By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
Shock and confusion were the words as
women all over the world roll out red carpets to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day following the Lamentations of over 120 Persons living with Sickle Cell Disorder kicked against the exercise, describing March 8th as a day of mourning in Anambra State.
They said that instead of joining the world in celebration, the ceremony is a sad reminder of the endless pains of maltreatment and wickedness meted out to them by their respective mothers.
Also, the victims accused the State Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Ify Obinabo of alleged neglect, insensitivity and frustrating the efforts of First Lady of the state and governor’s wife Dr Nonye Soludo, to come to their aid.
This is as the State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has congratulated all women in the state and all over Nigeria on celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day today, with the theme “Inspire Inclusion”.
Expressing his sense of immense pride in the phenomenal women of Anambra State and women of Nigeria, Soludo lauded their outstanding impacts as builders of society who deserve to be celebrated.
National Coordinator of the Association of People Living With Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD) Mrs Aisha Edward Maduagwu who stayed this on Friday in an interview with Newwnen in Awka the state capital Decried the high level of abandonment and maltreatment sick cell patients are subjected to by their various wards in an attempt to wish them away to the wicked world.
She disclosed that about 90 per cent of sickle cell patients are not comfortable with their mothers,” adding that,” the International Women’s Day is a day of mourning and everything about women’s celebration reminds us of murderers.”
“Some of our mothers trapped our fathers due to desperation or quest for material resources through pregnancy while some went to forge the wrong genotype due to desperation,” she said
Narrating her ordeal Mrs Maduagwu said, “I have a girl in my Sickle Cell Home in Agulu Anaocha local government area of Anambra state Miss Chukwuletaram Ezikeere who has been with me for three years and nobody has ever come to ask of her and the number that those that brought her was not going and I got in contact with the driver that brought her and from there I got contact of the former Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs Ezikere who confirmed that the girl is her relative ”
“She also told me that the current Commissioner For Women Affairs Mrs Ify Obinabo is married to the girl’s family and I contacted her but she did nothing”
“Then we as a body paid a courtesy visit to Obinabo and she promised a lot of things and that she would add us to the list of the vulnerable community that the state government is assisting through the first lady Dr Mrs Nonye Soludo but a year after nothing happened”
“Since after that disappointment, we the people living with Sickle Cell Disorder have declared International Women’s Day a day of mourning and everything about women’s celebration reminds us of murderers and I must tell you that ninety per cent of sickle cell patients are not comfortable with their mothers ”
“While some sickle cell patients commit suicide on their own, others are being killed by their mothers and in a situation where a mother kills her child you cannot ask her what happened because she will be the first to cry and we shall come for condolence”
“There are several attitudes of these women, this particular gender that God created but, unfortunately, we found ourselves there and since we were born ninety per cent of sickle cell patients do not like their mothers”
“This is because they are prime suspects for that crime of genotype incompatibility and our mothers took several dirty steps in hoodwinking our fathers into marriage”.
Maduagwu further alleged that several letters to Dr Mrs Nonye Soludo for assistance but was frustrated by the Commissioner adding that she has been making it difficult to meet with the First Lady.
Reacting to the various allegations, Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs Mrs Ify Obinabo said, “Those living with Sickle Cell live with their families. I am employed by somebody and if she feels that I am not doing the right thing she should go to court”
“I don’t know what the woman wants she can take me and the state government to court and I don’t know what she wants and nobody has given me any dine ”
“If she likes she can go anywhere and make a press conference” she stated.
The governor said, “Your impact is undeniable. You are the indomitable spirit that drives our families, businesses, and communities forward. You are the educators, the entrepreneurs, the innovators, the builders – the very foundation of our society. Today, and every day, we celebrate you.“
This year’s theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” resonates deeply as it is a call to action, a reminder that true progress comes when we all work together, men and women, side by side.
“In Anambra, we are committed to ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential. That’s why we keep supporting and investing in initiatives that prioritize maternal healthcare, empower women economically, and champion the education of girls,” Soludo said.
The Governor called on Ndi Anambra to continue inspiring and supporting the inclusion of women so that we can create an Anambra where every woman can dream big, achieve her goals, and contribute to the greatness of our State
