By Esther Onyegbula

With Valentine’s season being a time of heightened romance and intimacy, it is always crucial to emphasize the importance of taking care of one’s health while celebrating love.

Love is Safe is a movement by NiBUCAA towards fostering healthier relationships and communities by advocating for safe love practices, the use of condoms and encouraging regular HIV/AIDS testing and counselling.

This edition was carried out in two vibrant locations: Lagos (at the University of Lagos) on the 14th of February, 2024 and Abuja (Kobi community) on Sunday 18th February 2024 respectively.

In Lagos, NiBUCAA collaborated with the Anti-AIDS Club of the University of Lagos to sensitize 3,000 students on basic facts about HIV and other /STIs, prevention strategies and care. A total of 414 beneficiaries from the University accessed free HIV testing services.

While in Abuja, about 17,000 residents of the Kobi community, Guzape Extension, Abuja were adequately sensitized, a total of 587 beneficiaries from the community accessed free HIV testing services, and 4 people who tested positive were appropriately referred for treatment and support.

Opeyemi Yekini, Senior Programs and Evaluation Officer, NiBUCAA Abuja noted that there is still palpable fear among young people, about knowing their HIV status.

“There is still a lot of fear circulating among young people about knowing their HIV status; however, with the appropriate level of sensitization and assurance of ART integration, the fear will gradually ease off. We also noticed some concerns associated with HIV stigma, considering the conversations encountered during sensitization and community mobilization. More work needs to be done, and NiBUCAA is at the forefront of making this a reality,” he said.

In addition to the free HIV screening services, NiBUCAAs’ “Love is Safe” campaign also organized an Instagram challenge. Couples were invited to share beautiful photos of themselves with their partner, accompanied with captions expressing their commitment to safe love practices. Omomii82 emerged as the winner of the challenge and will be treated to an all-expense-paid dinner with her partner on a weekend, courtesy of the NiBUCAA “Love is Safe” campaign.

The Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) leads over 30 businesses in Nigeria with a commitment to fight the HIV and AIDS pandemic at all levels of intervention within the health system and the private sector workforce. Some of these businesses are the Access Corporation, the Dangote Group (represented by The Aliko Dangote Foundation), Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, DMG Events, the Shell Companies in Nigeria amongst others.