By Isaiah Eka 08039185152

A Non Governmental Organisation, AHF Nigeria, has taken its anti HIV/AIDS campaign and advocacy training to Nnung Udoe in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

Dr Ekemini Essien, AHF Coordinator in Akwa Ibom, said at the closing of the two-day event, that participants were trained on HIV/AIDS prevention, detection and treatment.

He said that the programme was also used to train community-based people on advocacy strategies and access to HIV/AIDS services.

”We also trained the participants on how to identify and provide completely free quality service at the community level,” he said.

The coordinator said that during the training, participants were grouped in terms of age and other indices to form advocacy teams.

”The essence is to deepen awareness of our activities and their needs to the community, the participants are now equipped to play this role,” he said.

Essien said that the community advocacy group would build the capacity of community members to play critical roles in the campaign against HIV/AIDS.

He said that AHF Nigeria was also offering support to Tuberculosis sufferers in the areas of index case findings, awareness and access to treatment.

”Our target is to have community actors themselves responding to issues in their own community.

”We shall spread out, from here we shall move to other areas recruiting supporters and offering services,” he said.

Speaking to NAN, Eteidung Etim, the Village Head, Mbikpong Ikot Edim, commended AHF Nigeria for setting up the advocacy group in the community

Etim, also the Chairman of the community advocacy group, pledged the group’s commitment to embark on an aggressive HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in the area.

”We commend you for establishing an advocacy group in our community. We see it as a good onen.

”We shall use our local channels to effectively relate your message to our people,” he said.

Another group member, Miss Redeem Eyo, said that the advocacy training had given her the opportunity to know more about HIV/AIDS.

Eyo, an indigene of Mbierebe Akpawat in Ibesikpo Asutan, said that the advocacy training had equipped her with skills to reach out to others in the community. (NAN)

Edited by Azubuike Okeh