The Federal Government has inaugurated the governing board of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS.

The new governing board inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Ufot Ekaette on March 29 in Abuja has the responsibility for the following functions among
others:

a) Provide leadership and advocacy for the prevention and control of the HIV and AIDS scourge in the Federation; and provide intergovernmental and multi-sectoral coordination;

b) Facilitate partnerships and collaboration for the purpose of
enhancing Nigeria's control initiatives on the HIV and AIDS pandemic;

c) Facilitate funding for effective dissemination of information and
counselling against HIV and AIDS infections and care and
support for people living with HIV and AIDS throughout the
Federation;

d) Review from time to time, the extent of the implementation of the
national strategic framework on the prevention and control of the
HIV and AIDS by the Agency;

e) Determine the overall policies and guideline of the agency,
including its financial and operating procedures and ensure their
effective implementation;

f) Make rules for the appointment, promotion and discipline of
employees of the Agency.

While inaugurating the Board Chief Ekaette said the Federal Government was looking at HIV/AIDS through the broader lenses of a development agenda rather than the hitherto paradigm of a health sector response.

He declared "The progress made by this Committee to promote the prevention and control of the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country through several activities had resulted in on-going activities by various sectors and sub-sectors of the national economy, culminating in the submission before the National Assembly, about four years ago, of a bill on an appropriate legal framework for the establishment of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS."

Chief Ekaette charged members of the new Board to ensure that they leave a legacy behind to justify the confidence reposed on them by the Federal Government.

The Chairman of the Board Professor Umaru in his response gave an assurance that his Board members would live up to expectation.


Other members of the board are,


(i) Professor Babatunde Osotimehin - Director – General

(ii) Professor Ayo Atsenuwa - Member

(iii) Dr. Joseph Nnorom - Member

(iv) Dr. Alash'le Abimiku - Member

(v) Mr. Ray Ekpu - Member
(vi) Dr. Clara Ejembi - Member

(vii) Alhaji Kassim Njidda - Member

(viii) Mr. John Jinung - Member

(ix) Mrs. Funmi Doherty - Member

(x) Mr. John Ibekwe - Member

(xi) Mrs. Rebecca Apezan - Member

(xii) Dr. U. T. Yakasai - Member

(xiii) Rep. Office of the SGF - Member

(xiv) Rep. Federal Ministry of Health - Member

(xv) Rep. Federal Ministry of Women Affairs -Member

It is interesting to note that the board has no youth as its member and though a great development is bound to failure!