- The NDDC Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Dr Patience Ezugu (middle), handing over a health kit to Master Israel David (left), during the Sickle Cell Health Promotion and Sensitisation programme at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. On the right is the Founder of Sickle Cell Awareness Initiative Ireland-Nigeria, SCAIIN, Mrs Esther Pepple Onolememen
By Emmanuel Ukudolo I Friday, January 30.26
PORT HARCOURT – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a powerful call to action, insisting that the “holistic development” of the region is impossible without a healthy and resilient population.
Speaking at a major Sickle Cell Health Promotion and Sensitisation event at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, NDDC Managing Director Dr Samuel Ogbuku warned that Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) remains a critical public health threat across Nigeria, particularly within the Niger Delta.
Represented by the Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Dr Patience Ezugu, Ogbuku stressed that the Commission’s mandate extends far beyond infrastructure.
“Sustainable development is impossible without a healthy population,” Ogbuku stated. “This programme reinforces our commitment to preventive healthcare, early diagnosis, and community education.”
The Managing Director issued a direct appeal to the region’s youth, urging them to prioritise genotype testing before starting families. He emphasised that “informed choices save lives” and that the goal is to ensure every young person understands compatibility to prevent the disease from being passed to the next generation.
The initiative is a collaborative effort with the Sickle Cell Awareness Initiative Ireland-Nigeria (SCAIIN). Its founder, Mrs Esther Pepple Onolememen, praised the NDDC for recognising that SCD is more than just a medical condition—it is a social and developmental hurdle.
”We are rewriting the story of sickle cell in Nigeria,” Onolememen said. “Moving from silence to knowledge, from stigma to support, and from neglect to action.”
The campaign has already struck a chord with local families. Mr Derefaka Yemiesibo, whose child lives with the condition, expressed his gratitude to the Commission, noting that such advocacy helps families build the resilience needed to manage the disorder.
The NDDC pledged to continue its support for:
Improved access to care for existing patients; Stigma reduction through community mobilisation and ollaborative research and counselling for health professionals.
By focusing on “Prevention and Care,” the NDDC aims to ensure that the future of the Niger Delta is not just prosperous, but healthy enough to enjoy that prosperity.
