NACA Urges Bauchi Religious Leaders To Champion HIV/AIDS Awareness

Religious leaders in Bauchi State have been urged to integrate HIV/AIDS education and awareness messages into their weekly sermons to help curb the spread of the virus and reduce stigma.

The call was made during a one-day workshop organised by the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA), in collaboration with the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (BACATMA), for faith-based organisations (FBOs) under the BACATMA Mapping Committee yesterday.

Facilitating the session, NACA’a North-East Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Tobias John, emphasised the critical role of religious leaders in influencing attitudes and behaviors within their congregations.
He said the time had come for clerics to speak openly about HIV/AIDS and its devastating impact on individuals and families.

“Religious leaders must use their platforms to spread accurate information about HIV/AIDS. When such messages come from the pulpit, people listen, and that can help dispel myths, reduce stigma, and promote healthier lifestyles,” Tobias stated.

He further highlighted the need to emphasise preventive measures, including the correct use of condoms, during sermons and meetings, noting that silence on the subject has contributed to rising infections and discrimination against people living with HIV.

According to Tobias, the workshop aimed to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of religious leaders to support national efforts toward ending AIDS by 2030 through education, compassion, and advocacy.

“You hold the key to change.
Both Islam and Christianity teach compassion and support for people living with HIV. Religious leaders must use their influence to encourage understanding and care rather than stigma,” he added.

He explained the difference between HIV and AIDS, noting that HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) weakens the immune system, while AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) represents the most advanced stage of the infection when the body becomes vulnerable to diseases.

Participants from both Christian and Muslim communities commended NACA and BACATMA for organising the workshop, saying it opened their eyes to critical information about HIV/AIDS and the role of faith in addressing it.