The Anglican Church and the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) are to collaborate with the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) in the drive to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Under the project tagged ‘Positive Living for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS,’ CEDPA would provide facility for the faith groups to support HIV/AIDS activities among families and communities in the country.

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and NSCIA are among leading faith based groups in the country that have initiated a holistic and practical approach toward combating HIV/AIDS.

The public launch of the Project took place in Abuja on Wednesday, March 21. It was flagged off with a solidarity walk around the metropolis.

At the launch, Bishop of Kubwa (Anglican Communion), the Rt Revd Simon Bala pledged the commitment of the Church to ensure care and support for persons living with HIV.

With a large geographical spread of 122 dioceses around the country, Bishop Bala said the Church’s response to HIV focused on community and parish based services.

‘As a church, we believe that God has a solution to every problem of man including HIV/AIDS,’ said the Bishop, who was represented by Dr. T. T. Wakama. 

National Coordinator of the Church on HIV/AIDS, Revd Sam Akale said the strategic plan and policy document of the Church of Nigeria on HIV was being followed and implemented to the fullest. 

‘We have reached a stage where Church Leaders at parish levels are providing more information and counseling about HIV/AIDS,’ he said and added that a national training workshop for 122 diocesan HIV/AIDS officers was scheduled to take place in June, ‘to take stock and set targets.'

‘The greatest achievement is that the Church in Nigeria is now addressing HIV from the pulpit and thus affirming God’s love and care for persons living and affected by the pandemic,’ Akale said.

Explaining the mode of operation for the Project, Mr. Arthur Hussey, and Chief of Party of CEDPA said ministers of religion, community leaders and youths would be trained and empowered about how to prevent the spread of HIV.

According to Hussey, the $12.8 million Positive Living Project was funded from the U.S Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the U.S Agency for International Development and CEDPA. The project will be implemented in 12 states in Nigeria but work has already begun in seven states including Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Edo, Kano, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). 

Article from: The Church of Nigeria – by Peter Onwubuariri