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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
A foundation, Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation, (SCHAF) has honoured the Managing Director of CEOAFRICA, Cletus Ilobanafor, for his outstanding support in the fight against the disease.
The Foundation, while honouring Ilobanafor with an Excellence Award noted that the Enugu State born media guru has been contributing his resources and expertise towards the promotion and projections of the Foundation which was started in 2012.
Presenting the award at the ceremony tagged “SCHAF 2023 Gifting Day”, to the Head of Administration of CEO Africa, Blessing Abara, the founder of SCHAF, Prof Adeyinka Gladys, acknowledged the immense contributions of CEO AFRICA, particularly, in creating awareness about the activities of the Foundation.
In her words: “The CEO AFRICA) means a lot to SCHAF. They are here voluntarily to come and take awareness about our Foundation to the whole of Africa. They are the ones helping us and we want to appreciate the outfit for doing a wonderful job of projecting our activities to the world.
She noted that the sickle cell foundation was established 11 years ago to increase the awareness and improve the quality of care and support for sickle cell patients.
Adeyinka, a Professor of Hematology and winner of UNESCO-L’Oreal in 2001, stated further that the Foundation has continued to make a giant stride in the sickle cell world.
She disclosed that SCHAF recently partnered with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Oyo State and established the Foundation in 5 major zones of NYSC in the state with the KYG campaign.
While expressing gratitude to God for the success of all the activities the Foundation embarked on in the course of the year despite all the challenges it encountered, the SCHAF founder thanked sponsors, pharmaceutical companies, volunteers for various supports and donations given to the Foundation.
According to her, the support received and collaborations have been instrumental in helping to provide assistance and support to a larger number of sickle cell warriors with improved care.
Adeyinka, however, lauded the efforts of the Federal Government in her support for the sickle cell organization, calling for more support especially in the insurance aspect, submitting that the type of care and support the sickle cell patients require is a lifetime commitment.
On her part, the President of SCHAF, Prof. Oluwatoyin Nwafor, said that the Federal Government should continue to look at initiatives that help with screening and education around sickle cell disease.
“There are a large number of people out there who are not aware of how the disease can be managed. So, the government can put in place an empowerment programme and fund research to support those living with sickle cell disease, Nwafor, a Professor of Infectious Disease in Medicine stated.
The chairman of the award event, Justice Tayo Osoba, commended SCHAF for its relentless effort and steadfastness in its mission to provide hope, assistance and empowerment to individuals battling with sickle cell disease, submitting “With the continued support of sponsors, volunteers and the community at large, SCHAF aims to make an even greater impact in the years to come.”
