Human Capital
Acting President reiterates Govt’s commitment to HIV/AIDS programmes
Feb 22, 2010, 14:32
| | The Acting President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has reiterated the Federal Government's commitment to partner and cooperate with relevant agencies to stem the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Jonathan stated this on Monday February 22, when he received in audience UNAID Executive Director, Mr. Michel Sidibe, and the US Global AIDS Coordinator, Ambassador Eric Goosby, at the State House, Abuja.
The Acting President said Government is concerned about the HIV/AIDS scourge, particularly, the prevalence of mother to child transmission of the virus.
He emphasized the need to get the correct statistics on the disease and to harness resources from Federal, States and donor agencies in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Dr Jonathan appreciated the contributions of both the UN and US Government in the fight against HIV/AIDS particularly in Africa and implored them not to rest on their oars.
Earlier, Mr Sidibe canvassed the increased funding by African countries of HIV/AIDS programmes noting that 94 per cent of funds for such programmes still come from outside the continent.
He also requested that Nigeria should use its position to influence African Union’s Declaration on prevention of Mother to Child transmission of HIV/AIDS. In addition, he said Nigeria and South Africa should collaborate to put up a preventive message on HIV/AIDS during the 2010 World Cup.
Ambassador Goosby on his part said the US remains committed to Nigeria as a partner in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He said his country holds Nigeria in high regard and will sustain its campaign programmes on the scourge.
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