The Lagos State Government has charged secondary school students to become champions of sickle cell awareness by knowing their genotype, promoting informed decision-making, and educating their peers. The government declared that sustained public enlightenment remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing the burden of sickle cell disorder across the state. The call was made during an Inter-School Debate and Quiz Competition organized to commemorate the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day at the NUT Pavilion Event Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
Delivering the keynote address, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, emphasized that every individual must understand their genotype and its implications before making life-changing choices. She noted that sickle cell disorder extends beyond medical complications, explaining that affected families often face emotional, physical, and financial hardships due to frequent hospital visits and recurring pain crises.
“We must all be informed. Every individual needs to know their genotype and understand what it means so they can make informed decisions about their future, particularly on marriage and family planning,” stated Dr. Dayo Lajide, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health.
Driving Impactful Advocacy Through Education
Earlier in her welcome address, the Acting Director of Disease Control, Dr. Abosede Wellington, explained that Lagos deliberately chose a debate and quiz format because the state is committed to creating a lasting impact rather than limiting activities to ceremonial observance. She stated that the competition was designed to equip future leaders with accurate knowledge and positive values on sickle cell disorder, enabling them to become informed advocates capable of making sound health decisions.
The event also featured goodwill messages from key health stakeholders. The Executive Secretary of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, urged students to spread awareness in their schools and homes. Similarly, the Chairperson of the Coalition of Sickle Cell NGOs, Miss Timi Edwin, and Consultant with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Timilehin Rotimi-Ojo, called for greater empathy, an end to stigma, and a commitment to asking loved ones the vital question: “Do you know your genotype?”
Surulere Senior Secondary and Oriwu Junior Model College Emerge Champions
The high point of the event was the fierce intellectual rivalry among the schools. Surulere Senior Secondary School, Alagbado, emerged as the grand winner of the debate category, followed by Community High School, Majidun, and Alimosho Senior High School in second and third places, respectively. Debate winner Abdulyekeen Ramatallahi dedicated his victory to his teacher and strongly advocated for expanded government-sponsored genotype awareness campaigns and free or subsidized testing to protect young couples.
In the quiz category, Aminat Akintelu of Oriwu Junior Model College clinched the first position, while Akapo Ayomide Raphael of Mende Junior High School and Adedeji Emmanuel of Alimosho Junior Grammar School finished second and third. Akintelu expressed gratitude for the victory, noting that the rigorous preparation deepened her understanding of genotype compatibility and sickle cell interventions, empowering her to step out as a true ambassador for change.
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