News
Two African Social Media Influencers Living with HIV to Address UNGA

Two African Social Media Influencers Living with HIV to Address UNGA
By: Michael Mike
Two young social media influencers living with HIV with the support of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) are on their way to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Summit of the Future in New York to urge world leaders to partner with them in the response to HIV.
The two, Ibanomonde Ngema from South Africa and Jerop Lima from Kenya, according to a statement on Thursday by UNAIDS, will call on leaders to invest in youth-friendly health systems, provide holistic services for young people living with HIV, and to partner with young people and communities, allowing them to lead in the response to HIV.
Executive Director of UNAIDS. Winnie Byanyima said: “Young people’s powerful and vibrant activism has driven so much of the progress made in the HIV response,” adding that: “They know what works for them. It is essential for leaders to listen to them to understand the specific challenges that young people face and how those challenges can be overcome. Leaders can only successfully plan how to end AIDS and sustain the advances made by partnering with young people living with HIV.”
The young Kenyan HIV activist. Jerop Limo, said: “I am representing not only the voices of 1.5 million Kenyans living with HIV but all people living with HIV,” adding that: “I want leaders to leave New York knowing that we are not beneficiaries, we are equal rights holders. We have a voice, we have skills and expertise and we need an equal playing field where our data is valued, where our input is valued and where our voices are heard. We want meaningful and ethical engagement of adolescents and young people in all spaces of the AIDS response.”
According to the statement, young people, especially adolescent girls and young women, are disproportionately affected by HIV. Globally, 44% of all new HIV infections were among women and girls (all ages) in 2023 and every week 4000 young women and girls around the world are infected with HIV—3100 are in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2023, some 3.1 million adolescents and young people (15-24 yrs) were living with HIV—1.9 million were adolescent girls and young women.
Ibanomonde Ngema, a young South African AIDS activist, said: “Governments meeting here in New York cannot end AIDS alone. They need to involve us to find solutions. We have lived experiences of HIV, from treatment to mental health, because we navigate life with HIV every day. We need to be included in policymaking so that we can take full ownership of ending end AIDS as a public threat,”
He noted that: “The world can only benefit when young people are included in the global HIV response. No conversation about HIV should take place without us, from policy to practice in communities.”
The safety decried that too often young people report facing stigma and discrimination, including from doctors and healthcare workers, when they access sexual and reproductive health and HIV services. This discourages them from seeking support and crucial information about their health, putting them at risk of HIV infection or of defaulting on treatment for those who are living with HIV.
The statement added that young people living with HIV play a critical role in the fight against AIDS in communities. They offer support and share important information about HIV that schools or parents might not talk about. They also challenge stigma and discrimination through social media, helping to save lives and encourage young people to stay on treatment.
It also added that they drive innovation in communities, for example, a self-funded project by the Youth Empowerment Group uses e-bikes to deliver antiretroviral medicines, food and adherence support to young people who often cannot attend clinics because their schooling hours conflict with clinic opening times in Namibia.
However, their transformational work is being held back because it is not being sufficiently supported. Youth-led HIV responses often operate with little or no financial and political support. At the UNGA the two young people will call on world leaders to fully support and fund their work. They will also urge leaders to uphold the human rights of young people as key to ending AIDS as a public health threat—they will call on them to protect young people’s right to healthcare, education, freedom of speech, and to provide social support to young people living with HIV.
Jerop Lima said: “Providing treatment is not enough, young people living with HIV need an education and they need a job to survive,” adding that: “We need to be seen as equal contributors and partners, and we need investment to allow us drive change. We are the leaders of the future and we need to be included now to help shape a better future for us all.”
Two African Social Media Influencers Living with HIV to Address UNGA
News
AGANBI RESTATES AKOGATE’S DEDICATION TO HIGH STANDARDS OF TRANSPARENCY AND QUALITY

AGANBI RESTATES AKOGATE’S DEDICATION TO HIGH STANDARDS OF TRANSPARENCY AND QUALITY
· SAYS NEW BENCHMARKS FOR FOOD ITEMS, WATER MANUFACTURING AND SOLAR INSTALLATION SET IN NIGERIA
By: Our Reporter
The Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Felix Aganbi, on Sunday highlighted the company’s commitment to the Nigerian market.
“Since our establishment in 2006, we have made significant strides in the field of solar systems innovation and installation, catering to both governmental and private sectors. Our accomplishments extend beyond solar energy, as we have also excelled in the realm of food and water manufacturing”
At a meeting with retailers, distributors, hospitality leaders and chefs in Abuja, Aganbi expressed his pride in Akogate’s products and the group’s commitment to delivering only the best.
‘’Akogate offers a variety of products including Akogate Still Water, Ajimele Oil, Akogate bleach and liquid soap, Akogate herbal teas and Akogate melon seeds and crayfish. We provide services in civil engineering, construction, and solar technology’’.
Aganbi spoke on Akogate’s success, strong demand of the products and activities in key international markets.
“We have seen tremendous demand for Akogate products like cassava fibre chips, peanut, seafood, and various types of leaf products like scent leaf and bitter leaf. We’ve also seen tremendous demand for Akogate’s melon seeds (Egusi), crayfish, bleach, liquid soap and herbal teas in Nigeria and abroad’’
He highlighted Akogate’s passion for energy and the group’s commitment to bringing light to communities.
‘’We are a leading brand in Solar and food processing. Through our specialized services, we have played a significant role in the development of solar energy technology in Nigeria, working alongside our partners. Our commitment is to make a positive impact on people’s lives whenever and wherever possible’’.
Driven by a vision to create globally appealing products that reflect contemporary tastes while staying rooted in authentic Nigerian identity, Akogate, according to Aganbi, is redefining the agriculture and food processing sector in Nigeria.
‘’In the past few years, we have made significant investments to enhance and add value to the agriculture and food processing sector. This mission aligns with our expanding vision over time. As a result of our efforts, Akogate Still Water has emerged, exceeding expectations and setting new supply chain records in Nigeria. Presently, we proudly offer the highly sought-after Akogate Ajimele Palm Oil, which boasts unparalleled and remarkable health benefits. Our processed and neatly packaged Sea Foods, The Shrimps, Crayfish and Periwinkle are also best-selling’’.
Aganbi said, “Akogate echoes the growing demand for refined products among consumers in Nigeria and abroad.
‘’Akogate, an electrical, mechanical, and process design company, is the first indigenous organization in Nigeria to introduce the revolutionary Sunmaster Smart Leaf solar Light. The group focuses on solar technology installation, construction, maintenance of solar panel systems and pumps’’.
The business mogul reiterated Akogate’s dedication to the highest standards of transparency and quality
‘’Our concept ensures that lighting is 6pm-6am to guaranty safer road and street, and clear vision all through the dark’’
End
Crime
Father kills 18-year-old daughter in kano

Father kills 18-year-old daughter in kano
By: Zagazola Makama
A 60-year-old man, Adamu Mohammed, has allegedly killed his 18-year-old daughter, Zainab Adamu, during a domestic altercation at their residence in Dawakin Dakata Quarters, Kano.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the tragic incident reportedly occurred around 5:00 a.m. on Monday, when the father struck the young girl with a hard object, leaving her unconscious. A concerned resident raised an alarm about two hours later, leading to swift action by members of the community.
The sources said that the scene was promptly visited by the police. The unconscious victim was rushed to Sir Sunusi Specialist Hospital, where she was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
The remains of the deceased have been released to her family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Police sources said that the suspect has been taken into custody while investigation is ongoing to determine the motive behind the act.
Community sources described the incident as deeply shocking and called for increased awareness and intervention to address the rising cases of domestic violence, particularly those involving family members.
Father kills 18-year-old daughter in kano
News
Yobe invests 4 billion USD in agriculture

Yobe invests 4 billion USD in agriculture
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Yobe state government has already invested over four billion dollars ($4B) in agricultural programs across the 178 communities in order to boost food security in the state.
Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, disclosed this today while distributing agricultural inputs to 1,000 farmers, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), from Mandunari town in Gujba LGA at the Government House, Damaturu.
He revealed that Mandunari remains the only ward in the state that has yet to be resettled, adding that government commitment to ensuring the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of all IDPs by investing in infrastructure.
“Government in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation to support an additional 2,000 farming households with agricultural inputs in three local government areas, namely, Damaturu, Tarmuwa, and Geidam,” Buni said.
Governor Buni revealed that smallholder farmers will also receive training in climate-smart agriculture and animal husbandry; in addition, 1,000 farmers trained by the Ministry of Livestock Development under the Durable Solutions Programme will also get grants to sustain their livelihoods.
“Dry season farmers will also receive water pumps with a view to improving their farming of onions, tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce, and others.
Yobe invests 4 billion USD in agriculture
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