Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
An activist and National Coordinator, Association of Persons Living With Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD), Mrs Aisha Edward-Maduagwu has called on Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to consider retrieving the State’s ministry of women and children affairs from certain cabals in the state.
The activist also advocated for appointment of a man as commissioner to oversee the affairs of the ministry.
Mrs Edward-Maduagwu made the call in recent interview held at Sickle Cell Orphanage Home, Agulu, Anaocha LGA of Anambra State
She argued that it was the best way to retrieve the ministry from people trying to run it down under the watch of females.
She alleged that most women who have held sway as commissioner for women affairs which is currently known as women and social welfare were not compassionate enough to address the injustices meted out on women and the downtrodden, especially those living with Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD).
According to her, the efforts of the State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to make Anambra State liveable, and prosperous to all, especially his visions for the vulnerable groups could be best attained with a man as a commissioner in the ministry.
“I have discovered that what Anambra State government needs now is an appointment of a capable and compassionate man to lead the ministry of women and social welfare. Men tend to be more compassionate and show regards to social welfare than females we have seen so far as Commissioners of this ministry in Anambra.
“We also discovered that the female commissioners appointed so far in the ministry were never allowed to operate… they always take instructions and order from a certain retired director from the ministry who is a man. He is retired but still directs affairs and budgets of the ministry.
“All the correspondences, activities, directions and orders sent to the ministry always go to the table of the male retired director. He approves and disapproves as he likes. We believed that when a man is appointed as a commissioner he would stand up like a man and overcome the challenges,” she alleged.
She recalled how all efforts made by her organisation to obtain license from the ministry for establishment of Sickle Cell Orphanage Home was nearly truncated, even as all the letters written by them to the governor were allegedly sat on by a female commissioner.
This according to her, was also reasons why the Anambra State Sickle Cell Disease (Eradication and Control ) law 2019 had not been fully implemented, thereby leading to deaths of over 25 of them and multiplication of people living with SCD.
Sickle Cell law had provided for establishment of sickle cell monitoring teams across communities to sensitise and prevent intending couples whose genetic combinations are not compatible from marrying, including making medical care accessible to SCD sufferers, establishment of sickle cell homes, inclusion of sickle cell education in primary and secondary schools, among others. However, none of these is working four years after the bill was signed into law by former Governor Willie Obiano.
Mrs Edward-Maduagwu further submitted a recent petition she sent to the governor and other stakeholders over their ordeals in the hands of the ministry and some cabals allegedly diverting what government approved for APLSCD.
