The Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN) has cautioned students and other adolescents against premarital risky behavior and urged them to promote awareness on HIV prevention.
The CISHAN Sokoto State Coordinator, Mr. Muhammad Garba, gave the advice on Thursday in Sokoto during a sensitization programme to commemorate the 2025 World AIDS Day.
World AIDS Day, marked annually on Dec. 1, is observed globally to raise awareness about the dangers of HIV and AIDS and to proffer ways to support people living with the virus.
The theme for the 2025 observance is “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” which calls for sustained political leadership, international cooperation, and a human-rights-centred approach to ending AIDS by 2030.
Garba cautioned students against risky behavior and emphasized the need for increased awareness about the virus.
He appealed to the Sokoto State Government to ensure prompt approval and release of funds, and urged the media and community organizations to intensify sensitization efforts.
He also stressed the need to sustain progress in the fight against HIV through increased budgetary allocations and timely funding for relevant agencies.
According to him, expanded resources would improve HIV testing and treatment services, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Garba further highlighted the importance of tackling social and economic determinants such as poverty, stigma, and discrimination, which continue to fuel the HIV epidemic.
He noted that students and adolescents were a priority group due to current HIV statistics and their active involvement in social activities, urging them to adopt preventive measures.
The Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Leprosy (SOSACAT), Mr. Kabiru Umar, said the state had achieved the 95-95-95 HIV control targets covering diagnosis, treatment, and viral suppression—an important milestone in combating the epidemic.
Umar said the 2025 theme reflected renewed hope for Sokoto State and those affected by HIV, highlighting progress made despite previous disruptions.
In her remarks, the Vice Principal of Federal Government College, Sokoto, Mrs. Aliyu Haruna, thanked CISHAN for bringing the sensitization to the school, noting that it broadened students’ understanding of HIV and other related diseases.
The School Head Girl, Onoh Eucharist-Chinenye, commended the organizers and expressed optimism that the knowledge gained would help students protect themselves.
The event featured a drama presentation, lectures, and discussions on HIV prevalence, modes of transmission, and general counseling.
