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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Wednesday, 14 July, 2004, 11:35 GMT 12:35 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Nigeria wakes up to HIV reality By Nnenna Obibuaku BBC Africa Live, Lagos Many Nigerians remain ignorant about Aids Nigeria has recently embarked on extensive Aids awareness campaigns in response to criticism that the country has not done enough to tackle the epidemic. The country has one of the world's highest numbers of people living with the HIV virus. According to the latest UNAids report, about 5% of Africa's most populous country, or about 3.8 million people, are HIV positive. Already 2.3 million have died from Aids and 800,000 children are orphans. Fela Kuti The government's response has been to run adverts and education programmes on national radio and television. A number of billboards warning about HIV and Aids have been put up on roads into and around major cities, such as Lagos. I think that the whole issue is overblown and over-exaggerated. Mohammed Idris Have Your Say Some people, however, warn that rural areas are still being overlooked. On one billboard is the world-famous Nigerian musician, Fela Ransome Kuti, who died in 1997 from an Aids-related disease. Fela's message is: "AIDS NO DEY SHOW FOR FACE (Aids doesn't show on your face)". The effect these government HIV and Aids awareness campaigns and statistics have on Nigerians is quite varied. The stigma surrounding HIV and Aids is still very high - and a few people did not even want to talk to me about whether they paid attention to the Aids messages or not. But many more people did want to talk. Warning messages Mercy, who works in a cyber-cafe, says the messages make her sit up and listen: "The reason I listen is because I feel for those who contract it." Mohammed Idris who works in an oil company said: "I do switch off because I think that the whole issue is overblown and over-exaggerated". Bank manager, Uche Onyemaobi, said: "Sometimes I listen and sometimes I don't, it depends on what the advert has to say." On the whole, then, it would seem that Nigerians are not tired of hearing warning messages about HIV and Aids. They want to know as much as possible about HIV and Aids. The question is whether Nigerians then change their sexual behaviour based on this knowledge. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectUK slams Kenya's 'new corruption'Ex-Niger premier denies Iraq linkNigerians challenge Taylor asylumFormer rebels join Uganda's armyChildren missing out on HIV drugsZimbabwe 'returning to stone age'France raps 'US Aids blackmail'Fears for Sudan Islamist's healthSoyinka still going strong at 70Congo anger at diamond suspensionItaly holds migrants ship captainDR Congo uranium mine collapsesBotswana bushmen in legal fightSenegal's 'Day without the press'HIV funds failing to reach targetFund projects 'missing targets'Sudan and Chad agree Darfur movesEx-minister loses genocide appealNew body for Kenya footballNigeria wakes up to HIV realityDo you have Aids fatigue?Somalia's hope of a new eraTourists discover Mozambique beautyDo you have a story to tell?Programmes and schedules  GETTING A CONTINENT TALKING AFRICA LIVE Setting the Africa Live! agenda CURRENT DEBATE Aids fatigue? BBC Africa Live asks: Are you tired of hearing the same old warning messages? PREVIOUS DEBATES Reporting in Africa Reporters' stories Seizing sovereignty in Africa Africa Live! 1630GMT Africa Live! 1830GMT RELATED INTERNET LINKS: UNAids Nigeria health ministry The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW UK slams Kenya's 'new corruption' Ex-Niger premier denies Iraq link Nigerians challenge Taylor asylum Former rebels join Uganda's army News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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