Obasanjo commends Goldmark, HIV kid activist

March 20, 2007 :: Sola Ogundipe,Lagos Vanguard,Lagos

For her efforts in creating awareness on the HIV and AIDS pandemic, as well as her desire in making sure that the national and global goals set for the pandemic are achieved by the year 2015, in accordance with the Millenium Development Goals (MDGS), Goldmark Owoola - Adeojo, a kid activist and HIV and Aids educator was recently commended by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Goldmark, a JSS2 student who is preparing to take her campaign against HIV and AIDS to Rwanda , was visiting the President to seek his intervention on making children more involved in the anti-Aids campaign, utilizes open discussion and arts to create awareness.

In her speech, Goldmark during the courtesy visit to the President in appreciation of his acceptance to be openly screened for HIV on World Aids Day 2006, said the time has come for children to openly and join the adults in the crusade of wiping out the epidemic.

While thanking the President, she acknowledged the challenge of coming out openly for testing.

"HIV and Aids has made more than 15 million children to become orphans and this is mainly in Sub-Sahara Africa. Worse still, UNICEF reports say by the year 2010,the figure would rise to 18 million. The sadness of this is that people 25 years and below are worst hit, and these are the leaders of tomorrow.

"Where lies the labours of our elders when we children who are the salt of the nation and leaders of tomorrow are dying before their eyes? But in order for their labours not to be in vain, something must be done on time. We should not wait until all of us are HIV positive before we do something for those living with HIV and Aids as well as those orphaned by it Those who are not sure of their status should try as much as possible to emulate the President by going for voluntary test today. A stitch on time saves millions".

Welcoming Goldmark who just turned 12 last Feruary 28, the President, who also marked his birthday on the same day, was highly elated and impressed about the talent exhibited by Goldmark. Describibg her as a worthy Ambassador, he promised to assist her work on the many projects being embarked upon by her and her organization known as Live Alive Foundation.

"I am happy and impressed that Nigeria and Africa and the world at large is having a gifted and wonderful child like Goldmark who at the age of twelve has not just traveled worldwide to create awareness on HIV/Aids prevention education, treatment etc, but making it a priority to seek for international leaders intervention while making case for orphan and vulnerable children in one side. Her versed knowledge of HIV and Aids is overwhelming. Most adults don't even know one quarter of this."

While thanking Goldmark for noticing his desire to come out publicly and be screened for HIV, the President stated that the move was imperative because he needed to set an example for others not bold enough to come out.