By Mu’azu Osekalago, Bilkisu M. Usman & Halima Aliyu Omaku

Nasarawa State Government has concluded arrangement to establish a modern centre for the treatment of breast and cervical cancers in the state.

The state Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, stated this at the launching of the Nasarawa State chapter of National Women Coalition Against HIV/AIDS (NAWOCA) held at the Ibrahim Abacha Youth Centre, Lafia, recently.

Governor Doma said that the centre, when established, would be equipped to provide early detection and management opportunities for women and girls who suffer from breast and cervical cancers.

While noting that about 2.9 million adults and children were living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, with 900, 000 children orphaned by the disease, he said the emergence of NAWOCA, an initiative of wife of the president, Hajiya Turai Umar Yar’adua, has brought hope to people living with HIV/AIDS in the country.

The governor commended his wife, Hajiya Raliya Aliyu Akwe Doma, for launching the chapter of NAWOCA in the state.

Speaking at the launching, Hajiya Raliya Doma said, the aim of the coalition was to provide support for women living with HIV/AIDS, adding that NAWOCA would also engage in enlightenment campaigns with a view to preventing the spread of the disease in the state.

She said the coalition was a platform for promoting the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), especially girls and women.

Hajiya Raliya Doma, commended the leadership of the First Lady of Nigeria, Hajiya Turai Umar Yar’adua, for her vision, focus and determination in the crusade against the HIV/AIDS scourge.

She expressed her appreciation with the kind of support NAWOCA was getting from the state government.

Guest speaker at the occasion, Dr. Nhabme Abimiku, from the United States, gave the lecture on how to avoid been infected by HIV/AIDS, urging people to avoid unprotected, and illicit sex.

She called on people living with HIV/AIDS to adopt a positive approach to life by restating their determinations to live in spite of stigmatization by other members of the society.

Meanwhile, two standing committees for the Nasarawa State chapter of the National Women Coalition Against HIV/AIDS (NAWOCA) have been inaugurated.

Inaugurating the advisory and technical committees, the wife of the state governor, Hajiya Raliya Akwe Doma, said NAWOCA "is an advocacy platform for addressing the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV/AIDS", adding that the coalition would provide access to treatment, care and support to women with HIV/AIDS, and check the spread of the disease.

She said the advisory committee would be saddled with the responsibility of promoting policy and programme direction as well as conduct advocacy activities.

"On the other hand, the technical working committee shall assist in promoting pragmatic oversight to women focal persons in NASACA and contributing to the work of the state advisory committee," she stated.

Hajiya Raliya, however, stressed the need for individuals, groups, corporate bodies and relevant agencies in the state to support the two committees in the discharge of their duties.

Members of the advisory committee included Senator Patricia Akwashiki, Honourable Mary Enwoangulu, Professor Zainab Alkali, Hajiya Aishatu Rufa’i Ibrahim and Mrs Dinatu Iwala.

The technical working committee has Hajiya Aisha Hadi Kassim, Mrs Caroline Anzalo, Mrs. Mary Ashenenye, Mrs. Veronica Ogbole, Mrs Sara Asoloko and Mrs Rose Yakubu among others, as members.

Responding on behalf of the members of the committee, Hon. Mary Enwoangulu pledged the members’ readiness to justify the confidence reposed in them, saying, "we are ready to perform the duty with the seriousness it deserved."