06/08/2026
KWCONOO Provost Advocates Genotype Compatibility at Book Launch on Sickle Cell Awareness
The Provost of Kwara State College of Nursing Sciences, Oke-Ode (KWCONOO), joined eminent personalities, academics, healthcare professionals, and students at the official launch of Sickle Cell Anemia: The Audacity of Hope, a book authored by the award-winning writer and global health advocate, Mrs. Funmilayo Braithwaite.
The well-attended event, held on Thursday at the Pavilion of the Ilorin International Golf Club, brought together several distinguished guests, including the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, who was represented at the occasion. Also in attendance were renowned scholars and medical experts from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Al-Hikmah University, and Kwara State University (KWASU). Journalists, alongside staff and students of Kwara State College of Nursing Sciences, Oke-Ode, and the Department of Public Health, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, were also present in large numbers, reflecting the significance of the event and the growing commitment to raising awareness about sickle cell disease.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Provost emphasized that choosing a life partner should extend beyond emotions, professions, and declarations of love. He stressed that intending couples must embrace genotype screening to determine their compatibility before marriage, describing it as a critical step in preventing the birth of children with sickle cell disorder and promoting healthier families.
He commended Mrs. Braithwaite for her remarkable contribution to public health advocacy through her publication, describing Sickle Cell Anemia: The Audacity of Hope as a timely and impactful work that will enhance public awareness, inspire hope among individuals and families living with sickle cell disorder, and strengthen ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of the disease in Nigeria.
The event featured goodwill messages, engaging discussions on the prevention and management of sickle cell disorder, and renewed calls for sustained public enlightenment on the importance of genotype screening as an effective strategy for safeguarding future generations.
The participation of KWCONOO at the event further underscores the College's commitment to promoting preventive healthcare, advancing public health education, and supporting initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of communities through awareness, advocacy, and evidence-based health practices.