The KB Klub at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG), has a long tradition of championing philanthropy, academic excellence, and social empowerment, following in the footsteps of its predecessors. For years, the Klub has stood as a beacon of youth empowerment, bridging the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged, striving to make a tangible impact on Lagos’ health landscape.
Building on the success of previous initiatives, the KB Klub, in partnership with the Oba Saheed Elegushi Foundation hosted Lagos State’s largest blood donation drive on Friday, August 15, 2025. Themed “Your Power to Gift Life 2.0”, this year’s initiative was a significant step forward, not only raising over 500 pints of blood, but, more importantly, making a profound impact across six local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos. The drive wasn’t just about donations; it was a powerful advocacy movement aimed at educating and inspiring the public to embrace the culture of voluntary blood donation.
The campaign spanned six locations: Eti-Osa (Monarch Event Centre), Lagos Island (Tinubu Square), Surulere (Teslim Balogun Stadium), Lagos Mainland (UNILAG Indoor Sports Centre), Ikeja (Jara Mall), and Ikorodu (Ikorodu General Hospital). Each site played a pivotal role in raising awareness and engaging with the community. However, it wasn’t just about the locations; it was about the advocacy. The KB Klub’s efforts to amplify the message of voluntary
blood donation through publicity walks in these communities were instrumental. These walks engaged local residents and mobilised both offline and online participation, reaching over 1 million people.
This year’s advocacy efforts didn’t stop at the events themselves. A significant part of the campaign was the publicity drive that bridged the digital and physical worlds. Through coordinated online and offline campaigns, KB Klub brought the message of life-saving blood donation to a broader audience than ever before, leveraging social media platforms, flyers, community outreach and engagement to ensure the call for action reached every corner of
Lagos.
The flagship event at Eti-Osa was officially flagged off by none other than His Royal Majesty, Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi, the Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom. His presence brought a royal touch to the event and underscored the importance of community leadership in addressing public health challenges. Along with the Oba, other distinguished guests included Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), Mrs. Sarah Balogun, Senior Special Assistant to the Special Adviser to the Governor on
Health, and Dr. Folasade Popoola, CEO of Next Hematology.
Additionally, notable figures such as Professor Ademola Oremosu, Provost of the College of Medicine at UNILAG, and Dr. Toni Adeyemi, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Health, were in attendance, further solidifying the event’s role in bringing together government agencies, health institutions, and civil society to tackle the urgent need for blood donation.
While the event’s success is shared by many, Sheriffdeen Oloyede, General Secretary of KB Klub, served as the Project Lead, driving the initiative from inception to execution. His leadership, combined with the unwavering support of Ayobami Olomiyete, the President of KB Klub, and the Immediate Past President, Mustapha Madehin, was crucial to the success of the event. Additionally, the team effort of all KB Klub members cannot be overstated, with each member contributing their time, energy, and resources to make the initiative a resounding success.
This year’s success builds on the momentum from KB Klub’s inaugural blood donation drive in 2023, which raised 402 pints in just seven hours. While over 500 pints raised in 2025 represents a significant milestone, the true achievement lies in the movement that has been created—a movement that continues to emphasise the importance of consistent voluntary donation and positions KB Klub as a youth-led force for positive change in Lagos.
The event’s success serves as a testament to the power of publicity and partnerships in driving public health outcomes. With the advocacy campaign reaching more than 1 million people, the KB Klub has once again shown how the younger generation can lead transformative initiatives that have a lasting impact on communities.
As the Klub reflects on the success of Your Power to Gift Life 2.0, the focus now shifts to maintaining this momentum and ensuring that voluntary blood donation becomes an integral part of Lagos’s public health culture. KB Klub has reaffirmed its commitment to saving lives, and this event is just one example of how youth-led initiatives can catalyse change, build awareness, and ultimately, save lives.
This is not just an event, it’s a movement that will continue to shape the future of blood donation in Lagos and beyond.
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