INGRA begs Gov. Ododo to ascent to bill preventing HIV, AID’s discrimination in Kogi

By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick, Kogi

A Non-Governmental Organization, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria, INGRA, has appealed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to urgently ascent to the bill for a law to provide for the prevention of HIV and AIDs based discrimination and protection of the rights and dignity of people living with HIV and AIDs in Kogi State.

The Executive Director of INGRA, Hamza Aliyu made the appeal in a statement signed and made available to Journalists on Saturday.

He noted that, if signed into law, it will give Persons living with HIV and AIDS in Kogi State a respite from the deluge of discrimination that they have been facing in over the years in the State.

The statement reads in part: “The Bill objectives are to prevent the acquisition of the dreaded virus, HIV and its disease, AIDS, as well as its spread in cases where the virus had already been acquired, as well as to eliminate discrimination and protect the rights and dignity of those living with or affected by the virus or its disease” he added.

On the recent public hearing of the bill organized by the Kogi State House of Assembly joint Committee on Health and Justice/Judicial Matters, Aliyu averred that, the hearing, which is a Constitutional requirement for all proposed legislation, will met the yearnings of the Citizens, especially the vulnerable people in the society.

Aliyu said “This is what good governance should be about. We also wish to appreciate the Chairmen of the Committees on Health and Justice for their efforts at bring about this engagement.

“Again, this would have been impossible without the inputs from stakeholders including the Civil Society, Religious and Traditional institutions in the State”

He applauded the Speaker’s democratic predisposition of ensuring that the voices of the people are heard in laws that affect them.

It was gathered that the bill had passed through first readings at the floor of the Kogi State House of Assembly on April 24th, 2024.

The Nations News Nigeria learnt that, the Second Reading of the Bill was done on the 7th May 2024.

The bill which was sponsored by Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani, Member representing Lokoja I State Constituency, was supported by the Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria, INGRA, and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria/International.