News
Stakeholders On HIV Seek Law To Criminalize, Stigmatization, Discrimination
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Stakeholders on HIV/AIDS pandemic in Kogi State have called for the enactment of a law to protect individuals living with HIV (PL-HIV), prevent stigmatization, discrimination and enhance realization of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 Targets.
The stakeholders made call at a One-day Stakeholders Capacity Building Meeting on Proposed Kogi State Anti-Stigma/ Discrimination Bill Campaign Project on Thursday in Lokoja.
The capacity building was organized by Initiative for Grassroots Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA) with support from Aids Health Foundation (AHF).
Part of the objectives of the proposed legislation is to achieve the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UN-AIDS) 95-95-95 targets towards ending HIV as a Public Health issue by 2030.
In his opening remarks, Hamza Aliyu, Executive Director, INGRA, said a lot of factors culminating from heightened stigma and discrimination were militating against realization of the 2030 deadline.
He described the UN-AIDS as a joint venture of the United Nations harnessing the efforts and resources of 11 UN system organizations to unite the world against AIDS through advocacy for accelerated, comprehensive and coordinated global action on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Aliyu said call for the legislation had become imperative in view of the fact that available data had shown that Nigeria is among countries not currently on track to reach those targets if urgent and cogent actions are not implemented.
One of such cogent actions, according to him, is the institutionalization of legal frameworks for the promotion and protection of the right to privacy and protection and dignity of Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) in particular and citizens in general.
He said that the Bill would provide a legal framework to protect individuals living with HIV, prevent discrimination and integrate HIV services into the public health system to ensure privacy and access to care.
The INGRA Executive Director queried why PL-HIV are to not accorded same treatment as other human beings saying it is discriminatory to asked HIV status in job employment, admission into schools and other engagements.
He said that the law would be domiciled in the Office of the Public Defender because it’s about rights, it’s about citizens’ participation and citizens’ protection of rights and dignity.
In his goodwill message, Dr Sheidu Yunusa, Executive Secretary, Kogi State Agency for Control of AIDS (KOSACA) said stigmatization and discrimination had the potency to destroy all the efforts being made to end the HIV scourge.
He reiterated the need for domestication of the HIV Act and legislation for its enforcement and the drive towards the UN-AIDS 95-95-95 targets saying that KOSACA as an agency of government was to see to the working of the HIV response platforms through provision of services
The KOSACA Executive Secretary applauded the efforts if the Civil Society Organizations at holistically addressing the HIV pandemic and pledged the state government’s stance to sustain the services even after the exit of the CSOs.
Also in his goodwill message, Pharm. Bernard Akpa, Associate Director, Kogi State Program Center for Integrated Health Program (CIHP) said efforts so far made had failed to meet the UN-AIDS 95-95-95 Directive emphasizing the need to adopt new strategies.
Akpa said that a survey carried out in 2019 placed Kogi State on 0.9% all inclusive of HIV prevalence meaning that almost 1% of the more than four million population of the State are likely to have or already have HIV.
“We need to identify those people using the 95-95-95 UN-AIDS directive to place them on treatment and ensure that they are virally suppressed so that they don’t transmit to other people and if at all we must achieve that, we must do things differently”, he said.
Programe Officer with INGRA, Abdulfattah Ayuba in his Programme overview explained that, for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Kogi State, the fight against the virus is compounded by a pervasive and harmful realities of stigma and discrimination.
This deeply ingrained prejudice according to him, is being helped by legal lacuna which leaves PLHIV vulnerable to discrimination in crucial areas like healthcare, employment, and education.
“Consequently, the state faces significant challenges in achieving the UN-AIDS 95-95-95 Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals related to health and wellbeing”, he said. (Ends)
**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.
The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..
Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.
But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit
However, the chairman,
Media Committee of the
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate.
“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.
“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively.
“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public.
the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024
The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.
2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.
SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.
As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.
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