As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), an oil firm operating in Delta and some other states in the south-south and south-east, is driving through a culture of voluntary blood donation in the oil region.
The company is doing this in partnership with an NGO, the Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) in collaboration with the Delta State government and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS).
The initiative by SEEPCO, which had earlier taken place in other places like Lagos State, is part of the company’s reach out to its host communities, a move that has boosted the blood bank in parts of the country.
For example, about 550 pints of blood were mobilised within two days when the exercise was held in Lagos, raising voluntary blood donation awareness, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) and the Nigerian Red Cross.
VCDF informed that through its initiative, there has been a steady growth in annual blood drive in parts of the country, especially Lagos State, rising from 98 donors in 2022 to 147 in 2023, and 268 in 2024, topping up to 341 in 2025.
The organisation’s cumulative total stood at 1,404 blood donors in Lagos, before the onset of the Delta State programme.
The NGO was awarded the Blood Donation Champion by the LSBTS.
During the voluntary blood donation campaign in Delta State, SEEPCO, in collaboration with Vcare and support of the state government, visited all the three senatorial districts – Asaba, Ugheli and Warri – preaching the gospel of voluntary blood donation, in line with the 2026 World Blood Donor Day, which theme was “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives.”
Throughout the campaign, the stakeholders emphasised that voluntary, regular and unpaid blood donation remained the most sustainable way to maintain an adequate blood supply for healthcare facilities and save lives.
At the Central Hospital Ughelli, the hospital’s blood transfusion committee and management commended SEEPCO, Vcare, the Delta State ministry of health and supporting partners for their contributions.
Joseph Onojaeme, the state commissioner for health, said, “voluntary blood donation is important for public health emergencies and to save lives during accidents and childbirth. We are deeply grateful to VCDF and partners for the commitment to promote voluntary blood donation and support life-saving healthcare initiatives.”
Participants reported increased awareness among community members, while many first-time donors expressed willingness to become regular donors after receiving information about the safety, benefits and impact of blood donation.
Stakeholders at the event reiterated the need for sustained public engagement, noting that every blood donation has the potential to save multiple lives. The campaign recorded strong community participation in all the locations.
