Lafia – The National Youths Service Corp (NYSC) HIV/AIDS fighter club in Nasarawa state has advised Nigerians to Zip-up and avoid risky behaviours in order to ensure a zero HIV/AIDS-free society.
Mrs. Esther Ogidi, the Leader of the club, gave the advice at a one-day HIV/AIDS sensitisation campaign organised by the club for students of College of Agriculture, Lafia.
Ogidi explained that the programme was designed to entrench a zero HIV infection by changing people’s consciousness and re-orientating Nigerians on the danger of the scourge in the society.
“ As we are all aware that HIV/AIDS had not only affected our lives and the socio-economic development of our country negatively, but it has also affected our family progress once if one is infected with the virus in the family.
“That is why we have decided to carry out an aggressive campaign against the deadly disease to all nooks and cranny of the state especially to schools to educate the students and other people on the prevention and treatment of the deadly disease.
“We are also here to sensitise the old and the new students with proper information on the consequences of engaging in unprotected sex and sharing sharp objects with people because most of the newly admitted students have just gained freedom from their parents.
“I want to call on you and other Nigerians to Zip-up and to avoid risky behaviours so as not to be contacted with the disease as well as to ensure zero HIV/AIDS infection in the society for the benefit of all,’’ she said.
According to her, the scourge had remain a global threat, hence the need for students and other Nigerians to Zip-up and avoid risky behaviours in their interest, in the interest of their families and the country at large.
Ogidi also called for collective effort among traditional rulers, religious leaders, NGOs and other stakeholders to complement government efforts in fighting the scourge in the society through aggressive public awareness campaign against the disease.
Besides, she enjoined people to be faithful to their partners and to always go to health facilities for testing to know their HIV/AIDS status.
The leader of the club further advised Nigerians to show love and care to persons living with the virus and avoid discriminating against them, warning that the anti-stigmatisation law frowned at it.
Responding, the Students Union President of the College of Agriculture, Lafia, Mr Moses Kudu, commended the club for organising the campaign against the deadly disease in the country and called for its sustenance.
He urged students to respect the lessons learnt in order to safeguard their future.
The sensitisation campaign featured free testing, counselling and distribution of condoms, among others.