By Michael Eboh
Access Bank Plc in conjunction with Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (DCGEP), PEPFAR, Chevron and Discovery Communication have entered into a strategic partnership to empower a vast majority of Nigerians and Africans in general, with the necessary knowledge to make informed health decisions and also reduce the scourge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The partnership, according to a statement by Access Bank, will lead to the production of a breakthrough media-based education initiative, tagged ‘Inside Story: The Science of HIV/AIDS, in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The statement noted that the initiative, in form of a feature-length film is the cornerstone of the project and combines the best of fiction and non-fiction storytelling to unravel the mystery of HIV and empower millions with the knowledge they need to make informed health decisions.

The partners, according to the statement,  have generously pledged 94 per cent of the funding needed to produce the film.
The statement reads, “In order to start production on INSIDE STORY in 2011, DCGEP is launching a GlobalGiving online donation campaign on World AIDS Day 2010, allowing individuals to contribute to the project’s success.

“This first-of-a-kind campaign for DCGEP will also receive the support of Discovery Communications’ expansive social media networks in the U.S. and beyond. After production is complete, a comprehensive roll-out for the film will include national broadcasts across Africa, theatrical screenings and grassroots efforts from NGO partners, schools and governments.