Rivers

Stopping HIV Infection By 2030 Still Long Way Off – ASWHAN

Published

2 years ago

August 6, 2024

Amid growing pessimism over whether Nigeria can meet the Joint United Nations Programme On HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) target of eliminating new HIV inffections by 2030, the Association of Women Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN) has said it would be difficult to attain the target in Nigeria, nay Rivers State.

The Coordinator of ASWHAN in Rivers State, Mrs. Fortune Kalio-Faladu, made this disclosure in an exclusive interview with The Tide, recently, during a meeting of key stakeholders involved in HIV prevention held in Port Harcourt, organised by the ASWHAN, in collaboration with the Coalition of Sex Workers Rights Movement (COSWRIM) in Nigeria.

She said, going by revelations from presentations and dicussions during the meeting, achieving the 2030 target would not be feasible, except more deliberate drastic actions are taken by stakeholders, particularly Government, at all levels.

“From our discussions today, we still have a long way to go. But I think if we, as stakeholders, and members of the State, particularly the government, can actually come to do what we have to do, in the right proportion and at the right time, we can still achieve the 2030 target”, she stated.

On the part of individuals, she said people would need to come out to ascertain their HIV status, and be on treatment, if they turn out positive, and those who are negative would have to abstain from habits that could make them positive.

“For those that are positive, they should be on drugs, because I know that once you take your drugs correctly and consistently over a period of time, you will be virally suppressed, and once you’re virally suppressed, you cannot transmit the virus”, she explained.

For stakeholders, she called for more all round commitment: to meetings, increase efforts to not only create awareness, but to also follow-up on drives to reach targeted vulnerable groups to HIV infection.

She also said beyond these, the Government has a greater part to play, if the 2030 tagget for zero HIV infection can be achieved.

A key way to do this, she said, is for the government to come up with a disciplinary group that would act as spy in order to enforce discrimination of HIV positive persons.

“The truth be told, when we talk about prevention, if I’ll be stigmatized and discriminated upon, I don’t think I will come out from my hiding. I’ll be in my house, possibly without taking the necessary drugs.

“But if the Government is there, and these positive persons are aware that they’re being protected, then they’re more likely to come out of their hiding, because they know they can get jobs for which they are qualified, and also attain societal status without discrimination”.

In her presentation at the meeting, titled, “HIV Prevention and Accountability: A Community Perspective, 2023”, the ASWHAN Coordinator delved into such areas as efforts made by Civil Societies Organisation’ (CSOs) in HIV prevention; and Progress against the 2025 roadmap for CSOs, which covered Evidence-driven assessment of HIV prevention programme needs and barriers, Precision Prevention Approach, country investment needs, HIV Prevention political leadership, community-led HIV prevention services, remove social and legal barriers, promote HIV prevention integration, new HIV prevention technologies, Real-time prevention programme monitoring, and Accountability for HIV Prevention.

Buttressing the stand of the ASWHAN Coordinator on the feasibility of the 2030 target and the way forward, the Communication Officer of the COSWRIM in Nigeria, Mr. Vena Daniel, re-echoed the need for more efforts by key stakeholders.

He said, “Based on our meeting today, I will say that we are still very far away from attaining that goal, because, looking at some of the laws and practices and fragmentations within the CSO movement, you’ll see that we’re still far away from it.

“For instance, it’s just today we’re realising that a unique group has been excluded from the HIV/AIDS implementation space, that is, people who are in confined space, such as correctional homes (prison), frequent travellers, such as drivers, Police, and other security personnels.

“Implementation has been going on over the years, but these groups have been neglected”.

He, therefore, suggested that given the present scenario, there’s the need to extend the target year to 2035, within which more deliberate efforts should be made in HIV preventive efforts, considering that it’s barely six years to 2030.

“If we can extent it to 2035, we can begin to consider it. But, for now, 2030 is not feasible. Looking at the level of work that still needs to be done, I don’t think by 2030 we can achieve zero HIV infection “, he emphasized.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Insecurity: Paramount Ruler Seeks Profiling Of Residents

Published

3 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

A Paramount Ruler in Rivers State, Nyenweli Elele-Alimini, in Emohua Local Government Area, Eze Peter Wagbara CP (rtd.), has called for the profiling of residents in his domain in order to forestall security threats and challenges.

The Nyenweli made the call at the weekend during the Ogbakor Elele Alimini 2026 first meeting held at their Kingdom Civic Centre in Elele, Alimini.

According to him, the step would help relevant authorities to keep tabs on residents and curtail criminality in the area.

The Paramount Ruler promised indigenes and non-indigenes living and doing business in the area of adequate security of their lives and properties.

“Inspite of the negative reports about insecurity in part of the country, I want to assure the people and residents of Elele Alimini of adequate protection of their lives and properties, hence the need for water-tight security throughout the nooks and crannies of Elele Alimini.

“Following the influx of people into Rivers State, particularly Elele Alimini right now, I want to charge chiefs and landlords in our kingdom to profile their tenants, religious leaders of the various faith-based organizations and commercial transporters in our domain”, Eze Wagbara said.

The retired Commissioner of Police stated that despite the violence and banditry in parts of the country, chiefs and elders as well as leaders of thoughts within his area would work closely to ensure peaceful co-existence among residents of Elele Alimini, adding that “it is one God, one Elele Alimini, and one destiny” under his reign.

He commended members of Elele Alimini Council of Chiefs and Elders as well as the CDC Chairman and the Youth President for their contributions toward the socio-economic development of the area.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Elele Alimini Gospel Ministers Forum (EAGMF), Apostle Hope Abikari, said there were a lot of churches serving God in Elele Alimini with different doctorines and practices and stressed on the need for confidentiality in handling of religious matters and related issues in the area.

“Eze Sir, I want to inform you that there are a lot of churches at Elele Alimini today serving God. In fact, this invite to religious leaders at Elele Alimini is very crucial. There is need to arrange for a fresh private meeting with religious leaders in Elele Alimini, which should be confidential. I suggest that a committee be set up to look into the activities of churches in Elele-Alimini”, he added.

He described Eze Wagbara as a Monarch who has the interest of his subjects at heart, and lauded Eze Wagbara and his Council of Chiefs, as well as members of Ogbakor Elele Alimini for their quality leadership in the kingdom.

On his part, the Chairman of Motor Cycle Operators Union of Nigeria, Elele Alimini Branch, Comrade Obuah Emeka, said members of the union who operate within Elele Alimini and Elele Okinali would render efficient services to commuters/passengers in the area.

Comrade Emeka explained that members of the union were not involved in crimes, noting that they do not constitute nuisance to the society.

He, however, promised to co-operate with the leaders of Elele Alimini in order to ensure safety within the area.

Rivers

KENPOLY Matriculates 4,350 Students

Published

3 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

The management of Kenule Beeson Saro Wiwa Polytechnic (KENOOLY), Bori, has matriculated a total of 4, 350 students into the 2025/2026 academic session.

The management said the matriculation ceremony is officially admitting students into various National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) courses in sciences, Engineering, Environmental and Management Technology, spreading in five different schools of the institution

Speaking at the event, the Acting Rector of the school, Dr. George Chile Wadike, told the matriculants that “the matriculation marks the beginning of a long and challenging, but fulfilling journey in your academic development. I implore you to be resilient, focused and dedicated to the primary reasons you are here”.

The polytechnic, Wadike said, “does not tolerate any form of indecency from students, social vices like examination malpractice, theft, cultism and other violences in any form, which attract outright expulsion.

“The Polytechnic is a place where you enjoy a lot of freedoms, but that freedom often comes with some corresponding obligations as your freedom ends where another person’s freedom begins.

“So, not only must you protect your rights, privileges and freedom, you must also ensure that you do not trample on the rights, privileges and freedom of Others.

“I, therefore, recommend that you emulate the examples of your mentors and lectures in self discipline, self care, good mode of dressing, fedelity to studies and work and general comportment so that you will not be found wanting.”

He continued that “Kenpoly is positioned to be a trailblazer in good governance, accountability and transparency within the firmament of Nigeria’s educational system.

“We have no doubt that this polytechnic is strongly positioned to solve some of the nations problems of unemployment by graduating not only self-employable youths, but also youths that are themselves employers of labour.”

He announced to the matriculants and parents that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has introduced a new intervention line with the Career Development Centers.

Wadike said the new intervention is purposely for the initiation, taking-up and continuous maintenance of Student Career Guidance.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Group Seeks Traditional Medicine Hospital Establishment In Rivers

Published

3 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

A group under the aegis of the Modern Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria (MTMPN), Rivers State Branch, has called on the state government to build a designated traditional medicine hospital in the state.

They said this will enable the state government actualise full realisation of its healthcare service delivery programmes and maximize the potentials of its members in the state’s health sector.

The State Chairman of the MTMPN, Eze Stanley Munoye Ogbu, made the call after the group’s general meeting in Port Harcourt, weekend, noting that the modern traditional medicine practitioners in the state are ready to partner with the government to contribute their own quota towards the development of the health sector.

Eze Ogbu, who is a member of the Rivers state government approved Board of Traditional Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM), urged members to choose area of specialisations and not be jack of all trade, while also exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in their practice, and conducting their operations in a clean environment.

The Onye Ishi Agwuru of Okehi Kingdom in Etche Local Government Area of the state hinted that a committee has been set up by the TCAM Board to clamp down on unlicensed practitioners and use the opportunity to call on the state government to invest in traditional medicine to boost revenue and create jobs.

Also speaking, the Chairman of MTMPN, Obio/Akpor LGA Chapter, Dr. Dede Temple Owhadah, said the association is training members on modern practices in order to improve their efficiency in the treatment of patients across the state.

He called on herbal and traditional medicine practitioners in the state to get trained and be educated in their areas of specialisation to remain relevance in the practice

Owhadah warned that the taskforce will go after unlicensed practitioners after the training period and urged governments at all levels to work with the registered professionals in their domain to flush out unqualified practitioners and to tap into the profession’s human resources to improve the healthcare delivery system in the state.

He stressed that members of the group are celebrated researchers who have manufactured certified drugs as cures for various diseases and ailments.

“What we are doing is that we are training and educating our members to improve on their proficiency and modern practices they desire to operate with. After this, we are going to come after those unqualified practitioners and clampdown on them across the entire state.

“Whether you are selling herbal medicine in the street, bone setters, or using any form of herbs and alternative medicine to treat people, we are going to shut such areas down without any recognised government approval at the end of the training session”, he stated

On her own. Dr. Gorgeous Chinyere Adichie commended the group for the education and training of their members to update them with the needed professional experience in the practice.

By: Akujobi Amadi