By Nancy Omotoun, Arafah Raheem, Iman Aiyeola, Oreoluwa Moyebi, Akemini Udoh
The Nigerian Red Cross, UNILAG Chapter, in collaboration with the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and The Blood Oasis, organised a blood drive yesterday, July 25. The event was held at the Moremi Extension Gate, on the university’s main campus.
Speaking with UNILAG Sun on the importance of the blood drive, Oluchi Onyemachi, the Commandant of the Nigerian Red Cross, UNILAG Chapter, and Deborah Olaiya, the Quartermaster and Project Lead, highlighted that people frequently reach out to source blood for transfusion.
They also mentioned that the event aligns with the Red Cross’ core values, which include humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
The blood drive was not without challenges, with one of the major issues being the “shortage of blood.” According to Mr. Kolapo Bamgbose, a blood donor recruiter from LUTH, this was due to the superstitions and stereotypes associated with blood donation in Nigeria.
Despite this, donors from the university community and beyond participated in the blood drive. Sharing her motivation to donate, Hassana Bolaji, a donor, said, “It is something I have always wanted to do… I feel very happy that I am saving lives in the little way I can.”
“We should be more humane, especially as potential donors, giving back to society,” she added. Another donor, Godsgift, also expressed her eagerness to help others through blood donation. “I was nervous, but in the end, I feel great,” she said.
One of the sponsors of the blood drive, The Blood Oasis, is a non-governmental organisation that is focused on reducing blood scarcity in Nigeria.
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