Days before the celebration of Valentine's Day, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS or NACA, has called on Nigerians to play safe especially during the celebrations. As experts say, people would be more vulnerable during this time, which is why it is just but a great need to highlight the risks of transmission of the disease. Through the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Mrs. Toyin Aderibigbe, Head, Corporate Communication Unit of the agency, was found to have given the advice in a statement that has been made publicly available.
NACA's Advisory This Valentine's
In one of their statements reported by The News Nigeria Online, Aderibigbe has described the celebration as a season where people becomes more affectionate, and appealed for the need to share and show love responsibly. The corporate head has also added that by behaving responsibly, people would be able to have the ability to potentially stop and reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS in Nigeria. Additionally, she has highly emphasized the importance of being equipped with information and knowledge to ensure that Valentine's Day is celebrated by showing love to those we care about in a safe and responsible manner, especially to the young individuals.
Aderibigbe said that as the world celebrates love, the people should be mindful of the fact that safe sex is not just about protecting ourselves, but also protecting those we love. Furthermore, she was also quoted to have used the words from the Director-General of the agency, Dr. Sani Aliyu, saying that the day is a special day for love. It was found that long before, Aliyu has already explained that in the process of loving; love carefully, play safe and be faithful to your partner.
Play Safe To Stop HIV/AIDS Spread
Meanwhile, according to reports revealed by Premium Times, Mr. Aliyu also urged Nigerians to know their HIV status, stating that there are treatments available for anyone with the virus. He adds that if you are young and not sexually active yet, abstaining from sex will keep you safe from sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, otherwise, it is just but important for a person to protect himself by using a condom at all times. The said treatment will allegedly keep a person healthy and stop them from spreading the virus to other people, especially with their loved one.
