The United Nations Population Fund, UNPF, has put plans in place to screen 5,000 persons daily for HIV/AIDS, during the Calabar Carnival.

The Programme Officer of UNPF in Nigeria, Mr. Araoyinbo Idowu, disclosed this in an interview, weekend.

Idowu said that UNPF will conduct the tests in collaboration with an NGO, Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme, ECEWS.

He said the fund will organise an awareness campaign tagged Wise Up Cross River, on a daily basis throughout the one month carnival.

According to Idowu, “there are going to be some demonstrations by youths and various stakeholders during the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. In the course of the campaign, there will be various activities including one-on-one counselling, music, graphic designs, tattoo inscription and games.

“Also, many young volunteers and other stakeholders will be on stage to entertain people each day at the condom zone.”

The Programme Officer said that the campaign was aimed at sensitising youths on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and the need for safe sex.

He said the programme will also bring together commercial sex workers, student organisations and those already living with the virus, to exchange knowledge on the disease.

According to him, the organisation would mobilise youths from the 18 local govern-ment areas in the state to participate in the programme.

Idowu also said that condoms would be distributed free during the month-long campaign.

He added that UNPF decided to bring the campaign to the carnival because of its popularity and mass participation.