By Val. Okara, Owerri.
The Daily Sun News
The Embassy of Ireland through its in-country Micro Project Scheme has committed over N11millions Naira to fight HIVS/AIDS in Agwa Community in Oguta Local Government, Area Imo State.
Speaking during the World AIDS day celebration on December 1st at Central school Obudi Agwa, the Aid Attaché Embassy of Ireland, Abuja, Hayley Veltom said that the Embassy has found pleasure and satisfaction in addressing HIV/AIDS problems in Nigeria through its partners. She specifically commended the effort of Centre for HIV/AIDS and STD Research (CHISTRE) for its enormous effort and commitment in fighting the HIV/AIDS scourge in rural areas.
Hayley said that the program of CHISTRE has trained 46 teachers, 60 students as Peer Health Educators formed Anti-Aids clubs in five post primary school and reached estimated 22,635 students during classroom teaching with accurate information on HIV and AIDS. She however, said that in spite of these efforts there is still much to be done in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Mr. Nduka Ozor, the Project Director of CHISTRE said that World Aids Day provides an opportunity for sober reflection on all issues concerning HIV/AIDS. Mr. Ozor said that his organization is committed to preventing new infections as well as mitigating the impact of the virus in Agwa.
He however, lamented that women and girls in the rural communities are more vulnerable to the virus due to their high ignorance of the virus. He also said that the weakness of health systems in the rural communities limits the ability to reach those in greatest need with sustainable preventing and treatment services.
“We need to give more support to women, improvement in the social status of women and in their control over household income, in education, also for girls, but better access to sexual and reproductive health services is an achievable goal. We need to press forward for more political will especially at the local government levels to achieve this.
A generation without AIDS is achievable and CHISTRE is in the fore of this initiative he said. He challenged each and every one to fight HIV wherever they find it. Only when we make the virus our common enemy and stop risky behaviours shall we succeed in this global fight and commits to making a generation without Aids.
Eze Ignatius O. Asor, the traditional ruler of Obudi Agwa autonomous community commended Mr. Nduka Ozor, whom he said is spear heading the campaign on HIV/AIDS preventions, care and support services in Agwa with his team. The Eze enjoined the youth in the community to make good use of the information provided to them by the organization. Over 3000 students from 18 schools participated in the event.
