By Dayo Johnson
BISHOP of Akure (Anglican Communion), Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi Tuesday raised alarm over the rate of corruption in the handling of funds for control of HIV/AIDS by government agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, in the country.

Rev Gbonigi spoke at a one-day presentation on deliverable on the researches into sex work supply in Ondo State organised by Multiview Advocacy Network, MANET.

The Clergyman who noted that politicians and civil servants were guilty of the offence said he was disturbed at the rate of corruption in the system.

He regretted that many people were suffering and dying on daily basis because of the impact of HIV/AIDS in the society and urged churches and christians to support MANET in its quest to assist those affected by the scourge.

The Executive Director of MANET, Mrs. Jewel Bolade, said research had shown that 70 per cent of commercial sex workers are infected with STDs and STIs.

Bolade pointed out that no fewer than 90, 000 girls were involved in sex work, excluding those on the streets, beer parlours, pepper soup joints, who were not fully committed to the job.

According to her, the population of Ondo State was put at 3, 460, 877 while the research carried out in Owo, Okitipupa and Akure had shown that 3 per cent of the population, mainly women were involved in sex work.

HIV/AIDS pandemic blamed on poverty

Bolade, who blamed the situation on abject poverty among the women folk, however, challenged Nigerian women to help themselves and shun materialism.

Speaking at the ceremony, the State Commissioner for Adult and Vocational Education, Mrs. Kehinde Momoh, said the ministry was created by the present administration to help the youths and the jobless in the society.

She therefore, urged the sex workers who were willing to quit the job to take advantage of the technical colleges and skill acquisition centres across the state.

Also, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Development and NGOs, Mrs Bolanle Olufunmiloye said the state government is ready to collaborate with genuine NGOs in the state to alleviate poverty and assist in skill acquisition and vocational training.

Olufunmiloye added that micro credit facilities would soon be rolled out by the state government to assist the people.