By Justina Auta

The National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) has partnered with Values Africa, a pan-African media and advocacy organisation, to mobilise 10,000 voluntary blood donors across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The initiative was announced by Prof. Saleh Yuguda, Director General of the NBSA, following a high-level meeting in Abuja with Values Africa representatives led by Coordinator Mr Bamidele Olowo.

According to Yuguda, the collaboration aims to enhance the effectiveness of voluntary blood donation efforts across all six area councils of the FCT, ensuring a steady, safe, and affordable blood supply for patients in need.

“This initiative speaks directly to our mandate of promoting voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation across Nigeria.

“We are proud to support Values Africa’s campaign and commend their commitment to using media and community engagement to drive this life-saving effort.

“The campaign will involve widespread sensitisation through schools, religious centres, marketplaces, and corporate establishments.

“It will also feature the introduction of donor tracking systems and emergency notification tools to create a more responsive and efficient blood supply chain,” he said.

Yuguda highlighted the urgent need for such an intervention, noting that Nigeria still fell below the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations for voluntary blood donations.

He described the continued reliance on unsafe or commercial sources as a major health concern.

“This campaign will help close the gap in blood availability in the FCT and may serve as a model for replication across other states,” he added, urging all eligible citizens to become regular voluntary donors.

Values Africa Coordinator, Mr Bamidele Olowo, emphasised the cultural and humanitarian importance of the campaign.

“We are driven by the belief that our communities thrive when we look out for one another.

“Donating blood is not just a medical act, it is an expression of solidarity and shared humanity,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru