Corps Members Commended Over HIV/AIDS Campaign

June 24, 2008 :: Osa Okhomina,Yenagoa Leadership ,Abuja

State Co-coordinator of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Esther Chimele-Nwogbo, has commended corps members in the state for their efforts in educating adolescents and secondary school students on the dangers of HIV/AIDS. Chimele-Nwogbo, who gave the commendation in Yenagoa during a quiz / debating competition for secondary schools across the state, said " I must thank the Peer Education Trainers for their ability in transferring knowledge, which we have seen the students exhibit here by their performances." The Co-ordinator also charged the students to also impact same knowledge they have gained to others who may not have the same opportunity, particularly in the rural areas, adding that adolescents are more susceptible to contract the HIV/AIDS scourge since they fall within the easily influenced segments of society. She pointed out that it was the reason HIV/AIDS messages were targeted at adolescents to help them be on their guard. She expressed delight that most of the schools selected within the state turned up for the contest despite the difficult terrain, especially in the riverine communities, such as Ammasoma, Nembe and Ogbia. At the end of the keenly contested debate, which was at the instance of the NYSC, Federal Government Girls College , Imiringi came first, followed by Government Secondary School, Twon-Brass, while Community Secondary School , Biogbolo, Yenagoa came third. Similarly, in an exciting quiz section, the International Honours Academy, Kpansia emerged winners, Federal Government Girls College; Imiringi came second, while the Government Secondary school, Biogbolo, took the third position. Earlier, in a welcome address, the Schedule Office, HIV/AIDS office in Yenagoa, Mr. Emmanuel Uranta, urged the competitors to take the enlightenment programmes of HIV/AIDS seriously, so that they could help spread the message rather than the virus, saying the pandemic was a serious problem globally. Uranta challenged the students who are taking part in the competition to work hard so that they can win more laurels for the state at the zonal meet. He thanked the respective teachers for preparing the students for the contest. Source:allafrica.com