Posted by By Agha Ibiam on
It was a long walk/awareness seminar for school children and some officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as well as education directors in Lagos State last week. It was a programme designed by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs to sensitise secondary school students and the public on the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
It was a long walk/awareness seminar for school children and some officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as well as education directors in Lagos State last week. It was a programme designed by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs to sensitise secondary school students and the public on the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
About 1,500 students from 45 secondary schools started the walk from Ikeja Local Government secretariat and terminated it at the Ministry of Women Affairs, Government House, Alausa. It was followed with a lecture on HIV/AIDS by a resource person.
The programme was organised in collaboration with Lagos State AIDS Control Agency to sensitise school children in preparation for their long vacation. According to Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the state governor, the opportunity was not just to inform them about the dangers of HIV/AIDS but also to use the means of passing the information across to their parents, guardians, neighbours and friends.
"Some of you may wonder why we have decided to involve children in the campaign against HIV/AIDS. I wish to inform us that the days are gone when children were expected to be quiet. Our children now have their opinions, rights and privileges which they express explicitly. They are therefore the people who can bring about lasting change in the society", she said.
Also, the inauguration of the children's parliament in Lagos State recently, Mrs Tinubu said, was to assist the children to air their views on issues concerning them. These include, right to life, education, good health, protection, nutrition freedom of association.
She said it would be a mistake to under-estimate the impact children could make in the campaign against HIV/AIDS. She said unlike adults who already have a mind-set, children could easily adapt more easily to changes.
"Children, the future of this nation depends on you. We could minimise this deadly scourge with your collaboration and participation. Avoid pre-marital sex, never share needles or syringes with anyone, do not use the manicure/pedicure set of other people, avoid taking unscreened blood, avoid leaving wounds untreated and boys should endeavour to have their barbing set", Tinubu told the school children.
She said government could not ignore the fact that there were several people who are already infected by HIV/AIDS. She, therefore, urged the children to avoid any form of stigmatisation against them, but instead should show love and understanding to those living with the virus. HIV/AIDS, she said, is not a respecter of anyone, therefore there is the need to minimise or eradicate it.
Mrs. Joke Adefulire, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, explained that her ministry's concern was to create awareness, sensitise the public on matters affecting women and children in the state and also to develop them.
She said it was the first time her ministry was organising such a programme for school children, but have not been losing sight on activities and programmes affecting them. "We believe creating awareness on HIV/AIDS must not be only by organising indoor programmes like workshops alone, but also on the streets too," she said. The commissioner noted that after this programme, the next audience should be orphans and women where symposium would be organised and train some of them on skill acquisition.
With a tender and motherly voice, Adefulire said, "My beloved children, HIV/AIDS is real, you are the future of our dear nation and it behoves on you to do all you could to minimise the scourge. Apart from inhibiting the socio-economic development of the country, HIV/AIDS has passed a big burden on the society by increasing the incidence of orphanhood, low life expectancy, the cost of medical care and killing people at their prime."
She explained that it was in realisation of these devastating consequences that led the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs to intensify efforts on the enlightenment and awareness campaign.
The commissioner said children were impressionable and as such, the earlier they were aware of the dangers inherent in HIV/AIDS the better for them. She said the need for children to be informed about the disease should not be overemphasised because they are seen as vessels of change in the society.
When asked if there has been any case of HIV/AIDS in the schools, Mrs. Elizabeth Adejuwon and Mrs A. Sholane, both of Ministry of Education, Lagos State revealed that there had been none. The duo noted that the impact of this seminar would be enormous as it would further create more awareness on the public.