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Intl. Non Governmental Organization

Health, Child Protection & Youth Development.

A

REPORT

ON THE MARKING OF

WORLD AIDS DAY 1st DECEMBER 2003.

At

CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

WARRI – DELTA STATE NIGERIA

PRODUCED BY LIBERTY 4 AFRICA.

The event target group during our World AIDS Day celebration was youths aged 15 – 49 years. With an average of 700 students and about 20 staff at Cambridge International School and 10 of Liberty 4 Africa (L4A) members.

It is important to note that youths of this age group are an important population to mobilize and educate since they are leaders of tomorrow and are most important for a sustainable future.

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EVENTS:

A two day event was chosen to celebrate this year’s World AIDS Day, 1st December, 2003, in the city of Warri, Delta – State. The HIV/AIDS awareness campaign commenced at 7.15am at the L4A office at #17 Eburu Street, Okumagba Avenue, Warri, before proceeding to

Cambridge International School. The program officially commenced immediately after the school finished their Morning Assembly. The event started with an opening prayer from Mr. David Akpotu (project co-

coordinator). This was followed by an introduction to Liberty 4

Africa from Mr. Aghogho Careca Akarue (CEO/founder) highlighting briefly the mission and aims of Liberty 4 Africa (L4A) and its role as a non profit organization. He explained its efforts to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in the State and the past activities of the organization

such as its Global Youth Service Day 11th – 13th April 2003-where the organization organized a March for Peace, an AIDS awareness programme and a novelty football match. He also laid emphasis on the need of support in helping L4A achieve it aims and objectives in the fight against this

deadly disease from institutions, organizations, the public, governments and international organizations and other agencies.

And finally Mr. Akarue mentioned that

Cambridge International School is a fine example of a noble institution grounded in the principles of the social, economic and environment pillars of sustainable

development.

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Thirdly Mr. Mark Healy (Volunteer UK) gave a lecture on HIV/AIDS, when he

discussed the meaning of HIV/AIDS and how far AIDS has spread,

highlighting the situation in Nigeria. He spoke about its modes of

transmission and also preventative measures.

He also stated that AIDS is the worst epidemic

to hit mankind since the Middle Ages. Then

the Bubonic Plague killed around 30 million

people. Already, AIDS has claimed the lives of 28 million people around

the world – and there is still no cure.

He mentioned that in Nigeria, it is said that 1000 people die of AIDS every

day. That there are estimated to be 5 million people who have the HIV virus.

But only 100, 000 people have come out to say they are HIV positive. You

cannot tell if a person is infected just because they look well. So the

people who keep their HIV infection secret, or do not know that they are

infected are the people who are most likely to be spreading the virus.

The President Olusegun Obasanjo agrees with a United Nations report that

one Nigerian is infected with HIV every minute. At the moment Nigeria is

the fourth country in the world most hit by HIV. By 2010, it will be the

country with the highest number of people infected with HIV in the world –

when the youths who are 15 now are aged 22 – their country will be the

worst country for AIDS deaths in the world.

Only last week the Nigerian Minister of Finance Dr (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-

Iweala said that one out of every four persons in Abuja was infected with

HIV. And as there is no cure – those people will eventually die.

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After the conclusion of the lecture, Miss Vivian O (Secretary) narrated a

short story on how two young students got involved in a sexual

relationship and at the end of the day they were both

infected by the virus and she went through a fell of

discrimination from friends and family members. Miss

Vivian urged the students to abstain from sex in order

to focus on their studies and to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS which would

destroy their future.

After which the students had opportunity to ask questions on HIV/AIDS and

the whole program in general. Permit me to quote one of the questions

from the senior girl prefect on the school, (Cynthiana Yalagh) is there is a

cure for AIDS and if there is will it increase immorality in the world? The

question was answered by Mr. Aghogho Careca Akarue (CEO/founder L4A)

saying there is no discovered cure for AIDS and that the best way to avoid

infection is to abstain from sex or delay sex…safe sex and when a cure for

HIV/AIDS is eventually found, immorality will have to be

curbed…that is why we are working with campaigns and

awareness for people to be educated…this is a medium of

education and help and we all have a role to play!

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A teacher of the school also asked a question, relating to what solution the

Federal Government of Nigeria is going offer to solve this deadly disease.

It is surprising to learn that they are doing little to fight AIDS in the country,

especially in the rural areas. Mr. Igharo .K the (Principal of Cambridge

International School) concluded the lecture with advice to the students to

take the lecture from Liberty 4 Africa

(L4A) very serious and also to pass on the

message to their love ones. The Principal

urged them to avoid sex till of full and

mature age.

Beyond this fact Mrs. Folaranmi G (Vice Principal of Cambridge

International School) gave motherly advice to the students by advising

them to abstain from sex and be more careful with other measures by

which they can contract HIV…like sharing of instruments among them

selves. Mr. Temi Odogu (National Co-coordinator) gave a vote of thanks to

the school acknowledging their efforts in making World AIDS Day event a

reality.

Finally the Vice Principal (Administration), gave the final remarks to the

school and thanked the group from Liberty 4 Africa for their time in

marking World AIDS Day in their noble institution and then led the closing

prayer.

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Group pictures were taken with the students and staff of the school. And

the event in the school was concluded.

Liberty 4 Africa (L4A) also went out on the street of Warri and distributes

HIV/AIDS flyers to individuals, businesses and other sectors in the city and

told them about the role they can play in the fight against AIDS. This

distribution also took place two days before World AIDS Day.

The distribution of flyers and meeting people in this way gave the Liberty 4

Africa representatives the opportunity also to discuss with individuals and

organizations the issues around of HIV/AIDS and how their support in

spreading this message would be of great help.

L4A wishes to remind all institutions and concerned individuals to organise

a World AIDS Day event in their area and encourages everyone to

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participate fully in supporting and understanding the fight against HIV/AIDS

worldwide.

Live and let live. Help us fight fear, shame, ignorance and injustice

worldwide.

Liberty 4 Africa…a beacon of hope!!