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Akute Grammer School Emerged Winner of an Anti HIV/AIDS Debate Competition, From Adeola Ogunlade
Related to country: Nigeria

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Akute Grammer School Emerged Winner of an Anti HIV/AIDS Debate Competition

A public secordary school, Akute Grammer School has emerged the winner of the final phrase of an anti HIV/AIDS Debate Competition organized by Youth Advocate For Change (YAC) for secondary schools in Akute/Ajuwon, Ifo Local Government, Ogun State titled; Media Messages on HIV/AIDS Harmful to Children, held recently at O.G.S Plaza, Ajuwon, Ogun State.

The event which was organized to enlighten and empower young people to become participatory partners together in the desire for a HIV/AIDS free generation witness an impressive turnout of students from schools within the vicinity. Experienced teachers, parents, civil society groups, government representatives, health educator, guest and well wisher were on ground to grace the epoch making event.

The first phrase of the debate started on June 1st to June 4th at four wards area (Akute, Ajuwon, Alagbole and Ifesowapo-Olambe) area of the community (Ajuwon/Ajuwon) on the topic is abstinence, the surest way prevent HIV/AIDS. The wining schools are Ajuwon High Schools (representing Ajuwon zone), Kingfisher College (representing Olambe) and Akute High School (representing Akute) who came in to the event after several weeks of preparation the zonal phrase of the competition. Other participating schools at the event included Brilliant Brain Specialist School, Shadiyah Model College amongst others.

Among the guest at the event were; The Commissioner for Health, Ogun State and Director, State Action Committee on HIV/AIDSS, Ogun State, Dr. Mrs. Abiodun Odunwole, represented by Mrs. C.O. Ojodu, wife of the General Overseer of the Dominion Christian Centre; Pastor Mrs. Fumilayo Emmanuel; Mrs.Olutosin Oladosu Adebowale, the Representative of the Executive Director, Media Concern for Children and Women, (MEDIACON) Princess. Olufemi Kayode; Ms. Busola Babalola Senior Programme Officer, Defense for Children- Nigeria; Mr. Fred Adegboye, a Correspondent with The Nation Newspaper and the only Nigeria Journalist openly HIV/AIDS positive; Miss O.l Tomori, representative from Odo Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State; Mr. Adewale Adesunkanmi Ademola, representing the Assistant, Zonal Director, Lagos, Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, Mrs. Ojone and the National Focal Point, Nigeria Global Youth Coalition on AIDS, Mr. Akinbo Cornerstone.

The hall was half full at about 12; noon at the start of the event, as students walk in their numbers smiling and looking forward for the heated debate that was educative and instructive.

In her address, the Commissioner for Health, who also doubles as the State Director for Ogun State HIV/AIDS Control Agencies (OGUNSACA), Dr. Mrs. Abiodun Odunwole who was represented by Mrs C.O. Ojene said that she is happy by such initaive as it will help in complementing the effort in the fight againt HIV/AIDS, most especially among the young ones in the state.

She said “the fight against HIV/AIDS Ogun state can only be won if we all in our own little way assist the government in raising more awareness about the scourge and the need for the young ones to lead a healthy lifestyle.

She enumerated some of the government activities that have help in reducing the spate of HIV/AID prevalence in the state. “Government is also responsive in the fight against this scourge in the state, but programme such as this also help in complement our work in which we hold in high esteem.” She said.

Subsequently, Shadiah Model College staged a drama titled a stitch in time saves nine. This play undoubtedly was informative, entertaining and educative. The drama portends the danger of waywardness among young people which could lead to unwanted pregnancy among the gild child and the possibility of getting infected with HIV/AIDS.

The debate proper undoubtedly breathtaking as the debaters held the audience spell bound with their dept of research, intellectual ingenuity and outstanding delivery. The entire guest present could not but admire the courage, composure and charisma of these future leaders.

At the end of the debate, Akute Grammar school emerged the winner, while Ajuwon Senior High School and Kingfisher College settled for second and third place positioned respectively. They were presented with different gift items. Certificate awarded to the participating students at the event. The winning school, Akute Grammar school will be going for a media tour during summer to further expose them to the working of the media, the topic they argue against that its has done more harm than good to children in regards to HIV/AIDS.

At the close of the day, everybody went home with a lesson or more. It is clear from the experience from the debate in its entirety, that today’s youths if given the necessary support and attention, can serve as agents of social transformation and instrument.

Earlier in his opening speech, the Programme Coordinator, Youth Advocate for Change, Adeola Ogunlade said that the initiative is poised to inspire a proactive engagement among young people toward HIV/AIDS and their role in stemming the tide in our community.

He said that the media has a crucial role to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS with its programmes in which the children are here to lend their voice on how far the media have fair in its role to help reduce the spate of the disease in Nigeria.

“Whether we are here to argue for or against, it is important to note that the media industry has a growing need to take the interest of the public, most especially the young at heart in its programme as that remain key toward building of an HIV/AIDS free generation”.

“They are begging for attention and that is why they are here to tell the world that the media content and programmes affect them and they want to ensure that it takes their interest at heart.

He asserted that the programme is part of the organisation need assessment programme for the launching of her Teens Aainst Aids Club (TAAC) for secondary schools in the area as they resume for the new session come September.


Thanks

Adeola Ogunlade
Coordinator, Youth Advocate For Change
08083127847
Pictures to be sent soon



August 4, 2009 | 7:25 AM Comments  0 comments

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