Synergy Attornies on Thursday marked World Lupus Day with an awareness campaign held in honour of its late former Head of Chamber, Olushola Adeola Keshinro, Esq., who died in 2024 following complications from lupus.
For members of the firm, the day was more than a global health observance. It was also a deeply personal moment of remembrance for a colleague they described as brilliant, compassionate and impactful.
Born in 1982, Keshinro was remembered not only for her legal excellence but also for the lives she touched during her career and personal journey with the chronic autoimmune disease.
Her death has since inspired a new chapter of advocacy through the Olushola Keshinro Foundation, OKF, a platform established to preserve her legacy and support lupus awareness in Nigeria.
Raising Awareness on Lupus
Lupus, also known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs, including the joints, skin, kidneys and heart.
Although there is currently no known cure, the disease can be managed with immunosuppressants, anti-inflammatory medications and lifestyle adjustments aimed at reducing flare-ups.
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According to associates of the late legal practitioner, Keshinro’s battle with lupus was marked by severe physical pain and the unpredictable nature of the illness. Despite medical care and the support of family, friends and colleagues, her condition eventually worsened.
The firm also acknowledged the support she received from Abiodun Jelili Owonikoko, Principal Partner of Synergy AAttornies during her final days.
Following her passing, Owonikoko moved to ensure that Keshinro’s memory would remain a source of hope by registering the Olushola Keshinro Foundation.
Now in its second year, the foundation has emerged as a growing voice in Nigeria’s health advocacy space, with a mission centred on awareness, education and support for people living with lupus and other poorly understood illnesses.
The foundation is focused on breaking the silence and stigma surrounding autoimmune diseases, particularly in Nigeria, where lupus is often misdiagnosed or wrongly linked to spiritual causes due to poor public understanding.
Health advocates say symptoms such as persistent fatigue, joint pain and the distinctive butterfly-shaped facial rash are often overlooked, contributing to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Bridging the Gap in Care
The foundation also seeks to address the financial burden associated with lupus treatment in Nigeria, where the cost of long-term care can be overwhelming for many families.
Supporters say initiatives like OKF are crucial in helping to bridge the gap between diagnosis and access to treatment, while also creating a support system for patients and their loved ones.
Through its outreach, the foundation provides community support for survivors, advocates for improved medical facilities and more specialist rheumatologists, and educates families on the emotional and physical care needed by lupus patients.
Awareness Walk in Honour of Keshinro
To commemorate World Lupus Day, members of Synergy Attornies took to the streets in branded T-shirts, carrying awareness materials, flyers and roll-up banners as part of the campaign.
The event served both as a tribute to Keshinro’s life and a call for greater public understanding of lupus.
Participants said the late lawyer should be remembered not as a victim of illness, but as a formidable legal mind whose legacy now lives on through a foundation built on love, advocacy and support for others.
As the campaign continues, organisers say the fight against lupus may be a long one, but with sustained awareness and community support, no one living with the disease has to face it alone.
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