As the global community mark World AIDS Day 2025, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), held an HIV-awareness sensitization programme for students at the Assembly Ground of Okpanam High School, Okpanam.
Dwelling on the theme “Overcoming Disruptions; Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” the Zonal Secretary of NAWOJ, Comrade Eunice Emeyazia, reminded the students that stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles to ending AIDS. She said journalists will continue to use the power of the media to promote truth, compassion, and community action. Comrade Emeyazia urged the students to reject myths and discrimination, adding that “every person deserves dignity and access to healthcare without fear.”
The Chairman of APWEN, Eng.. Stella emecheta, told the students that empowering young people with accurate knowledge about HIV is one of the strongest tools for prevention. She urged them to become ambassadors of healthy lifestyle choices, even as she encouraged more girls to take interest in science and engineering, as their voices and innovations are vital in strengthening the health system.
Also speaking, The Principal of Okpanam High School, Mr. Williams Dickson, applauded the groups for choosing the school for the sensitization programme, emphasized that such engagements help strengthen moral values, discipline, and the overall safety of learners.
Similarly, the Vice Principal, Examinations, Mrs. Augustina Terre, described the sensitization as timely, noting that adolescents face increasing exposure to misinformation.
Speaking on behalf of his peers, the Senior Prefect, Okoro Henry, thanked NAWOJ and APWEN for the awareness campaign. He said the session had corrected many misconceptions students previously held about HIV. Henry promised that students would share the knowledge with others and work together to create a stigma-free school environment.
Meanwhile, a new UNAIDS report Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response warns that international HIV response has suffered its most significant setback in decades due to sharp reductions in international funding, adding that millions could be left without essential prevention and treatment services.
As global funding shrinks and prevention services face disruption, NAWOJ and APWEN say educating young people remains critical to sustaining progress and ensuring no community is left behind.
