Nigerian First Lady, Zambian counterpart strategise against HIV/AIDS in Abuja
By
May 10, 2008, 20:05

Nigerian First Lady, Zambian counterpart strategise against HIV/AIDS in Abuja

The scourge of HIV/AIDS in Africa requires political will and commitment at all levels to contain. This formed the crux of discussions when the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Turai Umar Yar’Adua played host to the Zambian First Lady, Mrs Maureen Mwanawasa at the State House Abuja.

In her address of welcome Mrs Turai Yar’Adua pointed out that she has put in place the National Women Coalition against HIV/AIDS (NAWOCA). Already State Chapters are being put in place by Wives of Governors in the 36 states of the country, the First Lady revealed.

Mrs Yar’Adua expressed determination to ensure the local charters were established in the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria in view of the magnitude of the HIV pandemic and the need to have a well coordinated national response.

The Nigerian First Lady commended the Zambian First Lady who is also the President of Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) on her leadership role in the fight against HIV/AIDS endemic, which has made progress in mitigating mother to child transmission in Africa.

Mrs Mwanawasa urged First Ladies of Africa to sustain the political will and leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS. She disclosed that progress in many parts of Africa is very noticeable.

“We are seeing the clear return on HIV/AIDS investments. Antiretroviral therapy and second line drugs are now universally accessible, approximately three million people were on treatment in 2007”, Mrs Mwanawasa stated.

The Zambian First Lady asserted that although Africa is endowed with abundant resources to feed itself, there is need to adequately harness these resources to sustain its populations especially those affected and infected with HIV/AIDS.

Mrs. Maureen Mwanawasa saluted the Nigerian First Lady for mobilizing and galvanizing the Federal Republic of Nigeria in rising up to reverse the negative impact of ill health among women and children. She said Mrs. Yar’adua’s initiative of taking control of HIV/AIDS is worthy of emulation.

The Director General of National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin said currently 28 Federal Line Ministries and Agencies are fighting against AIDS and at least 5 line Ministries in the States will follow. He affirmed that it’s only with active participation of women that prevalence will reduce significantly.

United Nations resident representative in Nigeria, earlier said, the positions of First Ladies as mothers made them to understand vulnerability of women in their countries. He said 61 per cent of people with AIDS in Sub Saharan African are women, which is due to social norms, poverty and illiteracy. He intimated the gathering that UN is in support of NAWOCA and will not relent to support OAFLA.

The wife of Benue State Governor, Mrs. Dooshima Yemisi Gabriel Suswam, revealed that Benue State has inaugurated coalition against AIDS -Sev-Av- in January, after the First Lady’s inauguration of NAWOCA in August 2007. She said Sev-Av has recorded improvement in increase awareness on HIV/AIDS, it provide care and support for HIV orphans among numerous of its achievements Mrs. Suswam disclosed.

Oyo State has also inaugurated OYSWOCAcoalition against AIDS, declared the wife of
Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Kemi Aloa Akala, she said effective grassroots involvement and collaboration in fighting against the scourge.

© Copyright 2006 nigeriafirst.org