Christ the King wins sickle cell debate

Christ the King International School, Gbagada, Lagos state, has emerged winner of the yearly Sickle Cell Secondary Schools Debate, organised by the Dabma Sickle Cell Foundation. The school defeated 16 schools to clinch the top spot.

Two representatives of the school, Oladele Demitade and Adetayo Ayomide, carted away the grand prize of N100, 000 along with other prizes.

The maiden edition of the debate was held at the National Hall, Gbagada, Lagos, and it is meant to provide a platform to promote sickle cell awareness, reading culture, and research among Nigerian youths.

Speaking at the event, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dabma Sickle Cell Foundation, Pastor Emmanuel Dickson Ibekwe, said the exercise was aimed at creating in-depth awareness on sickle cell anaemia through research, debates and enlightenment and education of youths and the society.

Ibekwe recalled how he lost his 17-year-old undergraduate daughter, niece and other relatives to sickle cell anaemia, despite the pains and financial burden experienced by him and family to keep them alive.

He advised governments at various levels, corporate bodies and individuals to support programmes aimed at creating awareness about sickle cell anaemia.