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Ogun Governor’s Wife Calls for Collaborative Efforts to Support Sickle Cell Patients

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Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, wife of the governor of Ogun, on Wednesday said the collaborative efforts of healthcare providers, governments and international organisations remain essential in supporting sickle cell patients.

Mrs Abiodun, who stated this during the commemoration of 2024 World Sickle Cell Day in Abeokuta, said this also applied to the delivery of equitable healthcare to them.

The event had the theme “Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally”.

The governor’s wife noted that the theme of the event was apt, as it emphasised the importance and effectiveness of speaking with one voice to advance sickle cell care.

She added that it was a call to unite the sickle cell community, to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage those affected by the disorder.

“Sickle cell disease affects millions worldwide, transcending race and ethnicity, with a significant proportion of affected individuals in Africa.

“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria accounts for about 33 per cent of the 300,000 children diagnosed every year with the disease.

“We can expect that a good number of such children will be born in Ogun, as our own Ministry of Health has said that 25 per cent of the country’s total population are carriers of genes that give rise to the genetic disorder.

“The recent approval of gene therapies in America marks a significant milestone in sickle cell disease treatment, offering hope for a cure.

“However, for us in Africa, we must work even harder to improve accessibility and affordability of these treatments for all patients,” Mrs Abiodun said.

According to her, the disease does not only negatively impact the patient, but also the entire family.

The governor’s wife explained that parents often bore the emotional and financial toll of caring for a sick child and watching a loved one in severe pain and other complications.

She pointed out that the Day serves as a reminder of the daily challenges faced by sickle cell patients.

”I therefore call for urgent action in the area of education, sensitisation and enlightenment to checkmate the genetic disorder in the state and the world at large,” Mrs Abiodun said..

In her remarks, the Founder, Aglow Sickle Cell Club, Dr Funke Oyeneye, commended the Gov. Dapo Abiodun-led administration for improving access to quality healthcare in the state.

She disclosed that Ogun was the first state in the federation to have health insurance scheme for sickle cell patients and pregnant women.

“I urge individuals and corporate bodies to continue to amplify the voices of patients and families affected by the disease.

”I also appeal for support from patient advocacy groups in creating awareness and reducing stigma,” Oyeneye said.

The event was organised by Mrs Abiodun’s pet project, the Ajose Foundation, and the Aglow Sickle Cell Club to sensitise people to the menace of sickle cell.

It had in attendance children and adults living with the sickle cell anaemia across the state, with side attractions such as sickle cell diary, drama, poem, talent-hunt and quiz competition.(NAN)

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Tinubu Honors Buhari, Renames University of Maiduguri after Late President

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By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.

“May we now adopt the University of Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University,” Tinubu said at the close of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.

The President paid a glowing tribute to Buhari, describing him as “a good man, a decent man, an honourable man” whose legacy of discipline, patriotism and moral uprightness would endure for generations.

Tinubu said although the late president was not without flaws, his unwavering commitment to national service set him apart.

“President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.

“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.

“His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God,” he said.

Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office and his long military and civil service, Tinubu praised the late leader’s simplicity, humility, and stoic resistance to the trappings of power.

He said, “He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.

“His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism lived more in action than in words.”

Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which culminated in the historic 2015 elections that marked Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.

“We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.

“When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint,” he said.

The President expressed admiration for Buhari’s post-office modesty, noting that he returned to his hometown, Daura, without seeking to wield influence behind the scenes.

“When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.

“Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns,” he added.

Tinubu thanked the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting state funeral within 48 hours, describing it as a “profound honour” to lead the burial procession in Daura.

He concluded his tribute with a prayer: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”

Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.

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C’River First Female NUJ Chairman Describes Tenure as Trial Period

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The first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River, Archibong Bassey has said that her first tenure in office was a trial period.

Bassey, who was returned unopposed in council’s election, made the assertion in an interview on Thursday in Calabar.

The Bassey- led executive was first elected on 9th May 2025, to complete the tenure of Nsa Gill, who was then appointed as Chief Press Secretary to Gov.

Bassey Otu.

The chairman, who thanked the members for keeping faith in her and her team, said that she would improve on her achievements while correcting any mistakes she might have made in her first tenure.

She pleaded that any member who she must have offended in the course of her leadership should forgive her as she was not perfect and called for unity among members.

“Let’s leave any form of rancour behind, I need all your support;push me from the back, support me as you can.

‘’Tell me your ideas of moving the council forward and not what someone told you about me; I am asking God for the spirit of humility and love, to enable me lead the council well.’’

Earlier in his goodwill message, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, Cross River’s Commissioner for Information, had commended the union’s unity in electing its new executives.

According to Ekpang, they will continue as a government to give the Cross River Council of NUJ what it needs and all the necessary support to enable it carry out its functions objectively.

“I want to thank you for your unity, it’s better to come unopposed, I believe one day, the Cross River Council will emerge as the best in the nation,” he said.

Other executive members who were returned unopposed are Mr Sunday Inah of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) as Vice Chairman, Michael Abang of Business Day as Secretary.

Others are Kingsley Agim of the Cross River Ministry of Information as Assistant Secretary, Mrs Achiane Adams of the Ministry of Information, Treasurer, and Benedine Tete Anam of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Auditor.

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Gov Makinde Confered With Prestigious Chieftaincy Title of Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land by Akure Kingdom

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The Akure Kingdom will today bestow a prestigious chieftaincy title, Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land, meaning President of the Respectable People, upon His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

The conferment ceremony, which will take place in Akure, Ondo State, marks a significant recognition of Governor Makinde’s exemplary leadership, integrity, and contributions to the advancement of Yoruba culture and national development.

The title, one of the highest honors in the Akure Kingdom, celebrates individuals who embody the virtues of respect, dignity, and service to humanity.

Governor Makinde’s conferment reflects his outstanding commitment to good governance, infrastructural development, and fostering unity across Nigeria.

The ceremony will be attended by traditional rulers, dignitaries, and government officials, underscoring the significance of this historic event.

This honor further strengthens the bond between Oyo and Ondo States, fostering mutual respect and cooperation for the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.

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