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  • NIBUCAA launches ‘Love Is Safe Project’, provides free HIV testing

    NIBUCAA launches ‘Love Is Safe Project’, provides free HIV testing

    The Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS, (NIBUCAA) recently launched the ‘Love Is Safe Project’  in communities thereby encouraging the use of condoms and encouraging regular HIV/AIDS testing and counseling.

    This edition was launched in Lagos at the University of Lagos and Abuja at Kobi community.

    In Lagos, NIBUCAA collaborated with the Anti-AIDS Club of the University of Lagos to sensitize 3,000 students on basic facts about HIV and other STIs, prevention strategies, and care.

    A total of 414 beneficiaries from the university accessed free HIV testing services.

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    While in Abuja, about 17,000 residents of the Kobi community, Guzape Extension, Abuja were adequately sensitized, a total of 587 beneficiaries from the community accessed free HIV testing services, and 4 people who tested positive were appropriately referred for treatment and support.

    The Senior Programs and Evaluation Officer, Opeyemi Yekini, NiBUCAA Abuja noted that there was still palpable fear among young people, about knowing their HIV status.

  • NIBUCAA promotes safe love, provides free HIV testing services

    NIBUCAA promotes safe love, provides free HIV testing services

    By Omolara Akintoye

    The Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA) has launched ‘Love Is Safe Project‘ in communities encouraging the use of condoms and regular HIV/AIDS testing and counselling.

    This edition was carried out in two vibrant locations: Lagos (at the University of Lagos) and Abuja (Kobi community)

    In Lagos, NiBUCAA collaborated with the Anti-AIDS Club of the University of Lagos to sensitize 3,000 students on basic facts on HIV and other STIs, prevention strategies and care.

    A total of 414 beneficiaries from the University accessed free HIV testing services.

    While in Abuja, about 17,000 residents of the Kobi community, Guzape Extension, Abuja were adequately sensitized, a total of 587 beneficiaries from the community accessed free HIV testing services, and 4 people who tested positive were appropriately referred for treatment and support.

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    The Senior Programs and Evaluation Officer, Opeyemi Yekini, NiBUCAA Abuja noted that there is still palpable fear among young people, about knowing their HIV status.

    “There is still a lot of fear circulating among young people about knowing their HIV status; however, with the appropriate level of sensitization and assurance, the fear will gradually ease off. We also noticed some concerns associated with HIV stigma, considering the conversations encountered during sensitization and community mobilization. More work needs to be done, and NiBUCAA is at the forefront of making this a reality,” he said.

    In addition to the free HIV screening services, NiBUCAAs’ “Love is Safe” campaign also organised an Instagram challenge.

    Couples were invited to share beautiful photos of themselves accompanied with captions expressing their commitment to safe love practices.

    Omomii82 emerged as winner of the challenge, and will be treated to an all-expense-paid dinner with her partner on a weekend, courtesy of the NiBUCAA “Love is Safe” campaign.

    The Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) leads over 30 businesses in Nigeria with a commitment to fight the HIV and AIDS pandemic at all levels of intervention within the health system and the private sector workforce.

    Some of these organisations includes the Access Corporation, the Dangote Group (represented by The Aliko Dangote Foundation), Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, DMG Events, the Shell Companies in Nigeria, amongst others.

  • NiBUCAA partners Access Holdings, provides free HIV testing services

    NiBUCAA partners Access Holdings, provides free HIV testing services

    As part of its “No Gree for HIV” campaign, The Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) partnered Access Holdings Plc to provide free HIV Testing Services and counseling at the just concluded Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

    Over 10,000 persons were screened for HIV and received counseling across eight selected communities: Surulere, Ijora, Ajegunle, Igando, Lagos Island, Lekki Phase 1, Berger/Ojota, Apapa Road and the finish line of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon- Eko Atlantic- all in Lagos State.

    Screening activities led to the discovery of 14 new cases while some patients were actively noted as receiving treatment and support. Additionally, 13,000 condoms and 5000 informational materials were distributed, further contributing to HIV prevention and safety efforts in the region.

    “We are always proud to partner with Access Holdings to drive HIV/AIDS awareness and testing across the country,” said Tosin Akinrinade, NiBUCAA’s Programs and Evaluation Officer. 

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    “Access Holdings remains at the forefront of integrating Sustainability; the delivery of social, economic, and environmental value in its business philosophy, and NiBUCAA is proud to be part of these efforts.”

    Mr. Gbefun, a resident of Iponri community, was very excited to be a recipient of the free screening services, counseling, and condom distribution. “This is the first time I am being tested for HIV in the 45 years plus of my existence,” he said, lauding the organizers, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to access such essential services within his community. 

    Collaborations with the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), HIV Trust Fund of Nigeria (HTFN), Nigeria Youth Network on HIV/AIDS (NYNETHA), Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN), and Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) expanded the campaign’s outreach, promoting HIV containment, vital practices for health management, and safe sex practices through the distribution of condoms and informational materials.

    NiBUCAA remains committed to serving as a vehicle for Nigeria’s private sector to channel and deploy resources to support the National HIV/AIDS response and calls on more businesses, individuals and associations to stand together, lend their voice, support, and passion to this vital cause.

  • NiBUCAA takes HIV&AIDS advocacy to corporate organisations

    NiBUCAA takes HIV&AIDS advocacy to corporate organisations

    To eliminate HIV&AIDS by 2030 and support healthy living in workplaces, the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) has visited Nestlé Nigeria Plc to seek its cooperation.

    Advocacy, one of the pillars of the coalition, is a strategy for reaching member-companies to enhance the implementation of health-based programmes that will boost workforce productivity in corporate organisations.

    NiBUCAA Executive Secretary  Gbenga Alabi, praised the organisation for its support to the coalition since 2004.

    He congratulated Mrs. Victoria N’dee Uwadoka on her appointment as Nestlé Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Manager.

    Mrs. Uwadoka then urged the coalition to redefine its focus on HIV and AIDS and other complementary health programmes.

    She said: “As a responsible corporate player, Nestlé Nigeria is committed to maintaining a healthy enabling environment for our workforce. We actively promote and support healthy living in line with our purpose, which is enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future.  We are open to explore areas of collaboration with the coalition where relevant to support our objectives.”

    In another development, NiBUCAA also  visited the head office of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nig.) Limited and lauded the organisation’s support for the coalition, assuring that more value-driven programmes would be made available.

    “Over the years, Dantata & Sawoe has been very supportive to the goals of the coalition. With your support, we have carried out a couple of programmes centred on healthy lifestyles that have improved the effectiveness of employees in the workplace.

    “This year, we’re focusing on the facilitation of insightful programmes that will act as supplement to programmes in the workplace. The 90-90-90 global target set by Joint United Nations Programme on HIV&AIDS to eradicate the epidemic by 2020 will receive increased support. Commitments from member companies will make these programmes achievable,” Alabi said.

    Dantata & Sawoe Executive Director, Nasiru Dantata, affirmed the organisation’s continued partnership with NiBUCAA to bring health benefits to its workforce with sustainable enlightenment programmes and campaigns.

    Dantata said: “NiBUCAA has positively impacted its members with thoughtful, insightful campaigns and programmes to boost the quality of lives of workers in industries and organisations. We’ll continue to work assiduously with NiBUCAA to facilitate programmes that will better the lots of our workforce and improve their wellbeing.”

  • NIBUCCA seeks healthier workplace

    NIBUCCA seeks healthier workplace

    The Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCCA) has called on corporate Nigeria to rededicate itself to fighting HIV-AIDS and other work place health challenges.

    In a media release to mark its 15th anniversary,  it said though the fight against ill health in the workplace had not been totally won, NIBUCAA and its partners had made great strides against HIV/AIDS in its first 15 years, adding that it was time to consolidate on that good record.

    The coalition also lauded its founding fathers, its present managers and its 32-member partners, scattered all over the country, saying the achievements of the last 15 years could not have been possible without them.

    But it added that it was time to give the cause a further boost.

    Founded on 15 February 2003, after a breakfast meeting between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and high level corporate leaders, NIBUCAA was then established as a company limited by guarantee with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2008.

    Its first co-chairmen, Dr. Pascal Dozie, then of Diamond Bank and Jay Pryor of Chevron Nigeria, emerged from that meeting, with President Obasanjo urging them to be the drivers of the private sector, in a collaborative effort, with the Federal Government, to tackle the HIV/AIDS challenge in the workplace.

    They were succeeded by the second co-chairmen, Dr. Hebert Wigwe, MD/CEO of Access Bank and Nicholas Terraz, MD/CEO  of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd, who took over in 2015.

    NIBUCAA recalled that the coalition came into existence when there was high level of HIV-AIDS stigma and victimization of workers; but added that with its constant seminars, trainings and other programmes, such negative tendencies were coming down, with a better impact on the bottomline.

    Due to its enlightenment efforts too, it has been able to generate greater awareness among the general public, so much so that the incidence of HIV had been better managed.

    Announcing NIBUCAA’s latest strategic plan, Advocacy, Innovations, Partnerships and Impact Investment, the coalition calls from greater drive and better cooperation among its present partner-members, while calling on new members to join to make the workplace more health-friendly for workers.

     

  • Total Upstream, NiBUCAA take HIV/AIDS campaign to Lagos schools

    Total Upstream, NiBUCAA take HIV/AIDS campaign to Lagos schools

    To increase awareness on the universal health coverage goal and commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day, Total Upstream companies in Nigeria and Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) have launched a campaign for secondary schools in Lagos State.

    The campaign is aimed at helping youths – secondary school pupils to develop life skills that will enhance healthy behaviours, empowering the girl-child with skills on family life education, and equipping them with information on reproductive health-related issues.

    At the event at Dairy Farm Secondary School, Agege, Managing Director, Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Nicolas Terraz: “The theme for the World AIDS Day is: right to health. At Total, we cannot agree more. Just as all children have a right to education, we all also have a right to health. HIV/AIDS disease has been a great dilemma globally over the past decades. It is a concern that, up till now, the prevalence rate remains high due to the negligence and ignorance of the public.

    “The truth about HIV/AIDS is that it is not only a health challenge, but it is a developmental challenge as well because young people suffer the most infection rates. And as long as young people are the worst affected by the epidemic, the prospects for Nigeria remain bleak.”

    Terraz added: “The youth have a great role to play in heightening awareness and the prevention of this pandemic. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), prevention is not only better than cure, but cheaper and prevents complications.’’

    Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Gbenga Alabi, called for more efforts in ending HIV by 2030.

    “Every December 1 presents us with an opportunity to reflect on how far we have gone in addressing the challenges of HI/AIDS pandemic. Hence, the school setting provides a great opportunity in shaping students’ behavior and their thoughts.

    “Recent prevention gaps have identified the need for all countries to intensify efforts in HIV response  to end AIDS by 2030. The universal and inalienable right to health provides everyone with the right to realise the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination or stigma. Though HIV and AIDS is still very much around, but together the path towards winning the fight is bright if we can tailor the response to individual/group needs in our various programming.”

    Justifying the need to engage the pupils, Alabi said adolescents are victims of rising HIV-related deaths. He urged the pupils to join the Anti-AIDS Club to be established at Dairy Farm Secondary School, Sanngo Senior Secondary School and Keke Senior Secondary School.

    “Adolescents are the only age groups where AIDS –related deaths are rising daily occasioned by sexual exploitation, abuses and sometimes subjected to rape and other sexual violence. This school based project will empower students with reproductive health related information, empowering the girl-child with assertive skills as well as life building skills. In addition, anti-AIDS Club will be established in the beneficiary schools for reasonable coverage, effective participation and sustainability.”

    HIV and AIDS tool kits were presented to the beneficiary schools- Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School, Sanngo Senior Secondary School and Keke Senior Secondary School all situated in Education District 1 of the state.

    At the event were officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health led by Mrs. Adeyoju, Mr. Ayodele Adeyemi of Education District 1, where the beneficiary schools are located, representatives of Technical Partners to Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited – NAPIMS, Petrobras, Sapetro and CNOCC – principals and teachers of the beneficiary schools.

  • NACA , NiBUCAA partner

    NACA , NiBUCAA partner

    The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) have collaborated on determining the statistics of the prevalence of HIV in Nigeria.

    This was made known when the NiBUCAA Executive Committee led by Dr. Gertrude Bassey,  visited NACA Director-General Dr. Sani Aliyu in Abuja.

    Aliyu said another target his agency was determined to achieve is Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) which has been achieved by other countries; and the sustainability of HIV and AIDS programming in Nigeria. He stated that foreign donor fund has reduced and the 12 percent budgeted by the Federal Government was grossly inadequate coupled with the challenges in the release of the fund.

    Aliyu noted that sustainability of HIV programming in Nigeria wass centred around collaboration with the private sector of which NiBUCAA has a prominent role. He expressed delight with the inauguration of the NiBUCAA new co-chairs, stating that NACA was looking forward to collaborating with them.

    He said sustainability would be achieved if the private sector could partner with government and set up a fund to be managed by the sector for transparency and accountability.

    He said  if funds were put together, it would be easy to procure commodities and distribute to state and private hospitals where patients can have easy access to treatment,saying with such synergy,  goals will be achieved in no time. On implementation of HIV programme, he agreed that the private sector will implement the setting up of the Trust Fund, procurement of commodities and distribution.

    NiBUCAA representatives assured that the purpose of the meeting was to explore greater collaboration under the new agency strategic focus and agreed on greater collaboration and synergy for efficiency, accountability and transparency.

  • Dozie, Wigwe others for NiBUCAA roundtable

    Chairman MTN Nigeria, Dr. Pascal Dozie and Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, will be leading business leaders from different organisations in the country to a special roundtable by NiBUCAA on Wednesday at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos by 10am.

    The Technical Officer, Prevention and Mitigation, Family Health International (FHI360), Dr. Olabisi Olaogun, will deliver the keynote speech tagged: ‘Basic Nutrition: Tips for Healthy Living and Maintaining Healthy Living and Work-life Balance.’

    In a statement at the weekend, Acting Executive Secretary, NiBUCAA Gbenga Alabi, said: “We look forward to very engaging deliberations towards promoting a work-life balance for professionals in the Nigerian workplace.”