By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos State Government on Thursday celebrated voluntary blood donors as “silent heroes” whose contributions continue to save thousands of lives, while urging eligible residents to make regular blood donation a civic responsibility.
The appeal was made during the 2026 World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) commemoration held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja. The event, themed “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives,” brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, humanitarian organisations, development partners and regular blood donors.
Delivering the keynote address, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, described blood donors as a unique group of people whose generosity gives hope to patients in critical conditions.
“This year’s theme reminds us that blood donation is much more than a medical procedure. It is an act of compassion, solidarity and shared humanity,” she said.
Lajide noted that donated blood remains essential for mothers with childbirth complications, children with sickle cell disease, accident victims and cancer patients. She stressed that emergencies often arise unexpectedly and survival frequently depends on blood that had been donated in advance.
She also highlighted the growing pressure on Lagos’ blood supply, noting that the state’s hospitals serve not only residents but also patients from across the country.
“The difference between life and death is often a single unit of blood donated by someone who may never meet the person whose life they have saved,” she added.
The Permanent Secretary called on eligible residents not to wait until a relative needs blood before donating, and advocated greater investment in blood services infrastructure, testing, storage and workforce development.
Speaking after the event, Lajide reassured the public that blood donation is safe, explaining that the body naturally replenishes donated blood. She encouraged healthy adults, particularly youths aged 18 and above, to become regular voluntary donors.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, said the day was an opportunity to honour millions of voluntary unpaid blood donors worldwide.
“From emergencies and childbirth complications to surgeries, cancer treatments and lifelong care for conditions such as sickle cell disorder, your gift is more than blood; it is a lifeline,” she said.
Osikomaiya emphasised the need for sustained blood donation and greater public awareness, noting that regular donors play a critical role in ensuring a stable blood supply.
Representatives of partner organisations, including Lions Clubs International, Fidson Healthcare Plc and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, also called for stronger advocacy and public participation in blood donation.
Several regular donors shared testimonies at the event. Shogo Oloshunde, who announced he was making his 57th donation, urged Nigerians to emulate consistent donors, while Benjamin Aghoro of the Nigerian Red Cross said regular donation had not affected his health.
The event featured donor recognition awards and renewed calls for Lagos residents to make voluntary blood donation a way of life, reinforcing the message that safe blood remains a vital public health nece
