Presidential Research & Communications Unit

Existence of diverse organisations fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa has hindered desired achievements therefore commitment to ensure regrouping of similar organisations at continental level to pursue similar objectives is needed.

This is the opinion of the Nigerian First Lady, Mrs Turai Umar Yar’Adua when the First Lady of Niger Republic Madame Laraba Tandja paid her a Friendly Working Visit paid in Abuja.

Hajia Turai said it is important to come up with organisations that are formidable, cohesive and focused so that set targets could be achieved easily. She pledged her support and cooperation with any meaningful efforts that harmonize activities for betterment of both Nigerians and Nigeriens.

Mrs. Yar’adua commended the First Lady of Niger on her leadership roles in the fight against HIV/AIDS pandemic in Niger Republic and Africa at large.

In her key note address Mrs. Laraba Tandja who is also the chairperson of African Synergy against AIDS and Suffering believes that with merger of relevant bodies problems of HIV/AIDS in Africa will be tackled.

Mrs. Tandja said young people and children of school age are the major targets of the African Synergy against AIDS and Suffering, because they are worst hit by the plague. She said for percent out of the seven percent infected with the virus are on retroviral drugs.