By Chioma Obinna

To mark this year’s World AIDS Day 2015, the Red Ribbon Coalition, an alliance of strategic NGOs and private sector partners in Nigeria, is embarking on 4-day nationwide community outreach in various Local Government Areas to reach over 3.5 million Nigerians with HIV key messages and 7, 500 for HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) services.

BRIEFING: From left: Comm. Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Sam Umukoro; Executive Director, Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative, Anuoluwa Ishola; Convener 2015 Nigerian Red Ribbon Coalition and Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Emeka Mba; HIV AIDS Specialist, Society for Family Health, Emmanuel Olaoti; and Executive Secretary, Youth Empowerment Foundation, Iwalola Akin-Jimoh at the 2015 World AIDS Day Pre-Campaign Media Parley organised by the Nigerian Red Ribbon Coalition in Lagos.

Convener of the coalition, Mr. Emeka Mba who is the Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited said:

“In addition to mobilizing and sensitising people to know their status with the provision of free HCT in a friendly environment we are poised to tackle issues of stigmatisation, discrimination and fear of getting tested by promoting social inclusion and adequate care for People Living with HIV/AIDS, PLWHA and stimulating stakeholders involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“The coalition which is funded by global beverage giant, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and MAC AIDS Fund (Makers of MAC Cosmetics), comprises three NGOs including Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative, YEDI, Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF) and Society for Family Health (SFH); private partners like Owu Sportswear, Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA), the media, ex-Super Eagles stars, among several others.

“We also want to reach about 3.5milion people with correct, up-to-date HIV/AIDS information via various platforms, while covering the area of Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission, PMTCT. A pan-Nigeria coalition that will leverage on each party’s strength and network is no doubt a better way of pushing back the scourge. Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited is committed to building partnerships that promote development and growth, actively participating in activities that bring social equity to the table.” He added.

On her part, YEDI’s Executive Director, Anu Ishola said a star-studded Red Ribbon Novelty match on December 5,  will feature ex-Super Eagles stars like Emmanuel Babayaro, Peter Rufai, Celestine Babayaro, Kanu Nwankwo, Victor Ikpeba and OAPs among others.

She hinted that elaborate plans were in place to make the projected figures a reality with the technical contribution, integrity, and wealth of experience of Society for Family Health, SFH, especially in the areas of quality HCT.

“The ex-Super Eagles Stars agreed to participate in the novelty match for free to further raise awareness and mitigate stigma, discrimination and fear of testing. If we can directly reach 7500 persons now, with more collaborative efforts, that figure will substantially increase next year thereby making the HIV component of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals a reality,” she added.

The Red Ribbon Coalition was established barely two months ago to join in the global fight against HIV/AIDS by leveraging on corporate and individual strength of members.