News
World AIDS Day 2023 Reminds History, Significance And Strategies to Lower Risk
World AIDS Day 2023 Reminds History, Significance And Strategies to Lower Risk
By:Babagana Bukar Wakil
World AIDS Day, observed on December 1st every year, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness about the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. It is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite and show support for those living with HIV, commemorate those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses, and advocate for increased efforts to prevent new infections.
The history of World AIDS Day dates back to 1988 when the World Health Organization (WHO) announced it as an official global health observance.
The day was established to provide a platform for governments, organisations, and individuals to raise awareness and take action against HIV/AIDS. It was the first-ever Global Health Day, and it marked an important step in the fight against the epidemic.
The significance of World AIDS Day lies in its ability to WORK bring attention to the ongoing challenges posed by HIV/AIDS and to mobilise support for related issues.
The day enables people to educate themselves and others about HIV transmission, prevention, testing, treatment, and the stigma and discrimination faced by those living with the virus.
Through campaigns, events, and community activities, World AIDS Day plays a crucial role in breaking down barriers, encouraging dialogue, and fostering understanding. We can also utilise this day by focussing on educating people on AIDS and lowering risk by following correct strategies. Keep reading as we share a list of tips you can follow to lower your risk of AIDS.
Practice safe sex by using condoms consistently and correctly during every sexual encounter.
Get tested for HIV regularly, particularly if you engage in high-risk behaviours or have multiple partners.
Limit the number of sexual partners and choose partners who have also been tested for HIV.
Avoid sharing needles or any other drug paraphernalia, as this can transmit HIV.
Consider pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if you are at high risk of contracting HIV. PrEP is a daily medication that can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
If you are HIV-positive, consistently take antiretroviral therapy (ART) as prescribed by your healthcare provider to lower your viral load and decrease the risk of transmitting the virus.
Educate yourself about HIV/AIDS and stay informed about the latest prevention strategies and treatments.
If you are pregnant and HIV-positive, seek prenatal care and take appropriate medications to prevent transmitting the virus to your baby.
Engage in open and honest communication with your sexual partners about sexual history, HIV status, and prevention strategies.
Support and promote initiatives that aim to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, as this can help increase awareness and encourage broader prevention efforts.
Furthermore, the day serves as a powerful reminder of the millions of lives affected by HIV/AIDS globally. It helps build solidarity with those living with HIV, honours the memories of those who have lost their lives, and supports communities and families impacted by the disease. World AIDS Day serves as a rallying call for increased awareness, funding, and action towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, as outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
World AIDS Day 2023 Reminds History, Significance And Strategies to Lower Risk
News
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
•••771 to Graduate in Nigeria in 2025
•••Otuaro Hails Scholars’ Performances
By: Michael Mike
Nine students awarded foreign post-graduate scholarships by the Presidential Amnesty Programme have graduated from their master’s degree rprogrammes in universities in the United Kingdom.
The successful scholars are the first graduates in the offshore post-graduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic session.
They graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, University of Dundee and The University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.
Also, 711 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.
The PAP, on Wednesday, 3 December, 2025, organised a graduation reception for the scholars in London.
Otuaro has congratulated them on their successful graduation, stressing that they completed their programmes in record time which shows the seriousness they had put into their studies.
He said they have justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.
“We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or post-graduate level”, Otuaro said.
He reiterated his unwavering commitment to expanding the scholarship scheme to create more opportunities for indigent students of Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.
Otuaro said it was for this reason he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session with 200 for foreign scholarships.
Otuaro has so far deployed 7700 students for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.
Within this period, also, he has also deployed 162 students from the region for post-graduate programmes in targeted disciplines in the UK universities.
According to him, this is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.
The PAP boss said, “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.
“We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
News
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
By: Michael Mike
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited has been incorporated to seamlessly allowed for the Refinery and Free Trade Zone in Ondo State.
A press statement on Thursday read that: “In furtherance of our commitment to the execution of these two major projects – Refinery and Free Trade Zone in conjunction with the Ondo State Government, the joint partners have taken another giant step by incorporating a joint company, namely – SUNSHINE JOINT VENTURE INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED – as the vehicle to be used in executing these projects. A move that further reinforces the sincerity of purpose and total commitment of the funding partners to move ahead together as a united front.
According to the release by Wale Adekola on behalf of the JV, the Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limitedwill, going forward serve as the vehicle to work with the Ondo State Government through the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) in the implementation of the executed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
The statement added that: “In moving the projects forward for implementation, the JV team met in Dubai to finalize the funding modalities and put in place structures and plans for the commencement of activities for ground breaking and community engagements. These initial activities are aimed at complementing the 50th Anniversary of the creation of Ondo State and the one year anniversary of the election of the Executive Governor of the Sunshine State, His Excellency, Chief Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa CFR.
At the Dubai meeting were key officers of the JV Company, including: Messrs SALEHI FARHAD; ZAHERI NAVID; EGHBAL KORDJAMSHIDI; SAHEED ZAHERI; DR. STEPHEN DIKE; HENRY OWONKA AND MRS. NAMVAR MARYAM.
The statement further informed that, plans have been concluded to mobilize the relevant contractors working with the locals and host communities to put up structures that will host the information center, architectural models to showcase the projects on offer and facilities that will serve the team. All these are being planned with ONDIPA to execute the relocation and accommodation of the host communities that are likely to be affected by the projects and create a seamless transition that will engender peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship with our host communities.
The JV company further reiterated its commitment to work with Ondo State Government (through ONDIPA) to change the infrastructural landscape of the Sunshine State and for mutual benefits.
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
Crime
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
By: Zagazola Makama
Seven suspected bandits were arrested along the Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State during stop-and-search operations, security sources confirmed.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, all Fulani youths, were intercepted after being offloaded from a truck at about 1800 hours on 2 December 2025. A search revealed pictures of assault rifles, including AK-47s, on their mobile phones.
Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed to have travelled from Adamawa State. Investigations are ongoing for the possible recovery of actual firearms and to determine their involvement in criminal activities.
Security agencies have urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements to help prevent criminal acts in the area.
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
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