After just thirty six years of establishment, Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University can proudly boast that it has its products all around the globe doing great exploit and adding value to human lives. The foundation Registrar of the University, Chief (Dr.) Nathaniel Olatunji Sotoyinbo recently visited Ontario, Canada and brought back this emotional but pleasant story of Mrs Lanre Tunji-Ajayi, Co-founder of All Naturals Cosmetics Inc and the Chief Executive Officer of Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO).
Chief (Dr.) N.O. Sotoyinbo’s visit coincided with the 13th Hope and Gala Awards and the Annual General Meeting of SCAGO held on June 9th 2018 and October 12th 2018 respectively. Here is a spotlight on Mrs Lanre Tunji-Ajayi a great Ambassador of Olabisi Onabanjo University and her humanitarian project SCAGO.
Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario also known as SCAGO started on June 14th, 2005 as Seed of Life Philanthropic Organization (SOLPO) in memory of a brave young man- Sunday Afolabi. The Non-governmental advocacy organisation has significantly contributed to the health and wellbeing of many Canadians, tirelessly educating the community about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and other similar challenges including poverty.
Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO) is a membership-based patient association that puts patients and families affected by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) first. It does this, by advocating on their behalf with the government, schools and healthcare community. SCAGO understands the challenges faced by people with SCD and their family members; hence, it developed various programs including Learning for Life Seminars, and Peers and Parents Support Network. It also contributes to the educational advancement of students with SCD by providing scholarships and grants. In addition, SCAGO established the impactful Lunch and Learn Program to support knowledge translation among care providers. Through numerous activities, SCAGO provides support (mental, emotional and physical) to patients and their families and raises awareness in the community to reduce the number of new SCD births.
The life and death of Sunday Afolabi (Lanre Tunji-Ajayi’s brother), born with sickle cell anaemia, but died a few days to his 30th birthday on October 12th, 1999 motivated the birth of Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario formerly known as Seed of Life Philanthropic Organization Inc. Sunday Afolabi was a very brilliant student. He passed through college and the university with high grades. A 1987 Electrical Engineering graduate of University of Ibadan would sometimes reason aloud: “God must know why I have to bear this cross; but I look forward to a day when nobody will ever have to suffer from sickle cell anaemia again”.
The 2018 SCAGO Hope and Gala Awards featured award of recognitions to selected individuals who have contributed to the course of the organisation, award of scholarship grants and fundraising. In attendance at the colourful event were: Hon. Andrew Scheer (Leader of the official opposition, House of Commons, Canada), Senator Jane Cordy, Hon. Dr. Kirsty Duncan (MP, House of Commons, Canada), MP Hon. Judy A. Sgro, Mayor John Tory (Mayor of Toronto), Bonnie Crombie (Mayor of Mississauaga), Frank Scarpitti (Mayor City of Markham), Ambassador Derrick James (Consul General for Grenada), donors, award recipients, friends and family members.
Lanre Tunji-Ajayi is not alone in the lofty humanitarian project; she is supported by her husband, Mr Tunji-Ajayi and another worthy alumnus, Mrs Mojisola Ogunsanya (First daughter of the Chief Dr. N.O. Sotoyinbo). Lanre Afolabi now Lanre Tunji-Ajayi and Mojisola Sotoyinbo now Mojisola Ogunsanya are Business Administration and Accounting graduates (1985-1989) set respectively.
‘Lanre Akinola PhD.
