Towards addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis in Nigeria, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, says no less than 1.8 million Nigerians are currently living with the disease.
She said the nation is grappling with a severe HIV/AIDS crisis in an address following a meeting with state governors’ wives at the State House in Abuja.
She also noted that persons aged 15 and above make up the majority, with overall 1.8 million People Living with HIV (PLWHIV).
Shockingly, 1.1 million of these are adult women.
The impact on the younger generation is equally alarming, with 1 in 7 babies born globally being Nigerian. Also, children contribute 23% of new infections in Nigeria, surpassing the 8% contributions of key populations, according to the Mode of Transmission Study.
An official statement delivered by the Special Assistant, Media, to the First Lady, Busola Kukoyi, Tinubu expressed deep concern, declaring that these statistics are not only alarming, but also embarrassing and unacceptable, addressing that her husband’s administration has initiated measures to address this crisis and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
The First Lady announced a strategic partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to intensify advocacy efforts against HIV/AIDS with the collaborative aim of ending the pandemic in Nigeria by 2030.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Senator Tinubu emphasized the need for a united front and outlines plans to take the advocacy to traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, educational institutions, and every corner of the nation.
She also stressed the importance of education in combating the crisis, pledging to champion the #WeAreEqual campaign of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) to close the gender gap in Africa.
Additionally, she committed to supporting the “Free to Shrine” campaign of OAFLAD to counter growing complacency in responding to childhood HIV in Africa.
She used the platform to announce the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS), scheduled for December 21, 2023, and that it will spread to all 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory concurrently, as well as provide financial support, medical screenings, and other benefits to 250 elderly persons per state.
She noted that to kickstart RHIESS, drafts totaling N25million were presented to the First Ladies of each state for disbursement to beneficiaries, and aligns with the broader vision of the administration to foster a healthier and more resilient society.
As Nigeria grapples with the escalating HIV/AIDS crisis, the First Lady stressed the need to inform bold actions to signal a determined effort to tackle this pressing issue head-on and safeguard the health and future of the nation, saying that the urgency of the situation demands a collective and concerted response from all stakeholders to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and to mitigate its devastating impact on the Nigerian population.
