This week was sickle cell week in Nigeria, so to speak. Being the country with the highest number of sickle cell warriors in the world, it was no surprise that a series of events took place from the 13th of June till today, the actual sickle cell day (June 19). It was the week to create awareness, sensitize, listen to sickle cell warriors’ stories, donate blood, and check our genotypes.
Yes, here in Abuja we no longer say ‘sickle cell patient” with remorse and regret. We proudly call them Warriors because they’ve been through so much yet they continue to stand unbroken. We hope this title, warrior, continues to resonate till it reaches the whole world.
Anyway, one of these warriors is Muhammad Nura Abdullahi, a nice, funny, kind, resourceful guy (the praises might take forever cause he’s really that great, so I’ll just end here.)
Another reason why mothers were the focus of the event was because of Mrs. Aliyu, Nura’s late friends’ mom, Asmau Aliyu, who passed away last year.
“Asmau’s mother served as a sort of strength to me. Even when Asmau died it was her consoling us, and not us consoling her. These women do a lot and we can’t really pay them back and sometimes we tend to overlook all they’ve done. My mother has been my backbone through my health and my education, and so much more. So it’s really just about appreciating our mothers,” Nura said.
The event was a kind of tribute to Asmau, also a sickle cell warrior, to celebrate the bountiful life she lived.
Duly titled ‘My Mother, My Hero,’ the event held at the very posh Bantu Studio in Garki II. It was an intimate, close knit event, and several sickle cell warriors went on stage to tell the stories of their mothers’ never ending support throughout their lives.
“The only one who really shares your pain when you’re in crisis, is your mother,” said Albert Emmanuel, student at Baze University. He stood out on stage and praised his mother.
Throughout the event, there were laughs:
Sometime ago, when Nura had a crisis, he solemnly told his mother “I’m going to die,” and she replied, “That is what you said last time.”
And then there were tears:
Like when Nura spoke, and when Samira Sanusi spoke, and when Nnamdi Chiejina spoke, and literally every time someone told their story.
If your eyes weren’t wet or dripping throughout that event then it’s evident that you’re colder than the white walkers on GOT. *shudders*
Everyone had a unique story to tell.
And there were also warnings: “Sickle cell warriors should not be left alone, they should always have somebody with them, because they’ll always need help,” said Mrs. Mercy Emmanuel. She also advised sickle cell warriors in the audience and their close ones to trust in themselves, because not all doctors were perfect or as experienced, and it was better to be safe than sorry.
The great part about it all was most moms were there to listen to their children gush about them. And they had chances to tell their own stories, and express gratitude.
Asmau Aliyu’s mother read a piece of Asmau’s autobiography, and she said some sweet words as well.
Mrs. Emmanuel expressed gratitude at having an event dedicated to her and fellow moms:
“It is quite rewarding in that it’s nice to know that you’re being appreciated as a mother after all the trying times you’ve gone through with your child,” she said.
There were many an exchange of sweet words, and Samira Sanusi, Sameer Ahmed and Amira Adam told stories about their heroes, who were their dads, and in Amira’s case, her stepmom.
Salamatu Sule read a sweet poem, and towards the end of the show it was evident the message sunk in. A member of the audience, Eki Oviasu said she enjoyed the show and pressed on for sickle cell advocacy to continue.
“Sickle cell awareness is really important because we need to know our genotype to prevent it from continuing. It is a painful thing to see a mother watch their child go through so much pain and not be able to do anything to help them,” she said.
Muhsin Sadiq, another member of the audience felt the same way.
“The message said was clear: we can use it to change the future, like start being cautious about intermarriage between AS and AS, so we can help the next generation,” he noted.
Mrs. Faith Chiejina, Nnamdi’s mom, expressed elation at being recognized.
“I am very happy that for once we are allowed to tell our story and to hear from other mothers’ sides. It has been a very long journey and it is not easy being a mother to a child who has sickle cell [anaemia]. Today’s event was extremely beautiful and it helped,” she said.
‘My Mother, My Hero,’ touched us all, and taught us a lot. I went back home and hugged my mother twice. She asked what for, and when I said for being there, she smiled.
We should all appreciate our mothers, fathers, and siblings. They do so much for us but somehow we all feel oh yeah we’re related so eez allowed. Show some love to your family and friends people.
Please say a silent prayer for Asmau Aliyu, she was a beautiful soul who left so soon.
And most importantly, know your genotype. I am glad that we are in a generation that is preaching vehemently about this, and with organizations like Samira Sanusi Sickle Cell Foundation, Sickle Cell Anaemia Foundation, and outspoken advocates like Muhammad Nura Abdullahi, I genuinely see a future where Nigeria is not the country with the highest number of sickle cell warriors, because we all know our genotype and avoid marrying for love.
Like Samira Sanusi said: “if you end up having a sickle cell child how sure are you you’ll be able to take care of that child?”
Hope you had an educative sickle cell day today!
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