Date 2019-06-03
Category Food & Health
It was a day of joy for persons who were born with Sickle Cell anaemia and their relatives as Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa commissioned a referral centre to aid their medical requirements.
The centre which was donated by 05 Initiative, a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) founded by the Wife of the Governor, Dame Edith Okowa, is fully equipped.
The donation which is part of activities to mark the birthday celebration of the Dame Okowa is one of many other donations over the years by the Delta First Lady.
Speaking while commissioning the facility, Gov. Okowa harped on the need for Nigerians to make efforts at touching the lives of other less privileged Nigerians around them.
He stressed that would be a positive chain reaction if all Nigerians that have the capability, impacted on the life of just one person around them.
“I am glad that the 05 Initiative was founded and committed to helping one individual at a time.
“As Nigerians, if we impact on the life of one person positively, that person will go ahead to impact on the life of another person and within a short period, we will have a country where the people will be willing at all times to help one another.
“This commissioning exercise is coinciding with the birthday celebration of my wife, while I say, happy birthday to her, I am glad that every year she celebrates her birthday touching the lives of other people,” the governor said.
Governor Okowa used the occasion to disclose that at his 60th birthday which will be coming up in the month of July, 2019, he will be celebrating with the less privileged.
While thanking his wife for having the vision to assist people with sickle cell disorder and assist the hopeless in the society, Gov. Okowa also thanked donors to 05 Initiative, stating that the NGO was strictly driven by donations from individuals and agencies.
Dame Okowa in an address at the event said, “with the addition of this centre, it brings to 13 the total number of Sickle Cell Clinics established by the 05 Initiative in its relatively short history.
“The other twelve clinics are located at Ughelli, Sapele, Oleh, Kwale, Eku, Patani, Koko, Otu-Jeremi, Agbor, Orerokpe, Issele-Uku and Umunede.”
“Every one of these clinics is fitted with modern equipment, quality furniture, and manned by skilled and knowledgeable personnel.
“Sickle cell patients face peculiar health challenges including episodes of pain, frequent infections, delayed growth, and vision problem not to mention the social stigma associated with the disorder in our environment.
“I am not expecting you to change the world; all I ask is that you change the world of one person; do that and you would have accomplished a world of good,” she said.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) had in an opening speech scored 05 Initiatives high in meeting with its vision and giving hope to the hopeless.
“This Sickle Cell Centre is the second of its kind in Nigeria and I congratulate and commend the founder of 05 initiative, Dame Okowa for her commitment to leaving a legacy that will endure for all time,” Prof. Azinge said.
He expressed optimism that the centre would help reduce high mortality rate in persons dealing with sickle cell disorder, urging good spirited Nigerians to donate to the course.
Wives of the Governor of Edo State and her Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Mrs Betsy Obaseki and Mrs Martha Udom respectively were among dignitaries who attended the event.
(NAN)
