The Brand New Toyota Ambulance Bus with the registration number, ABJ–84BL, Abuja, donated to the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, by the Young People’s Party (YPP) Candidate for the November eight gubernatorial election in the State, Sir Paul Chukwuma, has been commissioned by the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi.
Performing the function yesterday, amidst other personalities that attended the occasion, held in the premises of the orphanage home at Agulu as part of activities to mark the 2025 United Nations World Sickle Cell Day Celebration in Anambra State, Mr. Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, said that he was overwhelmed with the people’s unrelenting philanthropic gestures to the inmates of the home for their resounding up keep.
Obi, represented on the occasion by his chief media aide, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, thanked God that the young children have embraced their faith and always look up to Him for their daily sustenance.
He called on those living in affluence in the society to always think about the society and humanity, calling on the people, especially those who are yet to marry to do the necessary tests required of them and obtain their certificates with a view to ensuring that they are compatible before venturing into marriage to avoid any form of regret of their marriage life.
Obi, who thanked the YPP governorship candidate in the November 8 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Sir Chukwuma, who was represented by his running mate, Mr. Uzu Okagbue, said that the unseasoned commitment demonstrated by the benefactor and others in the orphanage home will no doubt spur him to continue do more for the home.
While applauding the uncommon commitment of the Director of the orphanage home, Aisha Edwards Maduagwu in promoting the welfare of the children, Obi pleaded with the well to do individuals in the community to always give arms to the home, especially now the economy of the country is not smiling with anybody.
The LP presidential candidate, who spoke among other things, equally called on Nigerian governments at all levels to always make budget available for orphanage homes in the country for their continuous sensitization campaign on the inherent dangers of the dreaded disease in order to reduce its negative impacts on humanity and the nation’s economy as well.
He stated that the Catholic church in the state has made it compulsory that the intending couples should obtain their compatible certificate and present same to the church before they could be wedded by the the church, a measure he described as apt in the fight against the monster in the society.
In a remark, the benefactor, Sir Chukwuma, said that he was nostalgic over what the Director of the orphanage home, Mrs Maduagwu is doing in the home, describing the event as a day set aside by the United Nations to honour the silent warriors both alive and dead.
Chukwuma reiterated his resolve to continue to encourage the home so that the inmates will get best of life, advising them to always remain strong in faith and shun any form of fear as they go on with their lives like every other persons in the society.
Also, the PDP candidate in the 2023 election in Anambra State, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, described the event as a day to look into the plights of the sickle cell patients allover the world, stating that the Director of the home, Aisha had been of great assistance and hard working geared towards improving the health status of the children.
He lauded the efforts of the corp members serving in the area that graced the occasion, describing such character exhibited by the corp members as a mark of national unity and cohesion, regretting in a strong term the unending evils that had been ravaging the country over the years.
Presenting her address of welcome, the National Coordinator, Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder and Director, Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, Mrs Maduagwu, noted that the event held great significance in the lives of the inmates of the home as they strive to raise awareness on the importance of genotype education and sensitization in the country.
She urged the prospective couples to take their genotype status seriously and ensure compatibility before marriage, calling on Anambra State Government to expedite action on full implementation of the Anambra State Sickle Cell Disease Control and Education Law, 2019 in the state.
“This policy would give vent to the campaign against sickle cell disorder and make our dear state to become a shining example and model for others “, she said.
From him, the Mayor, Anaocha Local Government Area, Hon. Romanus Ibekwe, represented on the occasion, commended the high sense of passion of the Director of the home in piloting the affairs of the children without any iota of complain, assuring her that the council area is planing big for the home which he said that will come into fruition in the nearest future.
In conclusion, the event which was attended by the Amatutu village chairman, Mr. Chilota Ibeh and the corp members serving the area, featured speech presentations by the children of the home, series of cultural dances, cutting of anniversary cake and cutting of the ribbon by the representative of the LP presidential candidate, Mr. Val Obienyem.
Echezona Okafor.
