The Coordinator of the Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has called for intensified sensitisation and awareness on epilepsy to educate individuals, organisations, and communities, and to dispel widespread myths about the condition.
She made the call at a one-day symposium organised by the Angie Epilepsy Foundation (AEF) to mark its 15th Purple Day celebration, themed “Epilepsy: A Different Perspective.” Mrs. Anani was represented at the event by the Wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Nimata Umar Ikhilor.
Highlighting the importance of such initiatives, she said they play a crucial role in educating the public and combating stigma surrounding epilepsy.
According to her, epilepsy is a neurological condition characterised by seizures, and it is neither spiritual nor contagious. With proper care, support, and understanding, people living with epilepsy can lead normal, productive lives.
Mrs. Anani emphasised the need to replace fear with knowledge, fostering compassion and inclusion for those affected. She reaffirmed her office’s commitment to supporting awareness initiatives through strategic partnerships to build a more informed and empathetic society.
“It is our collective responsibility to replace fear with knowledge, stigma with compassion, and discrimination with inclusion. We must educate people on how to support someone experiencing a seizure and ensure that those living with epilepsy are treated with dignity and respect,” she said.
The event chairman and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, represented by his wife, Comrade Marian Shaibu, commended the founder of AEF, Mrs. Angela Asemota, for her dedication to supporting vulnerable individuals and prayed for her continued success.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, represented by the Director of Women Affairs, Mrs. Florence Nwaozor, lauded AEF’s alignment with the ministry’s mandate of promoting social development and supporting vulnerable groups, reaffirming government commitment to community welfare.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Asemota thanked supporters of the foundation, stressing that awareness campaigns like Purple Day must extend into daily conversations in homes, workplaces, schools, and communities. The symposium also featured educational lectures, donations, and the unveiling of informational pamphlets on epilepsy, aimed at fostering a supportive and informed society.
