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… Advocates genotype testing to curb diseases
By Doris Obinna
The Lagos State Government has called on secondary school students to take the lead in the fight against sickle cell disorder by knowing their genotype, promoting informed marriage decisions and educating their peers, describing sustained public awareness as a critical strategy for reducing the burden of the inherited blood disorder.
The charge was given on Friday, during an inter-school debate and quiz competition organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health to commemorate the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day at the NUT Pavilion Event Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
The World Sickle Cell Day, marked every year on June 19 is to raise global awareness about the disease.
Speaking, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, urged young people to understand their genotype and its implications before making major life decisions, particularly those relating to marriage and family planning.
Although she declined to take a position on the debate motion, which questioned whether government should prevent people with sickle cell traits from marrying one another, Lajide stressed that the priority should be ensuring that citizens are adequately informed.
“We must all be informed. Every individual needs to know their genotype and understand what it means so they can make informed decisions about their future,” she said.
She noted that sickle cell disorder goes beyond medical complications, saying affected families often endure emotional, physical and financial challenges resulting from recurring pain crises, frequent hospital visits and prolonged treatment. She encouraged students to become ambassadors of genotype awareness by sharing the knowledge gained during the competition with their classmates, friends and family members.
Earlier, the acting Director of Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Dr. Abosede Wellington, said the debate and quiz competition was deliberately chosen to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day because the state sought to create lasting impact rather than stage a ceremonial event.
According to her, the competition was designed to equip students with accurate knowledge about sickle cell disorder and empower them to make informed health decisions while becoming advocates for awareness within their communities.
She urged participants to see the competition as an opportunity for learning and personal development, adding that every contestant was already a winner.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, described information as a powerful tool in combating the disease and urged students to spread awareness in their schools and homes while supporting people living with sickle cell disorder.
Also, the Chairperson, Coalition of Sickle Cell NGOs and Chief Executive Officer of Crimson Bow Sickle Cell Initiative, Miss Timi Edwin, said sickle cell disorder was not a death sentence, noting that advances in care now enable many people living with the condition to enjoy longer, healthier and more productive lives.
Consultant, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Timilehin Rotimi-Ojo, encouraged students to sustain conversations on genotype awareness by asking family members and friends whether they knew their genotype, while calling for greater empathy towards people living with the condition.
Executive Director, Couples and Kids Social Initiative, Miss Tofunmi Adekola, commended the Lagos State Government for its sustained commitment to improving the lives of persons living with sickle cell disorder and urged contestants to approach the competition with confidence.
Editor-in-Chief of Sickle Cell News and author of Menace in My Blood, Ayoola Olajide, who lives with sickle cell disorder, reinforced the campaign message by recounting his attendance at the 90th birthday celebration of another person living with the condition, describing it as evidence that sickle cell warriors can live long and fulfilling lives with proper care and support.
Founder, Lagos State University Sickle Cell Society, Ayomide Durodola, also called for an end to stigma and discrimination against persons living with the disorder.
In the debate competition, Surulere Senior Secondary School, Alagbado, emerged overall winner, while Community High School, Majidun, and Alimosho Senior High School placed second and third respectively.
The quiz category was won by Aminat Akintelu of Oriwu Junior Model College, with Akapo Ayomide Raphael of Mende Junior High School finishing second and Adedeji Emmanuel of Alimosho Junior Grammar School taking third place.
Speaking after the competition, Akintelu said the contest broadened her understanding of genotype compatibility, sickle cell interventions and available support systems despite the challenge of balancing preparation with schoolwork.
Debate champion Abdulyekeen Ramatallahi of Surulere Senior Secondary School dedicated his victory to his teacher, Mr. Ayo Alebiosu, and called for expanded government-sponsored genotype awareness campaigns as well as free or subsidised genotype testing to help young people make informed marriage decisions.
Alebiosu commended the Ministry of Health for organising the initiative, revealing that his school held intensive rehearsals throughout the holiday period to secure victory while urging Nigerians to know their genotype.
