Kogi Assembly Passes Law To Stop Discrimination Related To HIV, AIDS – Executive Director, INGRA
By Abubakar Suleman
The Initiative For Grassroot Advancement In Nigeria (INGRA), has said the kogi state House of Assembly had passed a new antidiscrimination bill into law that protects the rights and dignity of people living with HIV.
The Executive Director of INGRA, Hamza Aliyu disclosed during a one-day media round table which took place at the NUJ Press Centre, Lokoja, saying that HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act makes it illegal to discriminate against people based on their HIV status.
“It also prohibits any employer, individual or organization from requiring a person to take an HIV test as a precondition for employment or access to services”.
The Executive Director further noted that the new law will create a more supportive environment, allowing people living with HIV to carry on their lives as normally as possible.
He stressed that the HIV Anti Discrimination Law was passed 2024, sponsored by The Kogi state House of Assembly.
By Hamza Aliyu
According to him, “the sponsorship and presentation of the bill by member of Kogi state House of Assembly, representing Lokoja one constituency, Hon. Bin Ebaiya Shehu is highly commended. We appreciate this unprecedented development, as it will help halt all HIV-related stigma and discrimination in Kogi state and the country”.
“We appeal to His Excellency, Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo to kindly accent to the bill that had been passed by the Kogi state Assembly, the antidiscrimination is a much welcome action in the fight against HIV and AIDS. It will help more people in Kogi to seek testing, treatment and care services without fear of facing stigma and discrimination.”
“By signing the antistigma bill into law, it has given to all Kogi people living with or affected by HIV a guarantee to access justice and to regain their human rights and dignity in society while enjoying productive lives. Zero discrimination is the only environment conducive to ending the AIDS epidemic.
