Chidoka turns 53!
Today, July 18, I turn 53 years old. I initially planned to mark it with a fitness walk and a casual gathering at my home. Sadly, on June 7th, we woke up to the news of the death of Ferdinand Agu, my intellectual soulmate, senior friend and brother. His death is still a shock, but it drove me to a new junction of reflection.
As I struggled to come to terms with Ferdinand’s passing, a few days ago, I came across the frantic call of the Plateau State government appealing for blood donation following the collapse of a school building in Jos. The Tragic event reportedly killed 22 children and left over 130 injured. The plea from the government was due to the perennial blood shortage at the blood bank and the urgent need to save the children’s lives.
During my time as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, I witnessed the devastating consequences of blood shortages in emergency situations. On a personal level, I decided to become a blood donor. Since then, I have donated blood periodically but was unaware of the magnitude of the national crisis of acute blood shortages.
Now, I am determined to raise awareness about the national crisis of blood shortages and encourage others to join me in making a difference.
I checked the website of the National Blood Service Commission and learnt that Nigeria faces significant challenges with blood shortages. The country requires approximately 1.8 million units of blood annually, but only about 500,000 units are collected yearly.
In 2024, I decided to stop glorifying problems and be part of the solutions, as I emigrated to Naija Nation ~ that space where the failures of the Nigerian state do not constrain our capacities.
To contribute to saving lives by making blood available to those in need, I have elected to use my 53rd birthday as yet another opportunity to highlight the crucial national problem of severe shortage of blood for transfusion. This shortage is growing, and the consequence is needless deaths in hospitals across the country.
Please join me in celebrating my life by giving a Gift of Life to someone who may be in dire need of a transfusion by donating blood today. Blood donation is healthy and painless and allows many to serve the community and fellow human beings.
Healthy adults can donate whole blood every 56 days (about two months). The body replenishes the lost fluids within 24 hours and red blood cells within a few weeks.
As a birthday gift to me and to support the Osita@53 blood donation campaign by helping to create more awareness, I humbly request you to use this Generator Link and brand your Display Picture (DP). We have two designs: one is for promotion, and the other is to announce you have donated after you donate. —>https://brandmydp.com/user/osita53/
Where to Donate?
Any National Blood Service Commission office
Any Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre or General Hospital near you.
Donate and send a picture to Osita Chidoka’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter page.
Be a Lifesaver. Donate blood.
Osita Chidoka
18 July 2024
