From USMAN MZ, Jigawa State.
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS NACA has empowered 180 people living with HIV/AIDS in Jigawa state on six income generating trades in order to become self reliant.
The Director General of the agency, Dr Aliyu Gambo stated this while presenting starter kits to the beneficiaries in Gumel local government area of the state.
According to him, the beneficiaries drawn from the 27 local government areas of the state were trained in Plaster of Paris POP, painting, interlock, barbing, confectionery and hair dressing.
Dr Aliyu Gambo further explained that the gesture was to enable them become self reliant and employers of labor.
He noted that by 2022, precisely in the next 18 months, HIV should be under control in Nigeria.
The Director General explained that, the agency had provided drugs and other medical supports to people living with HIV.
He further urged them to use the starter kits judiciously and contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of their community, the state and nation at large.
Dr Aliyu commended Governor Badaru Abubakar of jigawa state for responding to the agency’s need for collaboration, which led to the empowerment exercise.
The DG appealed for assistance in the fight against the disease by identifying people living with HIV, so they would be placed on drugs.
In his remarks, Governor Badaru Abubakar who was represented by Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Aminu Usman Gumel, commended the agency for the gesture.
He urged the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the items to achieve desired goals.
Badaru further explained that, the state government was working towards bringing the disease under control by providing drugs and test centres at its health facilities.
He said state government and traditional institutions were creating awareness among people about the disease, prevention and medication.
Also speaking, the state Project Manager of State Agency for the Control of AIDS SACA, Alhaji Ibrahim Almajiri, acknowledged that the programme was initiated to support people living with HIV towards self-reliance.
He commended NACA and the state government for the gesture.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to Radio Nigeria commended NACA for the gesture.