The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, has urged all Nigerians to use the occasion of Valentine’s Day to get tested for HIV.
With the day symbolizing love and togetherness, especially Dr young people, Dr. Aliyu believes that it presents an opportune moment to prioritize one’s health and well-being.
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By knowing their HIV status, individuals can take the necessary steps to manage the virus and prevent its spread.
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in celebrating Valentine’s Day, it is important to remember the importance of taking care of oneself and one’s loved ones.
He highlighted the significance of knowing one’s HIV status as a crucial step towards preventing, treating, and managing the virus.
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Speaking in Abuja, Dr. Aliyu stressed the need for all Nigerians, particularly young people, to prioritize expressing love within the context of caring for their loved ones, in order to protect them from harm and reduce their vulnerability to HIV/AID to sexually transmitted infections.
His remarks underscored the importance of being aware of one’s health status, particularly on the occasion of Valentine’s Day, as an opportune time to prioritize one’s health and well-being.
“This occasion though significant in the lives of people globally, brings a lot of cause to worry about, as the expression of love, especially among adolescents, youths and other diverse populations most often falls out of context.
“This period is observed to witness a high rate of indiscriminate sexual activities and other amoral behaviours that lead to uninformed decisions among many. This development most often than not exposes many people to a high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections.
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“As we express love for our partners during this Valentine’s Day, remember to love wisely. As members of a wider society your health and productivity count to your nuclear and extended families and the entire country.
“Nigeria stands to benefit from the pool of your contributions. So I urge you to desist from practices that might expose you to risks of contracting HIV/AIDS and/or other sexually transmitted diseases as we commemorate these special days. Once again I urge you to love wisely, share love, and not the virus”