What Princess Diana Award means to me — Abdullah Adeniji-Bello, LASUCOM student
Mr Abdullah Adeniji-Bello is a fifth-year student at the Lagos State University College of Medicine. (LASUCOM), studying Medicine and Surgery. Last December, he was honoured with the prestigious 2024 Diana Award, a global recognition established in memory of the late Princess Diana of Wales.
The Diana Award recognizes young people making a difference in their communities and celebrates young change-makers who are committed to making a positive impact. In this interview, 22-year-old Abdullah speaks about how he was named a recipient of the award and what the award means to him.
He also shares his aspirations to make a significant impact on the global health landscape and his ultimate goal to be at the forefront of medical advancements.
Excerpts:
How we won the Diana Awards
The 2024 Diana Award was given to me and my friend and Co-founder of One Health Lifesavers, Ibrahim Idris, following our outstanding work with our initiative. This was done after a rigorous nomination and selection process that saw us among the 200 recipients from 45 countries around the world. Our innovation in establishing One Health Lifesavers reflects Princess Diana’s belief that young people have the power to change the world which we have brought to life through our efforts to promote blood donation and improve access to healthcare in under-served areas across Nigeria.
Inspiration behind One Health Lifesavers
Before we conceived the idea of One Health Lifesavers, Ibrahim and I were volunteers for some organisations where we helped with activities like medical outreaches, awareness programmes and the like. We founded One Health Lifesavers after my co-founder lost a relative due to the blood shortage crisis in Nigeria. This tragedy also coincided with some of the past experiences I have also had with the blood shortage crisis at that time. This led to the beginning of One Health Lifesavers.
About One Health Lifesavers
One Health Lifesavers, Founded in March 2023, is focused on tackling the blood shortage crisis in Nigeria primarily by Organising blood donation drives and raising awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation among Nigerian youths. Through the One Health Lifesavers Platform and a blend of advocacy, education and action, we create awareness about the importance of blood donation. We leverage social media campaigns, educational programs, and grassroots mobilization to change perceptions and encourage voluntary blood donation across diverse communities.
Recognizing that awareness alone is not enough, we also organize medical outreaches that provide under-served communities with access to primary healthcare services thereby reducing the spread of some diseases that may require blood transfusion in the course of their treatment. Since its inception, we have helped raise over 600 pints of blood, potentially saving up to 1,800 lives. By raising awareness and providing access to essential health care, we hope to bridge the gap and create lasting change. Our vision is to build a healthier Nigeria where the critical need for blood does not cost lives.
What the award means to me personally
The Diana Award is a global award and it is the highest accolade that a young individual can receive for his social actions and humanitarian efforts. Being a recipient of the award therefore is of great significance to me as it reaffirms my unwavering commitment to making a positive impact around the world. This award will continue to inspire me to keep pushing for positive change, especially in tackling the blood shortage crisis in Nigeria. The Diana Awards does not include monetary benefits, but there are other privileges like global networking opportunities, leadership training sessions, and development programmes.
How my school received the news
There was a lot of excitement all over the campus when the award was announced as my friends, classmates, and colleagues were all congratulating me. The news was also well received by the College which congratulated us for the inspiring milestone. The College, through its Information Unit, said, “This recognition places LASUCOM at the forefront of fostering socially conscious medical leaders who are skilled in their field and passionate about driving meaningful change in society. The entire College community celebrates this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to supporting the continued impact of One Health Lifesavers. Congratulations to these trailblazing students for their remarkable contribution to society”. The award was all over social media and this added to the excitement.
Why I chose to study medicine
My determination to study medicine stemmed from the desire to help others. Medicine is a field where you are given the ability to help people, alleviate pain, and improve and save lives with the knowledge you acquire. The journey requires a lot of critical thinking, discipline and a commitment to serving
humanity. The challenging nature of the journey keeps me on my feet and motivates me to continue along this path.
My future goals
I want to be a renowned and highly respected medical doctor, recognised not only for my expertise but also for my contributions to public health. My aspirations include making a significant impact on the global health landscape, particularly by addressing pressing health issues that affect populations. My ultimate goal is to be at the forefront of medical advancements, especially with technology, and public health initiatives, making sure I make a lasting impact on society.
