NBA to Sponsor Mandatory Genotype Bill in Ekiti

As part of the efforts to combat the spread of sickle cell disease in Ekiti State, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is ready to sponsor a private bill that would make it mandatory for intending couples to go for compulsory blood test before marriage.

The bill, according to NBA, will reduce untimely death among Nigerians, especially the loss of loved ones which is now rampant due to sickle cell disease.

The NBA Chairman of Ado Ekiti branch, Olakanmi Falade, said the bill would be sponsored to the Ekiti State House of Assembly for acceptance and passage.

Falade added that the action was in honour of the late Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs. Seyi Ojo, who died of sickle cell complication on December 25, 2019.

He said: "It is sad that we are losing our loved ones to sickle cell disease, so the best way to control this is to ensure compulsory genotype test for intending couples.

"Science had proved it that two with AS genotype grouping can't get married without recording cases of sickle cell in their offspring.

"But with compulsory blood test, couples can know their genotype groupings and determine the safe ones that can guarantee a better life for them.

"If the private bill becomes law, it would now be compulsory for couples to produce genotype certificates before their marriages can be conducted."

Falade also pledged his willingness to sponsor a sickle cell carrier in the state, Miss Morayo Kokumo, up to her university level.

The NBA chairman, who said he was doing this in view of what his late colleague, Seyi Ojo, stood for in her lifetime, promised that the NBA would continually give support to sickle cell carriers to ameliorate their sufferings.

The lawyer described Ojo as a notable and vibrant activist and advocate of gender parity, who had fought many battles against gender-based violence in the state during her life time.

According Falade, "Ojo was a very dependable ally, responsible, reliable and tireless leader of the Bar both at the level of NBA and Ekiti State FIDA. I made the donation in her honour."