Governments at all levels have been called to show strong political will towards stopping the spread of HIV/Aids.
An Adviser with the Joint United Nations Program on HlV/AlDS, UNAIDS, Dr Murphy Akpu made the call at the opening ceremony of a five day Media Training on HIV coverage for selected Senior Journalists and Editors across the country organized by the Henry Jackson Foundation, Medical Research International, PEPFAR Nigeria, Living Health, and Journalist Against Aids Nigeria.
The training is holding at the Sheraton Hotel Lagos state. Akpu stressed the need for transparent use of resources deployed by donors in the HIV response programs.
Dr Akpu maintained that there is still work to be done to control the new HIV infections that are increasing among Adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa, disclosing that with innovations, anti-retroviral drugs and access to treatment, carriers can now live a normal life while advocating for the integration of HIV with other ailments than specializing the virus to deal with the issue of stigma and discrimination.
He called for the examination of the consumption of hard drugs by young people which he also blamed on the new increase in HIV infections.
Also speaking the country Coordinator of PEPFAR Nigeria, Tunmi Adesanya represented by Mrs Nnenna Onyemaobi described media as critical stakeholders in the fight against HIV/Aids through evidence-based information and reportage.
He assured that the PEPFAR Nigeria will continue to be at the forefront of the fight towards stopping stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/Aids as well as tackling the new infections.
According to him, achieving zero HIV infection has become necessary to build a healthy future for our children and a free society.
In her remarks, Mrs Olayide Akanni and Dr Adebayo Gbenga of living Health pointed out that the workshop was aimed at providing journalists with updates on HIV response, progress, and challenges, grooming a community of practice of media responders, as well as effective communication to address the challenges.
Correspondent lfeanyi Ogbonna who is attending the training reports that the opening ceremony attracted the presence of critical stakeholders in the HIV/Aids response in Nigeria.
