Transcript CNN International Interview with Nigeria's President Obasanjo and USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu on Democracy and Security Issues

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EVA champions efforts to combat AIDS among Nigerian youth

By Jessica Rubin

 Special to USAfrica The Newspaper, Houston
USAfricaonline.com, The Black Business Journal and NigeriaCentral.com

Located in West Africa, with an estimated 120 million people, Nigeria is home to approximately a fifth of the African continent's population. The many ethnic groups that inhabit the land have given it a diverse and valuable culture, but this greatly populated country is currently facing a most horrific health crisis, with the prevalence of HIV infected individuals increasing at a frightening rate. At the end of 2001, 3,500,000 cases of HIV positive individuals were reported, 270,000 under the age of 15, according to a survey conducted by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization. At the time that this statement was produced, 1,000,000 children had lost one or more parents to the epidemic. These figures do not even fully reveal the state of peril that Nigeria is in today. Nigeria has, for decades, made efforts to deny the reality of HIV. Only in 1986 was the first case of AIDS reported, and this late admission meant a much belated response to the disease.

It is the younger segment of the population that is sadly bearing the great weight of this epidemic. Within this group, HIV and AIDS are spreading the most rapidly, with the percentage of infected victims reaching disturbing levels. In 2001, amongst tested individuals, aged 15-19, 5.9% were HIV positive, amongst those, aged 20-24, 6.0% were infected, and 6.3% of tested individuals, aged 25-29, had HIV. Nigerian youth are lacking knowledge about their reproductive health and are therefore unprepared to face the health risks associated with sexual activity. Young people do not receive the appropriate education, despite the revealing figures, and they are reluctant to seek help from their parents and society.

The founders of this growing non-profit are two young, Nigerian-born women who were motivated by the startling HIV statistics to return to, and enact change, in their homeland. After completing their education at Wesleyan University, Fadekemi Akinfaderin and Damilola Adebiyi received a generous grant from the prestigious Echoing Green Foundation to establish EVA, and have since been developing the organization and establishing themselves as great endorsers of change in Nigeria. Akinfaderin described the response EVA first received from young Nigerians as astonishing. 'HIV doesn't really exist. That's just fabricated in the western world. It's a gay disease. I'm not white, it doesn't apply to me. I'm not American, it doesn't apply to me. I'm young. I can't get HIV.'

EVA's largest program, is the Secondary School Based Program. The SSBP is a multi-dimensional program, which incorporates the ideology of a reproductive health curriculum, peer health counseling, youth friendly health services and youth development/service based learning approaches. The program is implemented by a highly trained group of peer health educators (recent high school graduates) in over 20 secondary schools in Abuja, Nigeria's growing capital. The SSBP has provided over 3,000 students with much needed information on reproductive health topics with special emphasis on HIV/AIDS, and equipped them with life skills, which focus on decision-making, social assertiveness and effective communication as a means to minimize risk behavior. 'Young people anywhere in the world, and especially in more conservative societies, are more likely to listen and talk to the young hip person they want to be[like] about sex--abstinence and safe sex--than their parents and teachers,' said Chinelo Dike, a board member of EVA.

In addition to the youth program, EVA offers the same comfortable, receptive assistance to individuals already infected with HIV/AIDS. Working with existing clinics, EVA provides care and encouragement to infected people who may have been rejected by their families and the community.

This program is aimed to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS by the provision of weekly support group meetings and the distribution of informational pamphlets on nutrition, physical activities and mental health. EVA also works in collaboration with Health and Labor Ministries to provide Anti-retroviral therapy treatment to their clients and is in the process of embarking on an anti-stigmatization campaign targeted toward the general pubic to reduce all forms of discrimination.

EVA's work in Nigeria has only just begun. The founders have goals to create a young men's health program specifically tailored to the needs of adolescent males in single-sex high schools, a girl's health leadership program to increase the young girl's involvement in their reproductive health, and to expand their current services to youth in tertiary institutions. In the long term, EVA hopes to broaden its geographic realm of contact into other nations of West Africa. While there is not yet a foreseeable end to the AIDS epidemic, EVA's work is visible in the faces of young people, who now have a chance of avoiding the deadly disease. 'You can see the impact,' said Akinfaderin. 'A kid will walk up to you and say thank you; you're so cool and wonderful.' Contact info: Education as a Vaccine against AIDS Inc., P.O.Box 469 Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163. www.evanigeria.org

Why Chinua Achebe, the Eagle on the Iroko, is Africa's writer of the century. By Chido Nwangwu APPRECIATION A young father writes his One year old son: "If only my heart had a voice...." DIPLOMACY Walter Carrington: An African-American diplomat puts principles above self for Nigeria  USAfricaonline.com Founder Chido Nwangwu with the U.S. former Ambassador Carrington (right) at the U.S. embassy in Lagos during a courtesy visit. COUNTERPOINT Tiger Woods is no Nelson Mandela! By Chido Nwangwu SPORTS: Tiger Woods makes more history with another golf Masters win. He shot 12-under-par 276 and a final round 71 at Georgia's Augusta National Golf Club event and collected $1,008,000, on Sunday April 14, 2002. With it, the world's golf phenom added another green jacket to his array of championships and titles, placing him, in this instance, in the same respected Masters' league as Nicklaus (winner 1965 and 1966) and Nick Faldo (1989 and 1990). The three are the only men to win back-to-back Masters. At 26, Woods has since become the youngest golfer to win his seventh professional major championship. He was joined by his parents and his 22 year-old Swedish model girlfriend, Elin Nordegren. DEMOCRACY'S WARRIOR Out of Africa. …The cock that crows in the morning belongs to one household but his voice is the property of the neighborhood. -- Chinua Achebe, Anthills of the Savannah. An editor carries on his crusade against public corruption and press censorship in his native Nigeria and other African countries. By John Suval. Biafra-Nigeria war and history get fresh, critical look from a survivor. By Alverna Johnson and Vivian Okeke.   'Biafra: History Without Mercy' - a preliminary note. By Chido Nwangwu ODUMEGWU EMEKA OJUKWU:"It was simply a choice between Biafra and enslavement! And, here's why we chose Biafra" Biafra: From Boys to Men. By Dr. M.O. Ene African Union: Old wine in new skin? 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How Nigeria's Islamic Sharia crises will affect the U.S. USAfrica INTERVIEW "Why African Catholics are concerned about crises, sex abuse issues in our church" - a frank chat with ICCO's Mike Umeorah Why Bush should focus on dangers facing Nigeria's return to democracy and Obasanjo's slipperyslide Johnnie Cochran will soon learn that defending Abacha's loot is not as simple as his O.J Simpson's case. By Chido Nwangwu The Economics of Elections in Nigeria HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY How far, how deep will Nigeria's human rights commission go? Rtd. Gen. Babangida trip as emissary for Nigeria's Obasanjo to Sudan raises curiosity, questions about what next in power play? COUNTERPOINT 'Why is Bill Maher spreading racist nonsense about HIV/AIDS and Africa on ABC? USAfricaonline LITERATURE As Chinua Achebe turned 70, Africa's preeeminent statesman Nelson Mandela, Toni Morrison, Wole Soyinka, Ali Mazrui, Leon Botstein (president of Bard College), Ojo Maduekwe, Emmanuel Obiechina, Ngugi wa Thinong'o, Micere Mugo, Michael Thelwell, Niyi Osundare, and an army of some of the world's leading writers and arts scholars joined to pay tribute to him at Bard College in New York. (Achebe is in pix with Morrison). Meanwhile, the Nobel committee has, again, chosen a relatively less known (globally-speaking) Chinese novelist, Gao Xingjian, rather than Achebe for the Literature prize. Achebe was seen as a top favorite for the 2000 award. What the Swedish Nobel committee will not give, Achebe has, for well over 30 years, won in the hearts of millions in 53 languages. By Chido Nwangwu Literary giant Chinua Achebe returns "home" from U.S., to love and adulation of community Hate groups' spin by Lamar Alexander benefits anti-Blacks, anti-Semites, and racists Annan, power and burden of the U.N The Civilianizing of African soldiers into Presidents At 39, Nigerians still face dishonest stereotypes such as Buckley's, and other self-inflicted wounds. JFK Jr.: Death of a Good Son 'Why is Bill Maher spreading racist nonsense about HIV/AIDS and Africa on ABC? National Summit on Africa, Congresswoman Jackson-Lee hold policy forum in Houston '100 Black Men are solutions-oriented' says Thomas Dortch, Jr., Richard Johnson and Nick Clayton II as they share perspectives with USAfrica's founder on the national organization. ARTS The Life and Irreverent times of Afrobeat superstar, FELA     TRIBUTE Tanzania's founding president Julius Nyerere       Nnamdi Azikiwe: Statesman, Intellectual and Titan of African politics Community Service Awards bring African-American, American policy and business leaders together with African community at Texas Southern University 110 minutes with Hakeem Olajuwon Cheryl Mills' first class defense of Clinton and her detractors' game  Nigeria, Cry My Beloved Country BULLET Versus BALLOT The bloody stain of military coup, on Friday December 24, 1999, sullied the once unique history of democratic rule in the beautiful and historically democratic, French-speaking west African country of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) by General Robert Guei (inset). USAfricaonline report and commentary. COMMUNITY INTEREST Why the revisionist forces of racist oppression in South Africa should not be allowed to intimidate Ron and Charlayne Gault. Index of Founder's Notes (1) Index of Founder's Notes (2) Index of other Viewpoints USAfricaonline contributors and columnists on the issues BUSINESS Dr. Anaebonam's strategic vision for BREEJ is a model for business excellence and empowerment. Pope John Paul, Abacha and Nigeria's Christians TRANSITION General Tunde Idiagbon:  A nationalist, an iron-surgeon departs Abiola's sudden death and the ghost of things to come   Gen. Shehu Musa Yar'Adua's prison death, Nigeria and The Ghost of Things to come .....  Soni Egwuatu, Houston businessman, joins his ancestors

THE FIRST POPE of RECENT AFRICAN ORIGIN? To our Brother Cardinal Arinze: May your pastoral lineage endure! INSIGHT Why Martin Luther King's legacy and vision are relevant into 21st century. Impeachment process shows Nigerian democracy "is alive... being tested." Nigeria's president retired Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the impeachment process shows that "democracy is alive, is being tested, and being tried.... What they (the legislators) have tried to do in the democratic way, which is not easy, would probably have been done by taking arms or by -- with bullets. So, but with democracy, of course, some people feel that this is the way this should be, and then I have an opportunity to defend myself. There is discussion. There is dialogue. There is a decision. There is fairness." He made these comments when he appeared on Tuesday September 17, 2002 on CNN International to discuss the issues of impeachment facing him, the allegations of corruption, abuse of the constitution and deployment of soldiers ina civilian environment which led to the "massacre of civilians" in Odi (Bayelsa) and Zaki Biam (Benue). On the charges by international human rights organizations and Nigerian media that his government has been involved in actions which have led to the deaths of thousands of Nigerians, the retired General gave a surprising answer. He was asked that "as many as 10,000 people, it's being reported, have been killed in Nigeria (in) communal rivalries, and the number is believed to be increasing. And people are saying that although President Obasanjo has done a lot of good for Nigeria, you're accused of not -- accused of failing to halt that spiraling violence." Obasanjo: Let me say this to you, when you put the question of 10,000 -- 10,000 people dying in Nigeria, of course, for a population of over 120 million people...." But USAfricaonline.com Founder and recipient of the Journalism Excellence award (1997), Chido Nwangwu, who appeared on the same program as as a CNN International analyst (Africa) pointed out that "when (President Obasanjo) answered that in a country of 100 million that 10,000 people are said to have died, as if that was a small number, that in itself reflects a disconnect with the concerns of Nigerians. The second one is that when the risk is civil disagreement, the police are required to intervene in the country. And the deployment of the armed forces of Nigeria requires at least some consultation, however modest, with the parliament." Nwangwu, former member of the editorial board of Nigeria's Daily Times continued that "the third factor that is equally important to underscore is that the armed forces of Nigeria moved in for a punitive action rather than just containing a civil disagreement." He noted in USAfricaonline.com backgrounder "it was revealing and interesting interesting discussing Nigeria's issues with its leader - under the current circumstances of an increasingly out-of-schedule elections and the gathering storm of an impeachment process by a majority of the members of the National Assembly, predominantly by Obasanjo's party members." See rush transcript of the CNN International news program. Obasanjo facing corruption and ineptitude impeachment charges, again since the parliament, a few weeks ago, passed a motion carrying a majority of the members of Obasanjo's party, the PDP. INSIGHT: How Obasanjo's self-succession charade at his Ota Farm has turned Nigeria to an 'Animal Farm.' 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By Chido Nwangwu (Related commentary) Coup in Cote d'Ivoire has been in the waiting. By Tom Kamara Nigerian stabbed to death in his bathroom in Houston. CONTINENTAL AGENDA Bush's position on Africa is "ill-advised." The position stated by Republican presidential aspirant and Governor of Texas, George Bush where he said that "Africa will not be an area of priority" in his presidency has been questioned by USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu. He added that Bush's "pre-election position was neither validated by the economic exchanges nor geo-strategic interests of our two continents." These views were stated during an interview CNN's anchor Bernard Shaw and senior analyst Jeff Greenfield had with Mr. Nwangwu on Saturday November 18, 2000 during a special edition of 'Inside Politics 2000.' Nwangwu, adviser to the Mayor of Houston (the 4th largest city in the U.S., and immigrant home to thousands of Africans) argued further that "the issues of the heritage interests of 35 million African-Americans in Africa, the volume and value of oil business between between the U.S and Nigeria and the horrendous AIDS crisis in Africa do not lend any basis for Governor Bush's ill-advised position which removes Africa from fair consideration" were he to be elected president. By Al Johnson HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY How far, how deep will Nigeria's human rights commission go? Rtd. Gen. Babangida trip as emissary for Nigeria's Obasanjo to Sudan raises curiosity, questions about what next in power play? 110 minutes with Hakeem Olajuwon Cheryl Mills' first class defense of Clinton and her detractors game  Seriously, is your web site a Turkey, too? Get Solutions PetroGasWorks Shell picks Leslie Mays as VP Global Diversity EndGame in Kinshasa: U.S must boot Mobutu for own interest, future of Zaire and Africa Why Powell's mission to the Middle East failed. By Jonathan Elendu Will the rash of Ethnic Violence disrupt Nigeria's effort at Democracy? Nigerian stabbed to death in his bathroom in Houston.