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It was excitement galore to the students of Girls Commercial School 2, Aba, as the Vicar Hope Foundation, a pet project of the Wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu in collaboration with the NDLEA took sickle cell anaemia and drug abuse campaigns to them.

Speaking at the programme titled "Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu: Catching Them Young Sickle Cell Awareness Campaign", the Coordinator, Vicar Hope Foundation Sickle Cell Anaemia Awareness Campaign in Schools, Churches and places adolescents could be found, Mr. Obinna Onyekwere informed that the essence of the campaign is to enlighten the girls on the effects of Sickle Cell Anemia decease and how to avoid it. He said they always expose teenagers to how to prevent sickle cell anaemia, how to manage it and what is available in case someone is down with it. He further disclosed that they also taught the students issues of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS aimed at catching them young for better future. .

Also speaking, the Abia State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Akinbade Bamidele said his agency is happy to collaborate with the Wife of the Governor to keep the students abreast of the dangers inherent in drug abuse and other related matters. He thanked Mrs. Ikpeazu for recognising the agency as a relevant stakeholder in the efforts to secure the future of the students. The Commander said the lectures would keep students abreast of drug trafficking before they enroll into tertiary institutions.

In her speech, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Nelly Ahunnaya, expressed joy that the wife of the Governor took the campaign to the school. According to her, the school has never had such full-packaged awareness since the its inception. She said the students are happy with the free lectures.

Some students, including Miss Sorochi Ihedioha and Goodness Okeke said the students are most grateful to the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Ikpeazu for exposing them to the issues of sickle cell anaemia. They affirmed that they learnt a lot about sickle cell anaemia, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS and promised to enlighten others about the consequences of drug abuse and sickle cell anaemia among other things taught them.

UNU,
12/06/2018.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf5JlpMZ8kI

is this a campaign targeted at creating awareness for sickle cell which is the focus of vicar hope foundation or is the foundation diversifying into HIV/AIDS campaign and drug abuse campaign?