I Will Support Sickle-cell Patients, Ambode declares

To commemorate his selection as the patron of the Sickle Cell Club Lagos, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has affirmed his unrelenting support for Sickle Cell patients with the completion of the bone marrow transplant centre to aid treatment.Ambode said: “I am surrounded by people who have sickle-cell disorder, so I understand the importance of what you are doing. In my personal capacity, I have also tried to touch lives.“I know what sickle-cell disorder means to the average Nigerian family. Like you rightly pointed out, every extended family in Nigeria is affected by this and for a non-governmental organisation to come up and be in existence for almost two decades is commendable.“The strides you have made speak volumes of your level of commitment and the need to touch humanity which is something that also affects me.“Whatever it is that we have had in terms of partnership with the Ministry of Health, we are going to intensify it.“I know that by doing this, we will be doing the major assignment given to us by God, which is touching humanity. I want to thank you greatly for bestowing this honour on me.”The induction ceremony was conducted by Prof. Olu Akinyanju, the Chairman of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria, assisted by the National Director of the foundation, Annette Akinsete, at the Lagos State House, Ikeja.Prof. Akinyanju said the essence of the visit was to stress the need for continued partnership with the state government.