The National Librarian/CEO, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi has affirmed that “intersection of knowledge, culture, literacy, behaviour and access to credible information are the antidotes against sickle cell disease. However, the “reality is not access to information alone but knowledge translated into action, or transformative literacy which provides knowledge that changes behaviour.”
The National Librarian stated this in a keynote address titled: The Power of Knowledge and Literacy in Combating Sickle Cell Disease – Building a Healthier and More Productive Nigeria, delivered at the public presentation of a book titled: Sickle Cell Anemia: The Audacity of Hope by Mrs Funmilayo Braithwaite, held on Wednesday 29th July, 2026 at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre Abuja.
The theme reflects on an “issue that extends beyond medicine into the domain of education, information, public policy and national development.
According to her, SCD is a group of complete inherited disorders of haemoglobin in which red blood cells become rigid and sickle-shaped, obstructing blood flow and reducing the supply of oxygen to body tissues.
She stated that Nigeria accounts for roughly one-third of all global births of children with sickle cell disease, hence the epicenter of the global burden. This is attributed to the fact that “somewhere before a child was conceived: knowledge was either absent, misunderstood, unavailable or ignored” the National Librarian stated.
Speaking on how literacy helps to combat Sickle Cell Disease, Prof. Anunobi stated that Nigeria still record one of the highest numbers of children born with sickle cell disease after decades of awareness. She maintained that solution to the problem is to place knowledge at the centre of national development. The government should not only invest in hospitals but also in libraries, schools, research institutions and lifelong learning.
Prof. Anunobi advised that the burden of Sickle Cell Disease could be reduced in Nigeria by building a society where knowledge shapes attitudes, literacy informs choices and responsible behaviour becomes our collective culture”.
Earlier, the chief launcher while commending the Yound African Writers Foundation and the Founder/Author for the wonderful book, stated that the book is going to be a tool for education, advocacy and social transformation. He informed that the medical condition should never be allowed to completely define a person or determine the limits of one’s future. He said “the book is important and because of the awareness it creates will help people to make right decisions, reduce discrimination and encourage the society to respond positively to people who are living with sickle cell. He encouraged those living with the condition that the disease does not
cancel their dreams or potentials or the ability to be useful in life.
The National Librarian/CEO was accompanied to the event by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs Ngozi Odogwu, Director Public Services Department, Mr. Joseph K. Ojo, the Head of Legal Deposit Department, Mrs K. Abdulazeez and the Head of Virtual Library Services Department, Mrs Rachael Nebo, as well as the Special Assistants on Professional Matters and Special Duties; Mr. Baba Mohammed and Mrs Chinwe Enekayi respectively.
