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CCN Advocates Law to Combat Stigmatization of HIV/AIDS Patients in Nigeria
The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has advocated enactment of laws that would make the stigmatisation of people living with HIV/AIDS a punishable offence in Nigeria.
The CCN’s President, Most. Rev David Onuoha, said this in his opening remarks at the opening of a three-day training on HIV self-stigma and life building skills for vulnerable communities in Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
The training organised by World Council of Churches in collaboration with CCN is with the theme: “Your Mind is a Treasure. Keep it from Negative Ideas”.
Onuoha, urged those in this condition to assert themselves and move on with their lives as self-pity and withdrawal from active social life would not help them.
He said, “We must encourage those in this condition to assert themselves and move on with their lives as self pity and withdrawal from active social life will not do them any good.
“To inspire hope and confidence in them requires a concerted effort. In this situation, they should like King “David encourage themselves in the Lord his God” (1 Sam 30:6-8).
“They should always learn to say “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
“We strongly advocate for the enactment of enabling laws that will make stigmatisation of people living with HIV/AIDS a punishable offense in Nigeria.
“There is therefore, no basis for stigmatising our brothers and sisters who live with it because they are no less human, less able and capable of fulfilling their destiny in life.
“Again, the virus is not infectious nor is it transmitted through hand shake, eating together, playing together,” he said.
In her remarks, Gracia Ross, who represented World Council of Churches (WCC), Switzerland, said the programme was focused on addressing HIV self stigma among young people.
“I have lived with HIV for 23 years and I have never transmitted HIV to anyone. People are afraid because of the transmission and sometimes they are stigmatised because of this.
“Nowadays we have so much information and as such we do not understand why is there still stigmatisation in the world.
“This meeting is to discuss this and to do things together between the Christian Council of Nigeria and young people living with HIV. And to eradicate HIV self esteem,” she said
Kaduna state Governor Uba Sani declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will continue to dominate the state, saying it would soon become a one-party state.
The Governor disclosed that about four members of the House of Representatives from the opposition parties had decamped to the APC, adding that members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly from different zones had also decamped to the party.
Governor Uba Sani, who spoke at Zaria on Monday, argued that the defection of opposition members to the APC “is a good sign, and that shows that we are doing something positive; we are carrying everyone along in Kaduna state.”
House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas distributed 117 vehicles, comprising 20 Hilux, 2 ambulances, 20 18-seater buses, 50 Sharon vehicles, and 25 sedan/saloon cars (Golf, Corolla & Peugeot 406). At the same time, 200 tricycles, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, and 1,000 motorcycles were given to various beneficiaries.
At the event, Governor Sani praised Speaker Abbas, saying that Kaduna State and the entire country are proud of his stewardship. He added that the laudable projects he was interested in in the state had his blessings.
In his address, Speaker Abbas thanked his constituents for their continued support and noted that he would do his best to attract people-oriented projects to them.
The electricity power generation companies (GenCos) have warned that the over N4 trillion unpaid invoices owed by the federal government and stakeholders for electricity generated threatens their operations.
In a statement on Monday, signed by Sani Bello, chairman of board of trustees, Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), the GenCos asked the federal government and key stakeholders to urgently address the issue.
According to the association, the issue is currently threatening the continued operation of their power generation plants.
“It is no more news that the power generation companies (GenCos) have continued to bear the brunt of the liquidity crisis in the Nigerian Electric Supply Industry (NESI),” the statement reads.
The association said they have made large-scale investments and have continued to demonstrate commitment by increasing capacities that align with their contract, spanning over 10 years.
The GenCos said expectations of being settled through external support such as “the World Bank PSRO has also been dampened due to other market participants’ inability to meet their respective distribution linked indicators (DLI), enshrined in the Power Sector Recovery Program (PSRP)”.
Moreso, they said the 2024 payment collection rate dropped below 30 percent, and “2025 is not any better, severely affecting GenCo’s ability to meet financial obligations”.
“Tax and Regulatory Challenges: High corporate income tax, concession fees, royalty charges, and new FRC compliance obligations are further straining GenCos’ revenue,” the GenCos said.
“Outstanding Payments: GenCos are currently owed about N4 trillion (N2 trillion for 2024 and N1.9 trillion in legacy debts). No possible solutions, including cash payments, financial instruments, and debt swaps, are in sight.
“Budget Allocation Concerns: The 2025 government budget allocates only N900 billion, raising concerns about its adequacy to cover arrears and future payments.”
Furthermore, the group said that liquidity challenges are further worsened by the various policies introduced.
As a result of the policies, the association said “no one is under pressure to ensure GenCos invoices are fully settled”.
“The implication of this is that GenCos only get paid a portion of their invoices (9%, 11%) from whatever amount is left,” the association said.
The GenCos demanded immediate implementation of payment plans to settle all outstanding GenCos invoices.
“Reprioritization of payments under the waterfall arrangement to give full priority to a hundred percent payment of GenCos’ invoices as at when due. A clear financing plan to backstop the exposures in the NERC’s Supplementary Order to the MYTO and the DRO 2024,” the association said.
They also requested the provision of payment security backed by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to guarantee full payment to GenCos to enable them to meet their critical needs, ensuring adequate generation and expansion.
The GenCos urged the federal government to liberalise the market to create confidence and ensure the viability and creditworthiness of the power sector.
Also, the association demanded “full effectiveness of all market agreements, firm monitoring, and enforcement of the rules by the regulator on all market participants”.
In light of the severity of the issues, the GenCos requested that immediate action be taken to prevent national security challenges due to their failure to sustain Nigerians’ steady electricity generation.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) says the money received from Rivers state government for the 2025 annual general conference (AGC) was a “gift”.
A statement issued on Monday by Emeka Obegolu, chairman of the AGC planning committee, said the legal body did not sell the hosting rights for the conference.
Earlier, the Rivers government, under the leadership of Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator, asked the NBA to refund the N300 million allegedly paid for the “hosting rights” of the conference by the state.
The government said if the NBA was truly anchored on principles, it should demonstrate it by returning the money.
The decision of the state government came after the NBA moved the AGC from Port Harcourt in Rivers state to Enugu.
The association premised its decision on “constitutional violations” in Rivers following the declaration of emergency rule in the state by President Bola Tinubu in March.
Responding to the comment of the Rivers government, the NBA said there was no bidding process or payment before the announcement of Rivers as the host of the conference.
The NBA explained that due to the huge cost of organising the conference, the legal body approaches individuals and state governments for “unconditional” support.
“We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights,” the statement reads.
“The host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the Conference must be held in a chosen city.
“Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organizations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested for is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.
“Recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organizations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA.
“Such financial supports are in the form of gifts, partnerships or sponsorships. The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC.”