Sickle Cell Warriors commended, urged to aim higher

PRESIDENT of Chiemma Empowerment Foundation,  Chinwe Francis Nnagbo has charged  sickle cell warriors to aim higher and forget the circumstances behind their births because they are special people and  deserve to be celebrated.

 She stated this during the World Sickle Cell Day, which the foundation  organised in collaboration with Anambra State Government, on  Saturday at Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, with theme,’ Importance of Genotype Compatibility in Marriage’. She noted that the day was used to create awareness on genotype compatibility.

 According to her, “we have done a good job today. I  am happy a lot of students and youths are here and i am sure they have learnt a lot but anyone who makes mistake in future, I think the person needs to be blamed but right now, i am happy that we are learning and we will keep learning.  We will continue going to schools and so many other places to create more awareness and teaching people the importance of  staying compatible in marriage”.

 Nnagbo further encouraged people to monitor their health closely, do their test regularly and also take their routine drugs to keep fit.

 Speaking at the event, the wife of Anambra State Governor, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, represented by the Special Adviser to  Governor Willie Obiano on Health and Executive Secretary, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi charged all parents that have  sickle cell warriors to avoid anything that will cause them to have fever,  avoid buying things like soft drinks, pizza among others but rather, give them more of fruits and vegetables.

“If you are a warrior, you will live your life to the fullest, study your books because warriors are known as  most brilliants because they reduce the time they will use to run around to studying their books.  For the single ladies who are ready for marriage, be careful. Get to know the genotype of someone before going into marriage.

  He urged the warriors to take regular checkups as the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has provided free medical care for them through ASHIA.

 Director Fides Media, Rev. Fr. Dr. Martin Anusi said that “the issue we are having is religion without spirituality.  It is very important for us to believe in the truth. God created all of us to have great success in life but that gift is in our hands. Let us not make ourselves victims of giving birth to sicklers out of ignorance. 

Fr. Anusi urged parents to nurture their kids and make them live up to their expectations.   

 One of the participants, Faith Michael Ifunanyachukwu expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life and encouraged her colleagues to know that there is a purpose for their lives. According to her, ‘you have a purpose in life and you have to try to find out why you were created, what you are  supposed to achieve and the moment you start thinking about that, you will never see it as a problem to you’.

 The event featured top government officials,  doctors from far and near, students, friends and well-wishers, among others.