As the global community marked the 2023 World AIDS Day, the Ibani-Se HIV/AIDS Initiative has converged stakeholders in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State around community led action to checkmate the spread of HIV and AIDS.

December 1st of every year is dedicated to raising awareness about efforts being made in the fight against the human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) across the globe.

At the event held on Friday, December 1, 2023, at the Ibani-Se Hall, Akiama, Bonny, stakeholders, including the Bonny Kingdom institutions, security and law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, among others indicated a consensual approach to combating the spread of the virus.

In her Welcome Address, a member of the Ibani-Se Initiative Board of Trustees, Maggie Igoni reiterated that the annual World AIDS Day aims at drawing “attention to what is being done to checkmate the HIV/AIDS scourge”.

She informed that the Ibani-Se Initiative was set up 17 years ago as a partnership between Bonny Kingdom and the Joint industries committee (JIC) comprising the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited (MPNL), appealing for support from all stakeholders.

On her part, the Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor at the Rivers State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Macarthy Osuo-Genseleke, PhD stated that this year’s theme emphasizes the need for community leaders to take the lead in efforts at curbing the spread of HIV and AIDS.

Commending the efforts of the Ibani-Se Initiative, so far, she disclosed that from inception to date, the Initiative has counseled and tested 61,830 males and 77,309 females with 2,313 males and 4,444 females testing positive, and 4,993 person receiving treatment from the scourge.

The Bonny Kingdom Development Committee (BKDC) through its member, Lolo Hailsham, reiterated its commitment to sustained support for the fight against HIV/AIDS, especially, the Ibani-Se Initiative, pointing out that the influx of people into Bonny Island comes with inherent challenges which include health issues.

Hailsham stated that ignoring the reality of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is suicidal, urging all concerned to rally around the efforts at containing the spread, admonishing those infected or affected not to despair but embrace treatment regimens to survive and thrive.

Speaking, Woman Leader of Bonny Kingdom, Helen Pepple raised alarm over the proliferation of drugs, indecent dressing and other aberrant behaviour, asserting that these are aggravating factors to the spread of HIV/AIDS, counseling young people to “zip up”.

In his goodwill message, the Chief Imam of Bonny Central Mosque, who was represented by Abdulaziz Ibrahim appreciated the coming together of stakeholders to raise awareness on the issue of HIV and AIDS, saying that the Muslim Ummah in Bonny “support and extend our goodwill to those infected, affected and impacted”.

He urged stakeholders to commit to fighting the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS, predicating the progress made so far in the prevention, treatment and care of the infected and affected on the dedication of countless individuals and organizations involved in the fight, commending the Ibani-Se Initiative for sustaining the hope which he said was “shining in the darkness”.

In their various goodwill messages, representatives of the Nigerian Navy, Lt. Commander M.K. Bello, and the National Drug Law enforcement agency (NDLEA), Ayim Ogar advised against unprotected sex and other unsafe sexual behaviour, pointing out that drug addiction and abuse are catalysts for unsafe sexual activities.

In attendance were the President, Bonny Kingdom Titled Citizens Assembly; Furosia Wilcox, representative of the NLNG Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development; Chinyere Anurukem, Project Manager, Bonny Community Health Insurance Programme (BCHIP); Ernest Ikem, representatives of the Divisional Police Officer, Bonny Division; Nkoyo Ekpenyong; Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); James Udoh, and Bonny Malaria Elimination Project, Ann Isoje.

Highpoint of the event were cultural performances, playlet, drama and dance by students of the various secondary schools represented.