To enhance the skills of Nigerians in advocating for healthcare access and welfare issues, the non-governmental organization AIDS Healthcare Foundation Nigeria has conducted training for residents of Nnung Udoe community in the Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Dr. Ekemini Essien, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator for AHF, stated during a press conference at the conclusion of the two-day training session that the goal was to prepare group members on advocacy strategies to improve access to HIV and TB services within the community.

He mentioned that AHF provided training to advocacy group members on delivering high-quality services for free at the community level through collaboration.

Additionally, he highlighted that AHF Nigeria equipped participants with the necessary tools to advocate effectively and comprehend the essence of advocacy.

“So, right now within the Ibesikpo Asutan, Nnung Udoe area, we decided to set up and train members of the advocacy club who can carry out advocacy on issues identified as paramount to the community.

“That will bridge the gap of knowledge, provide sensitisation and awareness on public health issues and that can harness the strength of the community to meet their needs.

“The advocacy group involves bringing together some individuals within the community representing various age groups and social status who are passionate and ready to serve their community through advocacy.

“Community Advocacy group is the concept of AHF African Bureau, while AHF Africa Bureau comprises 13 countries in Africa including Nigeria.

“The community advocacy club is a flagship program of AHF to allow the voices of the community to count on issues that matter to them.

“We see ourselves as a community-motivated organisation, and we love to work in hard-to-reach locations where other people don’t want go to.”

“So, we are working with this community now to set up an advocacy club, we call them the power voices,” Essien stated.

According to AHF Nigeria’s Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborisade, the advocacy group aims to raise awareness about the community’s challenges and prompt action, with support from AHF and in cooperation with other important partners.

Aborisade mentioned that AHF Nigeria plans to assist the state’s TB program by utilizing the advocacy club to enhance efforts in identifying index cases and raising awareness.

He expressed that the organization’s objective is for local community members to take the initiative in addressing community concerns.

Aborisade mentioned, “Gradually, AHF will spread the advocacy club to the other local government areas where we will work in Akwa Ibom state.”

Eteidung John Etim, the Village Head of Mbikpong Ikot Edim in the Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, and Chairman of the community’s advocacy group, expressed his appreciation to AHF Nigeria for establishing the advocacy group in their community.

Etim pledged to leverage his role to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among the community members in order to curb the spread of the virus.

“I really appreciate this NGO for coming down to this community with this advocacy initiative. We see it as a way of helping the people of our community.

“As part of my civic responsibility, I have so many ways of taking the information to the people in my domain.

“I will use my town crier, I will use churches, schools and markets in my community to disseminate the information,” Etim stated.

He expressed gratitude to AHF Nigeria for introducing the advocacy program to his community and vowed to make the most of the initiative.

Miss Redeem Eyo, another member of the group from Mbierebe Akpawat in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, shared that the advocacy training had expanded her knowledge on HIV/AIDS and its prevention methods. She mentioned that the training prepared her to educate her peers within the community.

She emphasized , “Today, I’m very happy for this programme as it has enlightened me about HIV/AIDS. It has created enough awareness and has given me more knowledge about the disease.

I will take the advocacy to my peer group for enlightenment on the signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS and abstinence as the best option.”