnenna Nnamani. Rest in peace other unknown sickle cell patients who have passed on in Nigeria this month. God bless us all.
NB: MAY WE ALSO USE THIS MEDIUM TO INVITE ONE AND ALL TO THE WALK IN HONOUR OF SICKLE CELL PATIENTS HOLDING AT ABS, AWKA COMPLEX ON SEPT.12. AVAIL THIS OPPORTUNITY TO START MAKING THAT DIFFERENCE FOR THE CAUSE OF SICKLE CELL. THANKS

BY AISHA MAUREEN EDWARD (COORDINATOR - ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL DISORDER (APLSCD)