Nigeria: Ex-Internationals Raise Awareness Against HIV/Aids Stigma, Discrimination

As part of plans to provide over 7500 persons across Nigeria with free HIV counselling and testing as well as reach over 3.5million people with information, education and communication, the Nigeria Red Ribbon Coalition organised a novelty football match recently to commemorate this year's world AIDS Day.

The HIV/AIDS awareness novelty match which was one of the headline events of the week-long outreach, held at the University of Lagos, (UNILAG) Sports Complex, Akoka, Lagos last Saturday and it attracted a crowd of soccer enthusiasts and stakeholders. The match offered an opportunity for people within the Yaba community to access free HCT, as well as receive up-to-date information about HIV/AIDS in a friendly environment.


The match was between Team ex-Super Eagles which featured former Nigeria internationals such as Ifeanyi Udeze, Taiwo Enegwea, Victor Agali and Abdul Issa; against Team Corporate, which included staff of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, YEDI, and NEPLWAIDS. Speaking at the event, the Director of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Clem Ugorji, reiterated the company's commitment to sustainable development of the communities in which they operate.

Ugorji said that, "We are one of the frontline companies that, over the past 10 years have invested significantly in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The essence of this program is to create awareness and more importantly, educate on how infected patients can manage themselves. It is an all-inclusive program which entails awareness, testing, counselling and continuous follow up treatment, if needed." Commenting on his involvement, Ex-Super Eagles Footballer, Taiwo Enegwea who participated for the third time in a HIV-related novelty match, noted that it was his way of contributing his quota as the world moved toward the eradication of the disease as well as the stigma.