Adun-ni Initiative Set to Launch in Lagos, Pledges Stronger Support for Sickle Cell Warriors

The Adun-ni Initiative for Sickle Cell Care is set to begin its public operations with a formal launch in Lagos, as the organisation seeks to strengthen support for people living with sickle cell disorder and increase public awareness about the condition.

The initiative, founded by Olaide Adunni Dawodu-Ajibola under the banner “Hope Beyond Pain,” is being established to provide support that goes beyond treating sickle cell crises. Its planned activities include medical assistance, public education, genotype awareness, emotional support and advocacy for people living with the condition.

The initiative is expected to be formally unveiled on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, in Ikeja, Lagos, under the theme, “Hope Beyond Pain – Transforming Lives Beyond the Pain.” The event is scheduled to begin at 4:00pm at 100 Kudeti Street, Akora Villa, off Aba Johnson Bus Stop, Ikeja.

Nigeria has one of the world’s largest burdens of sickle cell disorder, making access to proper care, early diagnosis, genetic counselling and public education an important health concern. The Federal Government has also identified sickle cell disorder as a major public health challenge and has highlighted the need to improve access to screening, treatment and comprehensive care across the country.

Against this background, the Adun-ni Initiative is positioning itself as a community-based organisation focused on helping families and individuals who often struggle with the financial and emotional demands associated with the condition.

One of the major areas of concern identified by the initiative is the cost of managing sickle cell disorder. Frequent pain crises can require hospital visits, medication, blood transfusions and medical tests, placing considerable financial pressure on families, particularly those with limited income.

Through its planned medical support programme, the initiative intends to assist vulnerable families with essential medicines and emergency hospital care when they are faced with sickle cell-related complications. The organisation believes that lack of money should not prevent a child or young person living with the condition from receiving timely medical attention.

The initiative is also placing strong emphasis on prevention through genotype awareness. It plans to take information on sickle cell disorder to schools, religious institutions, communities and other public platforms, with the aim of encouraging people to know their genotype and understand the importance of genetic counselling before marriage.

The organisers believe that greater public understanding of genotype compatibility can help prospective couples make informed decisions and reduce the spread of misinformation surrounding sickle cell disorder.

However, the organisation’s focus is not limited to people who may have children with the condition. It also intends to provide support for those already living with sickle cell disorder, often referred to as sickle cell warriors.

Living with the condition can affect different areas of a person’s life, including education, employment, relationships and emotional wellbeing. Repeated pain episodes, hospital admissions and public misunderstanding can leave some warriors dealing with fear, isolation, stress and low confidence.

The Adun-ni Initiative therefore plans to include counselling, emotional guidance and community support as part of its approach. The aim is to help people living with sickle cell disorder understand that their condition does not have to prevent them from pursuing their education, careers, relationships and other life goals.

The name “Adun-ni”, which means “sweetness is ours” in Yorùbá, reflects the philosophy behind the initiative. The organisation says people living with sickle cell deserve lives defined by dignity, hope and opportunity rather than continuous pain and hardship.

The December launch will bring together stakeholders from the medical sector, community organisations, religious institutions, the media and other areas of society. The gathering is expected to provide an opportunity for the organisation to explain its plans and seek wider support for its programmes.

The keynote clinical address will be delivered by Funmilayo Orebayo-Adenekan, an NHS Sickle Cell Nurse Specialist. Her participation is expected to bring specialised nursing knowledge into discussions on sickle cell management, crisis prevention and patient-centred care.

The event will also feature VSE Prophet Ayo Jesse as Host Clergy, with the opening prayers forming part of the programme. The involvement of religious and community leaders is expected to support efforts to address some of the myths and misconceptions that continue to surround sickle cell disorder.

Special Guests of Honour expected at the event include Chief Tajudeen Adegboyega Adeoye of NNPC Abuja and Ranti Thomas, veteran media practitioner, Chief Editor of Royal Times Newspaper and Publisher/Chief Editor of The NetworkTimes.

Their participation is expected to highlight the importance of partnerships between health organisations, businesses, the media and members of the wider community in supporting people living with sickle cell disorder.

The programme will begin with the opening prayers, followed by the introduction of guests and the presentation of the founder’s vision for the organisation. This will be followed by the health talk on sickle cell management, goodwill messages from invited guests and the formal unveiling of the Adun-ni Initiative.

A support and donation drive will also form part of the launch, with funds expected to support the initiative’s planned medical outreach programmes. The organisation intends to direct support towards medicines, emergency healthcare assistance and public education materials.

The organisers are also using digital platforms to ensure that the message reaches people beyond those who attend the physical event in Lagos. The launch will be streamed live on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, allowing supporters and members of the sickle cell community in Nigeria and the diaspora to participate.

The initiative’s approach reflects the growing recognition that sickle cell care requires more than emergency treatment when a patient is in crisis. Medical care, early diagnosis, genetic counselling, public education, emotional support and financial assistance all have roles to play in improving the lives of people living with the condition.

For many families, the challenge of sickle cell does not end when a hospital bill is paid. The condition can place continuing pressure on parents, children and other relatives, particularly when repeated crises interfere with schooling, work and household finances.

This is why grassroots support remains important. By taking education and assistance closer to communities, organisations such as the Adun-ni Initiative can help families access information, identify available support and better understand how to manage the condition.

The initiative is also calling for broader collaboration, recognising that government agencies, healthcare professionals, corporate organisations, community leaders, religious institutions, the media and individuals all have roles to play in improving sickle cell care in Nigeria.

As the December 8 launch approaches, the Adun-ni Initiative is seeking public support for its goal of helping sickle cell warriors move beyond a life dominated by pain and uncertainty.

The organisation’s message is captured in its “Hope Beyond Pain” campaign: that people living with sickle cell disorder should have access to proper care, emotional support, accurate information and the opportunity to live productive and fulfilling lives.

Members of the public interested in supporting the initiative, volunteering or learning more about its activities can visit adun-niinitiativeforsicklecellcare.com. The organisation also maintains social media platforms through the handles @adunni.initiative and @adunninitiatives.

With the launch in Ikeja expected to mark the beginning of its wider activities, the Adun-ni Initiative is seeking to turn its message of hope into practical support for sickle cell warriors and their families, while making awareness and proper care a stronger part of the conversation around sickle cell disorder in Nigeria.

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