Assent speedily to bill preventing HIV, AID's discrimination in Kogi- INGRA begs Gov. Ododo

A Non-Governmental Organization, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria, INGRA, has appealed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to urgently assent to the bill for a law to provide for the prevention, of HIV and AIDs based discrimination and protection of the rights and protection of the rights and dignity of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDs in Kogi State.

The Executive Director of INGRA, Hamza Aliyu made the appeal in a statement made available to Journalists on Saturday.

He noted that, if signed into law, it will give Persons living with HIV and AIDS in Kogi State a respite from the deluge of discrimination that they have been facing in over the years in the State.

"The Bill objectives are to prevent the acquisition of the dreaded virus, HIV and its disease, AIDS, as well as its spread in cases where the virus had already been acquired, as well as to eliminate discrimination and protect the rights and dignity of those living with or affected by the virus or its disease" he added.

On the recent public hearing of the bill organized by the Kogi State House of Assembly joint Committee on Health and Justice/Judicial Matters, Aliyu averred that, the hearing, which is a Constitutional requirement for all proposed legislation, is another confirmation that the present Kogi State House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Umar Aliyu, is capacitated and in tune with the yearnings of the Citizens especially the most vulnerable in the society.

Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that Aliyu said "This is what good governance should be about. We also wish to appreciate the Chairmen of the Committees on Health and Justice for their efforts at bring about this engagement. Again, this would have been impossible without the inputs from stakeholders including the Civil Society, Religious and Traditional institutions in the State"

He appreciated the Speaker's democratic predisposition of ensuring that the voices of the people are heard in laws that affect them. 

It was gathered that the bill had passed through first readings at the floor of the Kogi State House of Assembly on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024. 

It was further learnt that, the Second Reading of the Bill was done on the 7th May 2024. 

It was also gathered that the Bill which is sponsored by Hon Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani, Member representing Lokoja I State Constituency, was supported by the Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA) and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria/International.

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