....provides over 20 jobs for them.
The government of Anambra state led by Gov. Willie Obiano has
reassured people living with sickle cell Anaemia of its commitment to
improve and ameliorate their lives as the state government allots 21
employment slots to members of the association.
This was made public by the chairman Anambra Local Government Service
Commission Dr P. Egenti, During the maiden edition of a walk in honor
of persons living with sickle cell disorder tagged " ANAMBRA walks to
life" The walk session which went through the streets of Awka capital
city lasted for about three hours had in attendance distinguished
government and media personnel comprising of 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,
Others include 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, members of the Red Cross and Federal Road Safety
Commission
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 honour 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; she urged 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
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 speaking 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.
The high point of the event were the distribution of 57 First Aid
Boxes and drugs, to the member of the Association, courtesy of the
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and entertainment by top comedians,
dance and music artist.
Chigozie Umeh writes from Adazi Nnukwu
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