The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has stepped up efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, the UNAIDS, has said.
This is contained in a statement issued by the UN National Information Officer, Mr Oluseyi Soremekun, on Monday in Abuja.
The statement said one of such efforts by Nigeria aimed at ending the scourge was to ensure its full participation at the upcoming UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on Ending AIDS.
The UN official said the meeting would take place in New York from June 8 to 10.
He said Nigeria’s preparedness was further enhanced by the official visit of the UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary-General of the UN, Michel Sidibé, to Nigeria recently.
The statement quoted the Director-General of NACA, Prof. John Idoko, as saying that the agency is working hard to ensure that Nigeria recognised the importance of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
“NACA recognises the importance of the upcoming High Level Meeting to the global goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. My team is working hard to ensure that Nigeria contributes to preparations for the meeting and that it is represented by the highest political leadership possible during the meeting.
“The upcoming meeting offers a timely and critical opportunity for the political leadership in Nigeria to help nurture the global partnership and cooperation that shall guide and monitor the AIDS response up to 2021 and beyond,” the statement read in part.
It said Sidibé, during his visit to Nigeria, explained the importance of the meeting to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
It added that the UN official appealed to the Federal Government to play a leadership role in the forthcoming meeting.
“He made similar appeals during meetings with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Eng. Babachir Lawal; the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, and that of Budget and Planning, Sen. Udo Udoma.
“He also appealed to the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, members of the National Assembly, the Director-General of NACA, the donor community, the private sector and the civil society.”
It also quoted UNAIDS Country Director for Nigeria and Focal Point for ECOWAS, Dr Bilali Camara, as saying that the world could defeat AIDS by 2030.
“It has become scientifically evident that the world can defeat AIDS by 2030 and that Nigeria can lead this global success,” Camara said.
The High Level Meeting on Ending AIDS would review the progress achieved in realising the implementation of the Political Declarations of 2011.
It would also review the successes, lessons learned, obstacles and gaps, as well as challenges and opportunities.
The meeting would adopt a new Political Declaration to guide the AIDS response until 2021.
