AHF Sensitises Kogi Residents On Sexually Transmitted Infections, Advocates Condom Use »

By Stephen Adeleye

A non-profit international organisation, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), has carried awareness campaign on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the importance condom use.

Speaking after a roadshow on Thursday in Lokoja, the Kogi State Coordinator of AHF Nigeria, Dr Onyeyili Ikemefuna, said the roadshow was part of activities to mark the International Condom Day 2025, celebrated globally on every Feb. 13.

According him, the AHF Nigeria is using the day to raise awareness, promote safer sex practices, reduce stigma, and empowering young people with the needed knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their sexual health.

“The day aims to educate people about the risks of STIs, unintended pregnancies, and the importance of using condoms to prevent these risks.

“It is observed just before Valentine’s Day to remind people that love should be coupled with responsible and safe sexual behavior,” Ikemefuna said.

He, therefore advised the populace especially the young people not be shy from using condom, to ensure they protect themselves from STIs and prevent unwanted pregnancies.

He added: “Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and people are going to have sex whether you like it or not; and you can’t stop them from having sex.

“But we are advising the people to use condom because it is better to be safe than looking for treatment and cure.

“We have enough condoms produced by AHF Nigeria and we are distributing them to the people free”.

On her part, the Secretary to Kogi State Government (SGS), Dr Folashade Ayoade, who also joined the campaign, commended the AHF Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders for the initiative.

Ayoade urged the people to use condoms saying it remains a trusted and highly effective option for triple protection: preventing HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancies.

Also speaking, Mr Steve Aborishade, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Nigeria, stressed the need to popularize condom use especially among young people in order to prevent the increasing rate of STIs.

“We always tell them to abstain, but we realized that a lot of them could not abstain, and that is why we are having an increasing rate of STIs including HIV/AIDS among the population.

“That is why the AHF Nigeria is promoting the use of condom which is cheap, easily accessible, prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancies, if used consistently and correctly all the time.

“Today, with the theme: ‘Kuku Use Am, No Shake Body’, we are targeting young people to promote condom use because it can prevent so many things including protecting their dreams.

“It is so crucial that we formalise condom use as a form of prevention; there should be no stigma about using condom to protect ourselves against STIs,” Aborishade said.

The highlight of the occasion was the health talk on STIs and the demonstration of the proper way of using condom.

The event was organised by AHF Nigeria in partnership with Kogi State Ministry of Education, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), NGOs, partners and other relevant stakeholders.

The road walk kicked off at the Ministry of Health of and transverse through Post office, FEN junction, and terminated at Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Andankolo campus.

AHF operates in over 46 countries, including the United States, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, serving millions of patients worldwide.

AHF’s mission is to provide cutting-edge HIV care and advocacy, regardless of a person’s ability to pay, and to advocate for policies that benefit the HIV community.

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