Make War Against HIV/AIDS A State Concern- Jonathan

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President Goodluck Jonathan has urged state Governors to take full charge of the battle against the dreaded Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) at the state level.

The President who was speaking at the official launch of the “Protect the Goal Initiative”, a global campaign to sensitize the populace against unwholesome practices that encourage the rate of increase of the dreaded HIV/AIDS infection, stated that “While we fully support the individual efforts of our various states , I would like ?to re-iterate my call on our state governors to own and take the lead in HIV response in their respect give states, effective coordination of these initiatives is well in line with the agenda of transformation of a better health for our citizens” .

The “protect the goal” initiative focuses on the utilization of football to sensitize and motivate young people on the need for positive behaviours and attitude in order to avoid HIV infection and other sexual and reproductive health related issues .

It is also an initiative of the UNAIDS to ?Protect the Goal” which has the specific objectives to Raise HIV awareness worldwide; Mobilize national and international media, Mobilize the worlds of sport and culture to strengthen the AIDS response and Accelerate progress in HIV prevention, particularly among young people.

The emphasis of the ?Protect the Goal Campaign? is also on reproductive health, stopping violence against women and anti-discrimination; and on the need for ensuring that all 15 million people eligible for life-saving antiretroviral treatment can access it by 2015, the deadline for the UN Millennium Development Goals.

The initiative, is hoping to use the forth coming World Cup as a forum for sensitizing the youth to create the necessary consciousness on the evil effect of such behaviours that encourages the spread of HIV/aids.

The President who noted that sport is a powerful social change agent, stated that “Time and time again, history has shown us that sports in General, especially football in particular are uniting factors among our people. I therefore wholly support this initiative which seeks to harness the convening power of football as a tool to support HIV interventions in our country, Nigeria”.

He further noted that “The prevention of HIV/AIDS polio and the reduction of maternal and child maternity ?had been and remain core priorities ?for this administration.

“Over the years serving in various capacities from my days in Bayelsa State as a governor till today as the President of this country, I have been personally involved in efforts at addressing this scourge, that is why ?in July last year we hosted the Abuja plus 12 special summit of African Union Heads of States and governments on HIV/AIDS of which we launched the programme, which resolved to ?implement measures to accelerate the eradication of these diseases in Africa by the year 2030.

“Ahead of that summit we will make a landmark comprehensive response plan to eradicate HIV/AIDS from Nigeria beginning with an initiate aimed at getting 80 million Nigerians tested for HIV in the next two years. Currently financial and material resources have already been committed to supporting the implementation of this programme.

“Although there are encouraging signs of progress, we are not satisfied. It is in this regard that I’m inviting all key stakeholders at be federal, state and local government levels to unite around a national plan, the President’s response comprehensive plan against HIV/AIDS in order to change the game.

“I’m convinced that when this plan is implemented between now and 2015, we will have a more positive story, which the world will acknowledge. To you, our super eagles, I’m inviting to become the goals ambassadors in our fight against HIV/AIDS and the improvement of sexual and reproductive health because together we have the historic ?responsibility to protect our youths and the future of our nation”.

The President also called on Nigeria’s cultural icons from the Nollywood family and other celebrities in the country to ensure that this message gets to all “our people and that the future of this nation will never be compromised by HIV/AIDS or sexual and reproductive health issues.

“As sports and cultural icons, you are all uniquely positioned to change the attitudes and behaviours of our young populations. I count on you to help our young people who lookup to you to be one the real future of our beloved nation”.

He assured that government will continue to support the Supper Eagles and urged them to make the nation proud in Brazil stating that ” I am convinced that you are very capable and gave all it takes to do our nation proud in Brazil.

“Let me again clearly to our super eagles that we are with you and we will always be with you because you are a pride and inspiration to our nation, we wish you success in Brazil and I have no doubt that you will again bring pride to Nigeria and to Africa”.

A Senior Adviser in the Office of UNAIDS, New York, Dr. Djibril Diallo, who represented the organization, hinted that the project is also aimed at ? Achieving the Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6; including the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and attainment of 50% domestic financing of the HIV ?Response is a renewed commitment of this administration.

“This comprehensive response plan provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to join hands and march towards the end of AIDS. ?I use this medium to call on the political class to see the achievement of an AIDS free generation in Nigeria as a befitting legacy we can leave behind for the citizens of this great nation.?

He further disclosed that “an estimated 5.4 million adolescents and young people are living with HIV of which 1.8 million are eligible for HIV treatment. ?Millions of these people do not even know that they are living with the virus. ?Every day, some 2,100 youths become infected, accounting for 36% of all new HIV infections throughout the world.

“Mr President, there are two events which the Executive of UNAIDS has brought to your kind attention: ?The world tour of the ?Protect the Goal Campaign? and the Global Launch.

“The world tour kicked off in March 2014 in South Africa and includes the circulation of a ?Protect the Goal? branding ball- this ball to countries whose national teams have qualified for the world cup in Brazil. ?

“The football will be signed by the Presidents of those countries during high visibility media events. ?We are very honoured that you will be able to sign the ball in a few moment in solidarity with the campaign”.

President Jonathan was invited to Brazil to the Global Launch of the ?Protect the Goal Campaign? which will take place ?on?9th June, 2014 from 10.00am to 12.00noon, in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. ?

“We seek the following actions on the part of your Excellency: to be the Special Guest of the ?Protect the Goal Campaign? during the Global Launch on?9th June, in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. ?During the ceremony, Your Excellency will hand over officially the ?Protect the Goal? ball to the President of Brazil thereby illustrating the slogan of the campaign ?From Soweto to Bahia?.

The President is also expected to assist with the promotion of the ?Protect the Goal Campaign? among other Heads of State while in Brazil, as well as acknowledge?June 9th?as International Protect the Goal Day through proclamation or some sort of pronouncement; also have free HIV testing at designated areas, all day, throughout cities and the country (at least one or two in areas, perhaps working in partnership with hospitals or health facilities)

“Your Excellency, you are please encouraged to assist in the appointment of the Super Eagles as Protect the Goal Ambassadors”.

The ball will be used in a special event during the UN General Assembly in September, in New York, with the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary General of the United Nations. ??

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