By  Anozie Egole

A Senior lecturer in the Department of Religion, Lagos State University, Paramole Abdul-Kabir Olawale, PhD, has commended  Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and his predecessor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring that the endemic HIV and AIDS disease was drastically reduced in the state as a result of  their different enlightenment programmes.

Dr. Olawale who stated that the leaders embarked on these enlightenment programs under the Ministry of Health  added that they care for the infected patients.

“To show their passion for the life of Lagosians, and to explain the need for people to know their status, Gov. Fashola went into an open test and he was tested negative. So, if the Gov. can be bold enough to declare open his status, why won’t others go for the same test?”

The scholar made this known at the launching of a book he authored, ‘Islamic Perspective on HIV and AIDS’, held at LTV Multipurpose Hall, Ikeja recently.  He noted that the book was written from two chapters out of eight chaptered thesis for his doctorate degree.

Speaking to newsmen on the book launch, Olawale who is also the Chief Missioner, Jejewiyyat in Nigeria and Overseas, said what inspired him to writing the book was a tour he made in the year 2007 to Johanesbourg, South Africa, adding that South Africans show great love and compassion to victims of the disease.

He stressed that the Muslims especially in the South West have a lukewarm attitude toward the  disease as many of them do not understand whether it exists or not and how the disease is spread.

“To my greatest surprise, some people are still thinking that hugging, kissing or sharing eateries and toiletries with an infected person are ways to which one can be infected. These are some of the controversies the book tries to clear.”