By Patricia Uyeh

Alhaja Asiata Adupe Onikoyi Laguda is celebrated as one of the oldest persons living with sickle cell in the world. November 1st, she clocked 91 years old and judging by the photo shared by her granddaughter, Moyo Asekun – CEO Pérola Moda, she is still bubbling with life. She is  living proof that sickle cell disease can be conquered.

At the time Alhaja Asiata Adupe Onikoyi Laguda was born in 1925 into the Onikoyi Chieftaincy family of Lagos, there was no form of immunization, no new-born screening, no hydroxyurea, no inkling that hydration with just water could go a long way in dealing with sickle cell disease.

Did you know that at that time, the average life expectancy of children born with sickle cell disorder was just five years?
Due to the high level of illiteracy at the time of her birth, she was never diagnosed with sickle cell. She endured years of pain, which kept her away from school till she was 12 years old. Her pain was so severe and frequent that she would beg God to end her life.

However, she remained relentlesss and defied the odds.She survived sickle cell predicament. Cheers to the fighter!

Image credits: yabaleftonline