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Continuous Discrimination of HIV/AIDS Undermines Intervention, NACA, UNAIDS Insist

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Continuous Discrimination of HIV/AIDS Undermines Intervention, NACA, UNAIDS Insist

By: Michael Mike

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have called for an immediate stop in stigmatization of HIV/AIDS, lamenting that this has continue to undermine interventions across the HIV prevention, treatment and care continuum and constitute key human rights barriers to ending the scourge.

The group which addressed a joint press conference on Tuesday in Abuja noted that Today marks a significant milestone ni Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and to promote the dignity and rights of al individuals living with, affected by or at risk of HIV and AIDS.”

They lamented that an estimated 1.9 million persons are living with HIV and AIDS, decrying that: “HIV-related stigma and discrimination, in all their forms, continue to undermine interventions across the HIV prevention, treatment and care continuum and constitute key human rights barriers to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. People living with HIV and communities most at risk still face stigma and discrimination at all levels – in their homes, communities, workplaces, within
health services, educational establishments and at policy level – impeding access to their basic human rights.”

They said as Nigeria joins the Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination all hands must be on deck, noting that: “Evidence from the Nigeria People Living with HIV Stigma Index Survey 2.0 Report revealed that 2% of respondents have experienced stigma and discrimination. 10.9% of the respondents reported experiencing human rights abuse. Among those whose rights were abused, only 1 in 4 persons sought redress. 40.8% of those who did not seek redress reported the reason for not acting was because they were unaware of where and how to seek redress. 5% of those who did not seek redress were of the opinion that justice si a distant goal, while an additional 12% reported that they feared seeking redress might result ni HIV status disclosure.

“Help translate political and human rights commitments made at global, regional and national levels toward the elimination of HIV-related stigma and discrimination into action at country level. Establish, strengthen and revitalize partnerships among stakeholders to implement and scale-up programmes toward ending all forms of HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

“Continuously generate and disseminate evidence-based data to inform policy and programming, to measure progress, and to support accountability toward the elimination of HIV-related stigma and discrimination.”

Speakers at the event in commemoration of the zero discrimination day and rhe official launch of Nigeria’s membership,m emphasised the need to address deep-seated prejudices that fuel discrimination.

They agreed what kills people is not the virus, but the way society looks at them, highlighting cases where children have been expelled from school and workers denied employment due to their HIV status.

The partnership focuses on five key areas: healthcare, education, workplaces, justice systems, and community settings.

With Nigeria now on board, stakeholders are expected to push for stronger implementation of the HIV/AIDS anti-discrimination law, which makes it illegal to deny employment or services based on HIV status.

The stakeholders admitted that the journey ahead will however not be easy because though laws exist, enforcement remains weak, and cultural biases persist hence advocates are stressing that real change will require widespread public education, legal reforms, and increased political will.

Continuous Discrimination of HIV/AIDS Undermines Intervention, NACA, UNAIDS Insist

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Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

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Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

By: Zagazola Makama

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.

Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.

Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.

Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

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Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

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Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa

The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.

The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.

He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.

“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.

Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.

“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.

He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.

Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.

Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.

“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.

He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.

Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

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NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

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NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.

He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”

He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.

He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”

Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.

He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.

He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.

He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.

He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.

He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

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