Vehicular movement halted as Edo CSOs marks International AIDS Candle Light Memorial

Candlelight procession

Stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Edo State trooped out in their numbers to mark the International AIDS candle light memorial procession in Benin City. The Processing drew out a marmot crowd of civil society actors drawn from The Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGOs), Network of Persons living with HIV and AIDS (NEPWHAN), Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) Edo State Agency for Control of AIDS, (EDOSACA) and other stakeholders who were all dressed in black and red with candles and banners for the procession.

CSOs laying candles at the Oba Ovhoranmen Square

Mrs Florence Igbinigie distributing free condoms to motorist in Benin city

The procession which halted vehicular movement in some part of Oba Ovoranmen Square, went round the square and other adjourning streets and Motor parks in a motor cave and later climaxed at Urhokpota Hall, with procession right which featured both Christian and Islamic prayers for the families of the departed; lighting and laying of guided candles around the procession banners, free distribution of over 15,000 male condoms to passersby and free HIV counseling and testing.

Speaking to the participants at the event, Dr Bright Oniovokukor State Coordinator of CiSHAN explained that the event has been organized to remember friends, colleagues and everyone who have lost their lives due to HIV/AIDS related illness and to encourage persons living with the virus on how to live positively. Stressing that those who are scared to do the free HIV test are most dengerous as there are drugs for persons Living with the virus. He also posited that there are many women who have been widowed by aids, and also children orphaned by aids that these persons are to be encouraged and supported not stigmatized or discriminated against. Hence the event has been put in place to encourage all and sundry to know their status and imbibe healthy lifestyles.

Free distribution of condoms

In a private interview with SILNETNEWS, Mrs Florence Igbinigie a former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in the State while speaking on the event stressed that the event is a yearly event that is marked all over the world in memory of persons who have died due to AIDS related illness as well as sensitized the populace on HIV/ Aids impact mitigation. Stressing that one way to halt the spread of the virus is through sustained campaign as well as encourage citizens to avoid risky behavior and negative lifestyle.

On government intervention on HV issue in the state, she also opined that there is urgent need for the government to increase their intervention in the state. She stressed that “while the country’s prevalence is 4.1, the state prevalence stood at 4.5 which is not encouraging. While the current government is focused on the development and industrialization of the state, they should take cognizance of the fact that investors are coming and people are going to be relocated into the state. Hence the urgent need to put strategies in place to curb further HIV spread

Also speaking Mr. Lawrence Ukponahiunsi, the South-South zonal coordinator of CISHAN, told SILNETNEWS that the event is set aside to remember those who are wasted by HIV and also to tell those living that HIV is still very much around and to also look for ways to support those living with the virus to continue to live positively

“Edo state has been consistent in marking the event for the past 7 years, no wonder the large turnout of persons who have come out to join the solidarity. We should all understand that HIV affect everyone in one way or the other, hence the need for all to come out and support efforts in ensuring prevention of HIV spread and care for those already living with the virus and also in making sure that a cure finally comes so that those living with the virus can heave a sigh of relief. While a lot is currently happening, a whole lot more still needs to be done to make sure the response is taken to another level.”

On the implementation EDOSACA Act especially the constitution of the EDOSACA Board, he stressed that the government is quiet new and needs to be educated to know what the implications are for the state, it opined that CiSHAN should continue to take the lead in that direction to ensure that the new government understand the importance and expressed optimism that once the government understands that there is a need for it, it would be implemented.