To mark 2025 Worldwide Condom Day (ICD), The AIDS Healthcare Basis (AHF), a non-profit worldwide organisation has taken an consciousness marketing campaign to Lokoja, Kogi State capital to spotlight the significance of condom use and lift consciousness about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Dr Onyeyili Ikemefuna, Kogi State Coordinator of AHF Nigeria, Thursday said that the roadshow was a part of the actions marking Worldwide Condom Day 2025, noticed globally on February 13.
He defined that the marketing campaign aimed to advertise safer intercourse practices, scale back stigma, and equip younger folks with the data to make knowledgeable choices about their sexual well being.
“The day goals to coach folks in regards to the dangers of STIs, unintended pregnancies, and the significance of utilizing condoms to forestall these dangers.
“It’s noticed simply earlier than Valentine’s Day to remind folks that love ought to be accompanied by accountable and protected sexual behaviour,” Ikemefuna stated.
He inspired younger folks to embrace condom use, emphasising that it was important for safeguarding towards STIs and stopping unintended pregnancies.
“Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and folks will have interaction in intercourse whether or not we prefer it or not.
“We will’t cease them, however we advise condom use as a result of it’s higher to be protected than to hunt remedy,” he added.
Ikemefuna additionally talked about that AHF Nigeria had produced sufficient condoms, which have been being distributed at no cost as a part of the marketing campaign.
Dr Folashade Ayoade, Secretary to the Kogi State Authorities, who joined the marketing campaign, counseled AHF Nigeria and different stakeholders for the initiative.
She inspired folks to make use of condoms, stressing that it remained an efficient choice for triple safety: stopping HIV, STIs, and unplanned pregnancies.
Mr Steve Aborishade, Advocacy and Advertising and marketing Supervisor at AHF Nigeria, underscored the necessity to promote condom use, particularly amongst younger folks, to fight the rising charges of STIs.
“We all the time inform them to abstain, however we realise many can’t, and that’s why we’re seeing a rise in STIs, together with HIV/AIDS.
“With the theme ‘Kuku Use Am, No Shake Physique,’ we’re concentrating on younger folks to advertise condom use, which might defend their desires,” he stated.”
The occasion included a well being discuss on STIs and an indication on tips on how to correctly use condoms.
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) experiences that the roadwalk kicked off on the Ministry of Well being, passing by way of Put up Workplace and FEN Junction, and concluded on the Federal College Lokoja (FUL) Andankolo campus.
AHF operates in additional than 46 nations, offering cutting-edge HIV care and advocacy, no matter an individual’s means to pay, and advocating for insurance policies that profit the HIV neighborhood.
