SCAGO


sunday afolabi

THE SUNDAY AFOLABI SCHOLARSHIP GRANT

I look forward to a day when no one will ever have to suffer from sickle cell disease’ – Sunday Afolabi (1969 – 1999)

Though not born in Canada, Sunday Afolabi’s life inspired All Naturals Cosmetics Inc. a personal care manufacturing company established by Elder and Mrs. Timothy Tunji-Ajayi to advance the formation of the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO) formerly known as the Seed of Life Philanthropic Organization (SOLPO).

Sunday (Mrs. Tunji-Ajayi’s brother) was born with sickle cell disease (SCD) to a middle class family in Nigeria on October 18, 1969.

In 1987, Sunday graduated from Methodist Boy’s High School, Ibadan, and proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he studied Electrical Engineering.

Sunday finished his program in 1992 and got a job at the Ikeja General Hospital (now Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH). He later became the head of engineering department until his death October 12th, 1999.

Sunday Afolabi somehow knew his life would impact many others and often made comments such as ‘God must know why I have to bear this cross; but I look forward to a day when no one will ever have to suffer from sickle cell disease’.

 

RECIPIENTS OF THE S.A AFOLABI SCHOLARSHIP GRANT 2018

 

Roxanne Ngozi Chukwu:

Chukwu is a first year student at York University enrolled in a six-year concurrent Education Programme which comes with two bachelor’s degrees and a license to teach in Ontario.

Chukwu says living with SCD has made her a stronger person and hopes to mentor the younger ones with SCD.

 

Sharitah Nakiganaga:

Nakiganaga is a 2016 Ugandan immigrant to Canada.

The 19 year-old living the sickle cell challenge graduated high school in flying colours in 2017 and gained admission to the Humber College for the Law programme, hoping to transfer eventually to the University of Windsor Law programme. She intends to specialize in immigration law.

 

Samantha Delisser:

 

Samantha Delisser Samantha is a 98+ average student in her final year at Sinclair Secondary, and hopes to enter the world of medicine in her future.

Delisser is passionate about helping others and has been a volunteer with her church’s pathfinder group – Durham Trailblazers Pathfinder Club – for four years. She also burns with enthusiasm for church and secular music.