AIDS orphans get N6m lifeline

June 24, 2008 :: Onwuka Nzeshi,Abuja ThisDay,Lagos

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has raised N6 million in support of its Children and AIDS Programme in Nigeria. The fund, which was raised at the Emir of Katsina Charity Shield Polo Tournament will be channeled specifically towards the support of orphans and vulnerable children. Nigeria has an estimated eight million orphans, 930,000 of them were orphaned by the Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome which has ravaged the country for several years. Deputy UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Maman Sidikou disclosed that the Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS Campaign which UNICEF launched three years ago has become a major initiative in the fight against AIDS and its impact on children. He stated that the polo tournament and fundraising was therefore very important in the task of raising awareness to the plight of children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. He described the campaign as a call for action for all stakeholders to stop and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and beyond. "We must all act together in order to make a difference to the lives of our children, to prevent them from contracting HIV, to protect them from the burden the virus puts on their lives and their families and to provide care and support for those who are affected. We are now more than two decades into the pandemic and AIDS is still perceived as a problem mainly for adults. Children are the missing face of HIV/AIDS. They are missing from the statistics, they are missing the basic services and information they need to live healthy lives and they are missing their parents and becoming orphaned. "This campaign is especially important for Nigeria, which has the third largest population of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. Over four per cent of Nigerians are HIV positive. With the current population growth rate, the potential devastation to this country without effective action will be enormous," Sidikou said. The fund raising polo tourmanent organised by UNICEF in partnership with Fifth Chukker had in attendance dignitaries including the Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Usman; Emir of Zazau, Dr. Shehu Idris; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, Emir of Daura as well as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland