NGO distributes 70,000 condoms, tests 4,000 for HIV in Kogi

A non governmental organization, Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria on Friday inaugurated the distribution of 70,000 condoms to the people of Kogi State as part of activities marking the 2019 International Condoms Day.

The state coordinator of AHF Nigeria, Dr Balogun Stephen, while inaugurating the programme in Lokoja, the state capital, said the organizlsation had also offered free HIV counselling and testing services for about 4,000 people in the state to ascertain their status.

Speaking at the event which took place on the campus of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, he said the programme was aimed at encouraging the use of condoms to prevent HIV,  other sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy.

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He said the Day was set aside to create HIV awareness amongst the people, especially the youth population and the need for them to promote safer sex through the use of contraceptives.

Balogun said, “We are doing this in the months of February because it is the month of love. It is the Valentine month and we celebrate it to coincide with the period so that while people go about celebrating love, they don’t end up contracting diseases as a result of celebrating love.

“We have over 70,000 condoms to be distributed during this period. We are providing free HIV testing. The target was to reach out to 3,150 but the good news is that we have gone beyond that. As at yesterday, we have tested 3,200 and we hope that before the end of today we might be achieving close to 4,000”.

Balogun, who appealed the state government on the need to domesticate the anti-stigmatisation law in the state, urged the people to avoid stigmatising and discriminating against people living with HIV AIDS in the state. the usage of condoms as well.

Wife of the Kogi state governor, Mrs Rashida Bello, however, encouraged people to use contraceptives as means of preventing unwanted pregnancies, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

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The Kogi first lady, who spoke through the commissioner for women affairs and social development, Mrs Bolanle Amupitan, raised concerns over rising cases of teenage pregnancies and abandonment new babies in odd places in the state.

She, therefore, commended AHF Nigeria for collaborating with the Kogi State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Office of Wife of the Governor to create awareness on safer sex and prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Mrs Bello urged the mammoth gathering of youths at the event to always “keep safe and stay safe”, adding that “carelessness of this moment could cause pain of a lifetime”.