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10th year Anniversary: SPE Abuja Chapter Walks for Sickle Cell

*Honours outstanding members

-By Danlami Nasir Isah

In celebration of its 10th year anniversary, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Section 199, Abuja in collaboration with Valuechain Sickle Cell Foundation took to the streets of Abuja to create awareness on the sickle cell disease in Nigeria. The event was part of the sections’ CSR strategy for community and society engagement.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of the Anniversary Celebration, Dr. Ikechukwu Okafor, stressed the need for Governments to provide better medical support and care for people suffering from Sickle Cell Anaemia. He called on Nigerians to end the needless stigmatization of people living with sickle cell disease popularly known as ‘Sickle Cell Warriors’, while calling on them to support foundations like Valuechain Sickle Cell Foundation in a bid to give these  warriors a chance to live normal life.

While speaking earlier before the commencement of the walk, the Founder of Valuechain Sickle Cell Foundation, Musa Bashir Usman said the foundation is delighted to collaborate with SPE Abuja chapter for the walk to create more awareness on sickle cell disease in Nigeria. He called on the government to provide facilities in all the Primary Health Care Centers in the country to cater for sickle cell patients.

The Founder also advised the sickle cell warriors and their parents not to relent in taking good care of themselves by adhering to their routine medications, and observing all the do and don’ts prescribed by their medical personnel.

Also speaking at the event, one of the sickle cell warriors who is also the deputy coordinator of the Valuechain Sickle Cell Foundation, Miss Hauwa Muhammad Lawal called on intending couples to know their genotype status before tying the knot as this will surely eliminate or reduce the number of people leaving with the disease in the country.

The walk which began from Berger round-about and lasted for three hours, terminated at Jabi Lake Mall; attracted Captains of the industries, Sickle Cell warriors, Professionals and Student Members, and Civil Society groups.

Some well-meaning Nigerians who spoke during the event appealed to the government to create more awareness to enlighten the youths about the red blood cell diseases.

The 10th year Anniversary celebrations of professional excellence by SPE Abuja Section later continued in the evening of the same day with a virtual plenary session themed ‘My SPE Story”. The session attracted founding members, past executives who inspired attendees with impactful testimonial opportunities of their professional career and experiences in their SPE journey.

Speakers at the event included, Professor G. A. Chukwu (President/CEO Toncia Energy), Engr. George Kalu (Founding Abuja Section Chair), Stella Ogbudu (Executive Board Member, SPE Port Harcourt), Rahima Abubarkar (Immediate Past treasurer, SPE Abuja), and Mr. Ere Iyalla (Section Director), and over 50 participants.

According to the chapter’s Publicity Chair, Mufathu Salman, the anniversary celebrations also featured recognition and awards where the Section acknowledged and rewarded efforts, accomplishments and contributions of its members.

Some of the recipients of the awards are; Dr. Vitus Ibeh, Engr. George Kalu, Salahuddeen M. Tahir, Ere Iyalla and Aristotle C. John-Emezi who were bestowed with Distinguished Service Award. Others are Engr. Amina Danmadami who received Service Award for her exceptional contributions and devotion to the chapter.

Institutions such as Nile University and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund were also honoured with Distinguished Corporate Service Award.

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