By Ebunoluwa Sessou

One Mrs Opeyemi Afolabi, a sickle cell warrior, was one of the 300 patients who were gifted with cash as a form of financial empowerment at the Grand Finale of the Project Empower A Warrior, 3.0 organised by the CrimsonBow Sickle Cell Initiative, a non-profit organisation.

Afolabi who was a guest at the event narrated how she lost her job because someone told her employer she had the disorder.
With the theme, “Health and Wealth: Balancing Entrepreneurship in Sickle Cell”, Afolabi, however urged the people living with sickle cell anaemia to believe in themselves and not be confirmed or intimidated.

The entrepreneur advised all people living with sickle cell to be hard-working with determination and resilience, to make an impact, while also prioritising their health. “Without you business does not exist, you must prioritise your health.

“Don’t bite more than you can chew. You need to understand your body, strength and weakness, while engaging in entrepreneurship.”

Also sharing experiences, Mr Oluwagbohunmi Dada, a warrior and also an entrepreneur, said the disease had not received the required attention in the country.

Describing sickle cell as not a death sentence, Dada said that the Government must give attention in the form of research to develop drugs to ease the crisis faced by patients.
“I’m here because I actually do have sickle cell. I am a warrior. I am here today to be able to encourage other people that it (sickle cell anaemia) is not a death sentence.

“It is not something to be afraid of or to say that you are going to stop living. I have had a very decent career and I am married with kids.
“I run a business as well. So, sickle cell does not necessarily mean that you are to be confined or limited into a particular space,” he urged.

According to him, much more is needed to be done in the country to ease the crisis or the issues that confront patients regularly.
“In different places in the world, there is government funded research, there is private medical research to be able to develop, solutions, drugs to be able to help,” Dada said.

He urged the sickle cell patients to get involved in entrepreneurship without underrating themselves to navigate the current economic condition.

“Please, do something and put your energy into entrepreneurship. Nothing is easy upon the earth, focus on your business.

“This will help you to solve many problems. Don’t have any shame, believe in yourself and never allow anyone to write you off,” he said.

The panelists, who were all sickle cell patients in different fields, stressed the need for hard work, determination, resilience, and health priority, because of down times for sickle cell patients.

The Founder of Crimson Bow, Miss Timi Ediwn urged the patients to take away worries and give attention to quality health and entrepreneurship to survive current economic challenges.

Edwin, who noted that the Lagos State Government had been supportive of the cause of Sickle Cell, calls for more efforts to make patients live a normal life.

“Aside from our vocational and mental empowerment, we have given 10 outstanding patients in different skills a sum of N50, 000 each to start up or boost their business.

“As part of our financial empowerment, the winner of the Business Pitch Competitions was awarded N500, 000, the first runner-up got 250,000 while the second runner-up collected N150, 000,” the founder said.

Urging the government to get the nation’s health system right, especially primary healthcare, Edwin said there was the need for more awareness, resources, infrastructure and opportunities for sickle cell patients.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Crimson Bow Sickle Cell Initiative Mrs. Folashade Shinkaye, said that building up patients in entrepreneurship had become imperative.

The Guest Lecturer and Business Consultant, Mr. Gabriel Omin, urged patients not to underrate themselves, but engage in profitable business, while not jeopardising their health.

Omin urged the patients to know what to do and to make research before venturing into any business.

Cautioning against stress as sickle cell patients in business, Omin said that too much stress could trigger a crisis, noting “Know your limits and work within them.”

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mrs Toyin Suarau, commended the NGO’s commitment toward empowering sickle cell patients and alleviating economic challenges they face through financial grants, mentorship, and medications.

“It is expedient to note that Sickle Cell Anaemia Individuals need the needed support to thrive and live a fulfilling life.

“Many homes and marriages have been affected by this disease and all hands must be on deck to assist these families and further enlighten the society on preventive measures.

“It is the responsibility of the government, civil societies, NGOs, Individuals and health sector actors, among others, to be supportive and collaborate in ensuring that those who live with sickle cell live a normal life,” Sanwo-Olu said.

She described the theme of empowerment as apt, timely and laudable in view of the prevailing economic situation.

According to her, the project will go a long way to make life easier for sickle cell patients, provide business opportunities for them and ultimately bring succor to their families.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu said that the initiative perfectly aligned with the THEMES PLUS developmental agenda of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in providing mental, medical, and economic support services for individuals living with sickle cell.

She however called on all critical stakeholders to play up and scale up advocacy to ensure that the larger percentages of the people were adequately armed with the required information.

Highlights of the event were cash gifts given to 250 people living with sickle cell with various entrepreneurial skills and start up grants.

Speaking, Ms Adedayo Olugbade, a skincare formulator and winner of the N500, 000 Project Empowering a Warrior (PEW) Business Pitch Competition, said that funds would help her acquire materials to boost her business.

Also, a beneficiary of Micro Grant, Mrs Abiola Adekunle, who was empowered with catering skills, said the grant was unexpected.

Also, Miss Basirat Adeyemi, empowered with baking entrepreneurial skill, said that she was overwhelmed with the grant, describing it as a dream come through.