By Ebunoluwa Sessou
At 63, Niniola Phillips-Adeleye has endured what many would consider a lifetime of battles. Yet, standing among hundreds of advocates in Lagos, she spoke not of defeat, but of resilience.
Living with sickle cell disorder for more than six decades, Phillips-Adeleye has weathered countless pain crises, hospital admissions and health complications. Through it all, she has refused to let the condition define her life.
“I live with sickle cell disease and I will be 63 in August. The journey has not been smooth. There have been endless pains, crises and hospital visits, but I have learned to remain positive and find ways to enjoy life despite the challenges,” she said.
Her testimony became one of the defining moments of the Red Umbrella Walk, held under the theme, “From Awareness to Action: Building a Nation of Care.” The event was organised by the Coalition of Sickle Cell NGOs to mark the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day.
