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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
ISWAP kills 10 JAS fighters in Kukawa as rivalry clashes escalates
By: Zagazola Makama
No fewer than 10 fighters of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) were killed on Jan. 8 during a night attack by the rival Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) at Dabar Ledda, within the Doron Naira axis of Kukawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that ISWAP fighters launched a surprise assault on a JAS checkpoint, locally referred to as an Irasa, in the Dabar Ledda area, overwhelming the position after a brief but intense clash.
Sources familiar with developments in the area told Zagazola Makama that the attack ended decisively in ISWAP’s favour, with about 10 JAS fighters killed. Following the operation, ISWAP elements were said to have withdrawn swiftly to their major stronghold located between Kangarwa and Dogon Chuku, also within Kukawa LGA.
Both group has, in recent years, focused on degrading each other’s capabilities in an attempt to consolidate control over key corridors around Lake Chad as well as Sambisa Forest.
However, the latest clash is expected to trigger a violent response. Intelligence reports suggest that JAS leadership, acting on directives allegedly issued by Abu Umaima, has ordered mobilisation of fighters across the northern and central parts of the Lake Chad region of Borno (LCRBA) in preparation for retaliatory attacks.
The planned counter-offensive could lead to an upsurge in large-scale attacks in the days and weeks ahead, particularly around the Kangarwa–Dogon Chuku corridor, an area that has witnessed repeated factional battles due to its strategic value for logistics, recruitment and access routes.
While the infighting has historically weakened Boko Haram/ISWAP overall cohesion, Zagazola caution that intensified clashes often come at a heavy cost to civilians, as armed groups raid communities for supplies, conscripts and intelligence. Kukawa LGA, already battered by years of insurgency, remains highly vulnerable whenever such rivalries escalate.
ISWAP kills 10 JAS fighters in Kukawa as rivalry clashes escalates
Troops foiled bandit attack in Sokoto, recovered rustled livestock in Gudu
By: Zagazola Makama
A bandit attack on Karfen Chana village in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State was successfully thwarted on Saturday evening, with security forces recovering all rustled domestic animals.
Zagazola report that the attack occurred at about 5:00 p.m. when armed bandits, described as Lakurawa, invaded the village and opened fire sporadically, stealing an unspecified number of livestock.
The troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA engaged the bandits in a gun duel, forcing the attackers to retreat towards the Niger border.
All the rustled animals were recovered and returned to their rightful owners. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported among the security personnel.
The troops have continued to maintain rigorous patrols in the area to ensure sustained security and prevent further attacks.
End
APC commits to free, fair primary election in Adamawa
The leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa in partnership with the party’s Unity Forum is committed to conducting a free, fair and credible primary election in the state ahead of 2027 general elections.
Mr Abubakar Hamma-Girei, Director General of the Forum stated this at a press conference in Yola.
He said that the forum would ensure that all Party members have an equal opportunity to participate in the process, and that the outcome reflects the will of the party faithful.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and all stakeholders for the remarkable achievement recorded in the country that makes opposition to join the party
“We understand the importance of maintaining the trust and confidence of our members, and we are working tirelessly to ensure that the Primary Election is conducted in a transparent and accountable manner.
“Let me assure you that there will be no imposition of the candidate, and that will be free from any form of manipulation or interference.
“We will uphold the principles of internal Democracy and ensure that the best candidate emerges to fly our Party’s flag in the forthcoming elections”, he said.
The DG urged all party members to participate actively in the primary election and to report any irregularities or concern to the relevance authorities.
“Together we build a stronger more united Party that will deliver for our great nation.
“We are calling on all Nigerians who are passionate about positive change and good governance we invite you to join the All Progress Congress (APC) family”, he said.
According to him,, the ongoing membership revalidation exercise is a unique opportunity for shaping the future of the great nation.
Hamma further said that the forum also resolved to support all APC candidates in the forthcoming Local Government election in the state.
“We are directed to intimate all our members across 21 LGA to give them adequate support they deserve”, he said.
APC commits to free, fair primary election in Adamawa
ISWAP kills 10 JAS fighters in Kukawa as rivalry clashes escalates
Troops neutralise eight terrorists in Kayamla, Sojiri villages in Borno
Zulum picks APC’s digital membership card
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