Atiku tasks all in fight against sickle cell, Kalu hails him

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said the fight against sickle cell anaemia must involve every citizen of the country if Nigeria must succeed in the battle against the dreaded disease. This is as foermer Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu has eulogised Atiku on his 67th birthday.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is a detribalised Nigerian who has demonstrated that irrespective of religion, tribe, political and social strata, friendship has no bounds

He has contributed his own quota to the growth and development of the nation in both private and public capacities.”

Kalu said Abubakar’s life is a testimony to the fact that one can rise through life no mater the odds and challenges.

Meanwhile, the former Vice President spoke about the fight against sickle cell on Monday during a visit to the Maidunama Sickle Cell Foundation in Abuja, as part of activities marking his 67th birthday celebration.

“Considering the fact that sickle cell anaemia remains the number two killer of children after malaria, it is important that the whole society rises in unison to confront the danger that sickle cell poses to our society,” Atiku said.

According to him, “because these children are our future, we must not relent in our effort to ensure that every obstacle that stands in the way of their growing to adulthood is effectively removed.”

The former Vice President was particularly touched by the situation of a 13-year-old John Moses, who in spite of his age could not stand on his feet.  The Turaki Adamawa, after making a donation of three million Naiara (N3, 000, 000) to the Foundation, called on other well-to-do individuals in the country, government and corporate organisations to similarly identify with the Maidunama Sickle Cell Foundation and other sickle cell combating organisations in Nigeria.

Founder of the Foundation, Hajjia Rabi Maidunama, thanked the former Vice President for identifying with the sickle cell children on his birthday anniversary.

She noted that sufficient attention is not being accorded to the fight against sickle, noting, “sickle cell has remained an abandoned disease in the country