Politics

Lagos State first Lady Advises parents of SCD patients to visit sickle cell centres for more education

Published

5 years ago

December 20, 2019

By Ifeoma ikem

The wife of the Lagos State governor, Her excellency, Dr (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has advised parents of sickle cell disorder patients to visit centres for more education and awareness.

Dr. Mrs Ibijoke who was represented by Chief nursing officer, St Nicholas Hospital, Mrs Foluola Sholunke, said this at the annual end of year celebration of the sickle cell club in Lagos.
She noted that children with sickle cell anemia should be taught what to do before any crisis .

She commend the Sickle cell club Lagos for such programme urged them to do more for further education and enlightenment.
The first lady also advised couples to know their genotype because it was necessary as many parents did not put genotype testing into consideration before their marriage.

According to Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, “sickle cell anemia is recognised as one of the most deadly diseases to humanity. Many homes and marriages have been affected by this disease. As you know, sickle cell anemia is the most common inherited disorder in the world with Nigeria having largest pool of affected persons. There are 40million healthy carriers of the sickle cell trait and over 150.000 children born annually with sickle cell anemia.”

She said it is the responsibility of governments,civil societies, Ngos, individuals and health sector, actors among others to be supportive in ensuring that those who live with sickle cell live a normal life.

On her part, Dr (Mrs) Annette Akinsete, National Director of Sickle cell Foundation Nigeria, said there is need for continuous awareness, education in urban and rural communities where stakeholders, government,corporate body and NGOs should be involved in creating the awareness because Nigeria has the largest number of people living with sickle cell anemia in the world.

Akinsete explained that Nigeria need to be at the forefront of reseach in fight against sickle cell, “we should be in forefront to step up and fill the gap because government can not do it alone Sickle Cell Foundation Lagos has to fill the gap.

According to Akinsete, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria was the first of it kind in Africa and other part of the continent where they come for training, “we know how to come up to bridge the gap and also advised couples to come for genetic counselling.”

The President of Lagos sickle cell club, Mrs Ayo Otaigbe said that their effort was to improve the living condition of sickle cell anemia patients.

She said that celebrating them annually was to help them to live normal life without being stigmatized

According to Otaigbe “we are here to celebrate the many successes the club and its members (our warriors) have achieved this year. This event also presents a forum for members to come together and celebrate the goodness and mercy of God throughout the year.

” It also enables members to showcase their diverse gifts and talents.
As you are probably aware, the sickle cell club Lagos Nigeria is a charitable non-governmental, non-profit, patient support and advocacy organization dedicated to addressing the problems associated with sickle cell disorder in Nigeria.
“Today we know for certain over 150,000 children are born every year in Nigeria with sickle cell anaemia while one in every four Nigerian is a carrier of the sickle cell gene. This is by far the largest burden of this disorder anywhere in the world and most of these children would die in child hood from ignorance and lack of access to appropriate care,.”she said

“However, I am glad that due to improved access to better preventive curative health care, more and more persons with sickle cell disorder are surviving childhood and adolescence. A sizeable number of them are now completing educational and job training courses, becoming gainfully employed, getting married and rasing their own families. They are however still prone to periodic and unpredictable episodes of acute illness known as crises and have, on average, a shorter than normal life span.

“Much still needs to be done by way of research and creation of facilities to improve the quantity and quality of their lives.

” This explains why the thrust of club’s activities is to increase public awareness and knowledge of sickle cell disorder through information, education and communication at the community level. We also undertake relevant advocacy initiatives through featured articles and interviews in newspapers and magazines as well as appearance on radio and television.”

Speaking further Akinsete said, “the club continues to collaborate with Sickle cell Foundation Nigeria for capacity development initiatives of health workers.
“2019 has been another busy year with many challenges and we are thankful that we survived another challenging year. The economic situation has impacted many of our corporate partners/donors with the implication that the coverage of our services are limited by lack of resources and inadequate funding.

” Also the improvement we have noticed in the lives of our members is not felt in most parts of the country or even among the millions of the poorer masses in Lagos.”

Politics

NNPP Southwest Chieftain Ajadi Slams Ogun LG Polls, Calls for Judicial Review By Ibrahim Kegbegbe

Published

2 days ago

November 17, 2024

Sahara Weekly

NNPP Southwest Chieftain Ajadi Slams Ogun LG Polls, Calls for Judicial Review

By Ibrahim Kegbegbe

The local government elections conducted in Ogun State on November 16, 2024, have been marred by allegations of malpractice, delays, and voter disenfranchisement, according to Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the Southwest Chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

Ambassador Ajadi, an advocate for political stability and good governance, described the election as a sham, emphasizing that results announced by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) could not reflect the will of the people. Speaking to journalists in Abeokuta, he accused OGSIEC of bias and collusion with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Any numbers declared in Ogun State were fabricated,” Ajadi alleged. “No votes were counted at many polling units, and the exercise was riddled with irregularities. If OGSIEC announces any results, it is a fraudulent act that must be challenged in court.”

Voting Disruptions and Missing Officials

Ajadi recounted his personal experience at polling unit 027 in Adebimpe, where he waited until 4:15 PM without the arrival of OGSIEC officials. Similarly, his wife, Mrs. Oyindamola Ajadi, was unable to vote at polling unit 090 at Mr. Biggs in Ibafo due to the absence of electoral officers.

“The lack of organization was glaring,” Ajadi said. “How can we talk about credible elections when basic logistics were ignored? This is an affront to democracy and a betrayal of the people’s trust.”

Reports from NNPP Polling Agents

Ambassador Ajadi revealed that NNPP agents stationed across the state reported widespread delays and harassment. In Ofada Ward, OGSIEC officials arrived at polling unit 07 at 1:45 PM, but polling unit 08 saw NNPP agents intimidated by individuals allegedly linked to the APC, reportedly with the support of law enforcement officers.

In Orimerunmu, OGSIEC officials eventually showed up at polling units 012 and 013, but voters remained stranded due to missing materials. Meanwhile, polling units 035 in Ibafo and 019 at Asese Primary School were completely unattended throughout the day.

Ajadi added, “Our agents reported that at most locations, OGSIEC officials showed up as late as 2 PM with only 50 ballot papers for Councillors and 50 for Chairmen. Where are the missing ballot papers? This suggests rigging was already in motion before the process began.”

Accusations of Intimidation and Collusion

Ajadi further alleged that armed thugs, purportedly working for the APC, disrupted voting in several wards by chasing away NNPP members. “No results should be declared from polling units where elections did not take place,” he insisted. “Our party agents monitored the process diligently, and the evidence is clear—this was an exercise in futility.”

The NNPP chieftain accused OGSIEC of failing in its constitutional duty to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. “The commission’s incompetence and bias have disenfranchised countless voters and undermined democracy in Ogun State,” he lamented.

Call for Judicial Intervention

Ajadi called on the judiciary to ensure that justice is served and warned against the announcement of any manipulated results. “The good citizens of Ogun State deserve transparency and accountability. Announcing fraudulent results would amount to robbing the people in broad daylight,” he said.

Public Reaction

As reports of electoral irregularities continue to emerge, stakeholders and political observers have joined Ajadi in questioning the credibility of the election. Many are demanding a thorough investigation into OGSIEC’s conduct and immediate reforms to prevent a recurrence in future elections.

Efforts to reach OGSIEC for comments on the allegations were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, the NNPP has vowed to pursue legal redress to protect the integrity of the democratic process in Ogun State.

Politics

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

Published

5 days ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.

Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.

Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.

“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”

Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”

Politics

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Published

5 days ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.

In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.

“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.

He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.

He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.