Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
As the world marks World Sickle Cell Day, Nigerian-born sickle cell warrior Kesiena Ikeke has issued a passionate call to end stigma, rejection, and systemic neglect facing patients across West Africa.
In a personal essay titled, ‘Blood, Pain, and Belonging: Why It’s Time to Stop Punishing Sickle Cell Warriors’, Ikeke described living with Sickle Cell Anemia as “walking through fire” due to both severe physical pain and deep emotional scars.
“My name is Kesiena Ikeke. I was born with Sickle Cell Anemia. I am a survivor. I am a warrior. I am beautiful. I am bold. And today, as we mark World Sickle Cell Day, I proudly join my voice with every warrior still fighting,” she said.
Ikeke said growing up in Nigeria, the physical crisis was compounded by ignorance and superstition, hence the urgent need for public education, affordable care, and blood donation drives to support an estimated millions living with the condition.
“In many parts of West Africa, the lack of medical education has turned a genetic blood disorder into what many wrongly see as a spiritual curse. As a child, I wasn’t just a patient; I became a target,” she wrote.
She recounted being branded “evil”, called a financial burden, and told “you won’t live long” and “they said you are possessed” by people close to her. “Those words cut deeper than any crisis ever could,” she stated.
The warrior noted that poor medical care and forced experimental treatments left her with physical scars, while stigma cost her family relationships, friendships, and romantic relationships.
Ikeke said relocating to the United Kingdom exposed her to a different reality where sickle cell is treated as a medical condition deserving dignity and proper management, thereby she urged the Nigerian government and other West African countries to follow suit.
“In countries like Nigeria, where infrastructure is lacking, parents are left to shoulder impossible medical bills for things as basic as folic acid or life-saving blood transfusions. Government must intervene. We need subsidised care and support,” she said.
She also stressed the need for genotype awareness before marriage as according to her, “Love is never enough. If you have the sickle cell trait or are a patient, you must prioritise knowing your genotype before choosing a partner. Do not marry simply because of love and bring a child into this world to go through this lifetime of torture.”
To fellow patients, Ikeke preached selfish discipline and advised that carriers should “drink fluids constantly, eat well, rest well, and know your limits.
“I have been sacked and queried at work for being too sick to go on. But we must keep helping ourselves, even while we demand better from the world.
“Sickle cell is a blood disease, not a character flaw. It is a medical reality, not a spiritual curse. We do not need false accusations, grim predictions, or rejection. We need blood donations, proper healthcare infrastructure, awareness, love, dignity, and respect.”
CPPE Mourns Sylvester Enoghase
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has expressed profound grief over the sudden passing of the Business Editor of Independent Newspapers, Mr. Sylvester Enoghase, describing him as a committed advocate of private sector development and a trusted ally of the Nigerian business community.
In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said the organisation received with shock and deep sorrow the news of Enoghase’s demise, noting that his passing was a painful loss not only to the journalism profession but also to all stakeholders committed to enterprise, investment and economic progress in Nigeria.
According to Yusuf, the late journalist distinguished himself through professionalism, diligence, humility and an unwavering passion for economic development, consistently bringing critical business and economic issues to the fore and helping to shape public understanding of key policies and reforms.
“Sylvester was more than a journalist; he was a committed advocate of private sector development and a trusted ally of the Nigerian business community. Through his professionalism, diligence, humility and passion for economic development, he consistently amplified issues that mattered to businesses and helped shape public understanding of critical economic policies and reforms,” Yusuf said.
The CPPE chief added that the organisation would deeply miss Enoghase’s friendship, encouragement and invaluable contributions to its advocacy efforts over the years.
He extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the management and staff of Independent Newspapers Nigeria Limited, as well as members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN).
Yusuf prayed for God to comfort all those left behind and grant the departed journalist eternal rest.
