Date: 2021-07-16

Kwara state government has donated cash to selected 80 beneficiaries among People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the state.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Thursday during the presentation of cheques to the people, the project manager and executive secretary of the Kwara State HIV/AIDS Control Agency (KWASACA), Dr Alabi Seleem Babajide, said that the beneficiaries were selected from the 16 local government areas of the state.

"Today is one of the interventions we normally do as an agency which is to take care of people who are living with HIV/AIDS. We all know the economic realities in Kwara today and of course, with the advent of COVID-19 that has ravaged the whole world especially in Nigeria, we have now coined out a programme and intervention to take care of the poor, the sick and the needy amongst the PLWHA in Kwara state. And the government of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq has deemed it fit to cater for this select group of people and we are taking care of, with this intervention, about 80 selected poor and needy among the PLWHA in Kwara state who are given a cash donation of N10,000 each, cutting across the 16 local government areas of the state. We are here today to officially commence the event and to present cheques to the beneficiaries of this initiative", he said.

The KWASACA project manager, who said that the agency has the mandate to control activities that have to do with the control of HIV/AIDS in Kwara state, under the chairmanship of the deputy governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, added that the intervention for the PLWHA "focused directly in terms of support for the people. This programme is financial support and because of the exigency of time; the festival is approaching, and our people are ravaged because of COVID-19, this is an apt time to make the programme happen so that the financial support will go a long way to help them."

Also speaking, the state deputy governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, enjoined the people to always take care of themselves by eating a good and balanced diet, as well as their medication.

He also advised them to contact the KWASACA on areas of their need to ensure they are well and good.

While appreciating the government on behalf of his colleagues, the Coordinator, Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Kwara state, Mr Fadesere Ademola, said that "We're appreciative of efforts of the state government at making life comfortable for us. Especially as far back as 2019, and particularly this one being extended to us. We pray to God to make this government continue to record success. What we're given would go a long way to help us, especially in this particular period of high inflation.

He, however, lamented that the people are faced with the challenge of stigmatization in the society, "especially in our communities and among relations.

"I only encourage my colleagues not to be discouraged. I know it's not that easy. They should feel free and relate well with other members of society. They should take good care of themselves, follow laid down instructions and take their drugs regularly to live long."