Protocol

I am extremely delighted to be here this morning in Lagos at Families ALIVE International, to participate in the launching of a new program designed to heighten awareness of the deadly consequences of HIV/AIDS now ravishing many countries around the world.

Recognizing the global HIV/AIDS pandemic as one of the greatest health challenges of our time, president George Bush announced in 2003, The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest international Health initiative in history by one nation to address a single disease. Nigeria is one of fifteen (15) focus countries of the emergency plan, and has received $70.9 Million in FY 2004 to support a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care program.

Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS coordinator, U.S. government agencies implement the emergency plan, working collaboratively as strong interagency country teams directed by the U.S. Ambassador.

These teams capitalize on the expertise of each U.S. Agency, and create partnerships with host governments, multilateral institutions, non governmental organizations and the private sector to implement effective programs for combating HIV/AIDS and ensure efficient use of government resources.

This is precisely the reason why we are here today, ladies and gentlemen; to set in motion, a train of events to be undertaken by Families ALIVE International, which would add their voice to the chorus of desperate pleas to residents of this state, especially the youth of this state.

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, from the very beginning, has recognized that to implement an effective strategy, our approach must be based specifically on what works for the culture and in the circumstances of each place where we are working, and groups we are targeting.

Abstinence works; Being faithful works; Correct and consistent use of condoms work. Each has its place in the arsenal of weapons unleashed to fight this disease.

The experts have already told you of the high prevalence of this disease here in Lagos, particularly its impact on the youth; you have also heard of some of the programs under the PEPFAR umbrella which provides early diagnosis and treatment, counseling, anti-retroviral drugs, programs to prevent mother to child transmission, among others. These services are provided by highly specialized local and expatriate professionals, working closely with local, state and federal agencies.

The public affairs office of the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria is also an important line of defence in this battle. We provide grants to organizations such as the one we are launching today to come up with culturally relevant messages to heighten awareness, seek behavioral change and reduce and eventually eliminate the stigma which attaches to this dreadful disease. We encourage traditional and/or religious leaders to re-think the relevance of cultural and traditional practices which spread HIV/AIDS. We provide the seed money to produce and air dramas, skits and messages of every conceivable kind which reaches every corner of Nigeria clearly conveying the awareness and behavioral change messages.

I have no doubt that the good people of this community and particularly the youth and parents will make good use of the information this centre will be providing. We will be closely monitoring the results of the campaign and quantitatively measure the impact these series of messages is having on the target audience.

I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to the Government and people of this state for their willingness to cooperate with us in the battle to fight this disease.

We have no illusion that the way ahead will be an easy one, since social change is a slow and gradual process. We are however confident that with determination and hard work and an increase in HIV/AIDS prevention activities, there will be dramatic and positive implications for the cause of this epidemic not only here in Nigeria, but worldwide.