PRESS RELEASE : World Down Syndrome day March 2011

World Down Syndrome Day
Come Monday, March 21, 2011, the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria DSFN, joins the world to celebrate the World Down Syndrome Day-WDSD. This is a global event supported by all Down syndrome groups worldwide and we at DSFN use this period to focus our efforts in Advocacy, Awareness and interactive and educative partnerships to overcome the prejudices of people living with Down syndrome.

The Down Syndrome International (DSI) adopted March 21^st to signify the uniqueness of Down syndrome in the triplication (trisomy) of the 21^st chromosome and is used synonymously with Down syndrome. The inaugural WDSD was held on 21 March 2006 in Singapore.

Our activities for this year’s WDSD events include an Inter House Sports Competition, Comedy Infusion and an Open House on March 21, 2011.

The INTER HOUSE SPORTS competition is slated for Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at the Sam Shonibare Community Centre, Off Ajao Road, Surulere, Lagos under the distinguished Chairmanship of Mr. Tonye Cole, Managing Director, Sahara Oil and Gas Limited. The Special Guest is the Lagos State Commissioner for Women and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Joke Orelope-Adefulire. The Father of the Day is Mr. William Pope, Principal, Grange School, while Mrs. Stella Nwankalor is the Mother of the day.  The event starts at noon.

The COMEDY INFUSION comes up on Sunday, March 20^th, 2011 at The Incubator, Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, opposite RCCG Church (City of David) Lagos.

Participating comedians include Basketmouth, Julius Agwu, Gbenga Adeyinka d 1^st, Funky Mallam, AY, Gordons, Klint Da Drunk and Teju Babyface. Others are Seyi Law, Emeka Smith, CD, John, Elenu, Shakara. Music entertainment coming from Ice Prince, Buzopat, W4, Ray 9, Obiwon, Whiz Kid, MI, Liza and Jay One.

Guest appearance by Ali Baba and Master of Ceremony is Desmond Elliot.

Her Excellency, Mrs. Sarah Sosan, Deputy-Governor of Lagos State is the Special Guest of Honour and Mother of the Day is First Lady, Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola.

The event starts at 5 pm. Tickets –Regular- N1, 500, VIP- N5,000 and V-VIP- N10,000- are available in all Tastee Fried Chicken outlets  Festac, V/I, Opebi, Ikoyi, Agege, Surulere, Marina, Omole, Ikorodu.

There are tables of 10 – N200, 000 and a table of 5 – N100, 000.

This event is been packaged by Meljenstin PR & Events, E-Smith and Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria.

The WDSD- OPEN HOUSE is on Monday, March 21^st, 2011 at the DSFN Resource Centre at 43, Adegoke Street Surulere. Time is 11 am prompt. The open house will feature several activities.

Let’s Show Them LOVE!

Ayo Omotade visits DSAN

The first time I heard about the man called Ayo Omotade, I admired his courage; for standing up to restore the dignity of his fellow human being was not only courageous but religious considering the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Read more

Baby Victoria Ajayi Undergoes Successful Corrective Heart Surgery

by Ahaoma Kanu

Some hours after more than one billion people worldwide witnessed the historic swearing in of the 44th and first African-American President of the United States of America (U.S.A), Barrack Obama, a group known as the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria (DSAN) kept vigil at night offering prayers and supplication to the same God not for the new President who had ten balls to attend thousands of miles in Washington, they were spiritually clearing the way for one of their babies who left the shores of the country to have her defective heart corrected. Read more

Organization of awareness campaigns

Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria since 2002 has sucessfully organised awareness campaigns to educate members of the society about our cause and use this as a meduim to reach out to those who are vunerable. Our awareness week usually takes place in the month of September. We thank all those who have played or contributed to make them a sucess so far; the journey is a long one and we admonish you to support us in any way you can.

Fund raising for baby Andrew Duku

We have organised fund raisers to help the less priviledged children in esperate need of medical attention. One of our fundraisers was that of BABY ANDREW DUKU who needed an emergency heart operation; we were able to raise $6141 (N720,000) with the support of members of the world community ; wehad help from the online forums community, home and abroad, media houses and members of the general public; you can also support us in future fund raisers.