The HIV Trust Fund of Nigeria (HTFN) has recognised and honoured some corporate organisations and individuals for their unflinching support towards its efforts to raise funds to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.
The non-governmental organisation has an ambitious plan to raise N10 billion as part of the National HIV/AIDS response, focused on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT).
The award recipients are Ocean Lord Limited, represented by the administrative manager, Mr Jerry Adebiyi; Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), represented by the HOD Community Relations/CSR/ Corporate Communications, Nnenna Nwobodo and Chief Edobor Ozakpolor.
Others are Ms Kosisochi Ozoemene, Wonu Jegede and Mokut Utuk, who were recognised as HTFN Tribe Members. The three who recently graduated from Atlantic Hall Secondary School, Epe, are committed to advocating the cause and had collectively raised N520,000 towards achieving the objectives of HTFN.
During the event held in Lagos on Monday, the chief executive officer (CEO) of HIV Trust Fund of Nigeria, Dr Jekwu Ozoemene, appreciated the awardees for their unalloyed efforts and reiterated the need for individuals, public and private organisations in Nigeria to pool resources to fight HIV/AIDS.
To ensure transparency and accountability, Ozoemene said HTFN will intermittently make public its account and donations.
Nwobodo commended HTFN over its achievements and called for advocacy across schools and grassroots sensitisation as a means of eliciting widespread response.
Also, Ozakpolor said his donation was made in his name rather than as a corporate body so that other individuals would understand that the call to support was not just for corporaties.
Ozoemene thanked HTFN’s Funding Trustees: Access Corporation, The Aliko Dangote Foundation, Shell Companies in Nigeria, and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for their unrelenting support in the fight against the spread of HIV in Nigeria.
