By Anino Aganbi

World AIDS Day is the first ever global health day, instituted in 1988 and is commemorated every 1st December for people across the globe to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died.

OLAM Nigeria joined the rest of the world to observe World AIDS Day with activities in two states of the Federation, Lagos and Cross River State Nigeria, reaching over 2,000 persons. The theme of the event “Closing the gap” was done with the sole purpose of empowering and enabling people everywhere, access the services they need. In Lagos State, Health Education as well as HIV Counselling and Testing was held for staff, distributors and retailers of Olam and its sister companies; along with residents of its surrounding communities in Lagos.

Adequate information on the importance of knowing their status and practicing the ABC (Abstinence, Be faithful, Condom use) formula to a healthy sexual life was provided for staff. Information was also provided about ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) and confidential voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing by trained testers was made available.

The AID’s awareness events in Lagos saw participation from more than 2200 people out of which about 400 were tested and counselled.

OLAM Nigeria funded these initiatives in full support of this year’s World AIDS Day theme, “Close the Gap” between people who have access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and those who do not and in so doing end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Dr. Esther Somefun stated that “Although the HIV virus knew no gender bound, women and children are more vulnerable to the disease. There is no young person who is willing to access care for HIV because people are judgmental. These services are available but young people still need to be reached out to because the equivalence of HIV in them in Lagos state is high”.

She further said that “Lagos State is doing a whole lot but we still have to reach out to the next generation in different methods. We need more adolescent and youth friendly clinic.

The ages 10-24 need more attention because they are the generation of the country. If you have a very high percentage of those infected in that generation, it will affect every thing in all aspects. We all need to bring down the rate of increase of the virus especially in the next generation.

This is a wake up call for the nation to do more pertaining the youths. It should not be just for HIV alone but also other diseases that could affect them. So we need to do more for our young generations who are the future of Nigeria”.