ICD: AHF Nigeria advocates condom use to prevent new STI, HIV cases

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

As the world prepares to celebrate the 2025 International Condom Day, (ICD), a Non Governmental Organization, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has encourage the use of condoms as an essential tool to prevent and tame increasing cases of new HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) cases.

In a statement made available to newsmen by the Advocacy and Marketing Manager AHF, Steve Aborishade, the organization lamented the declining use of condoms in many parts of the globe despite more than 1million STIs being acquired daily worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Country Programme Director AHF Nigeria, Dr. Echey Ijezie, said this year, AHF Nigeria will commemorate the International Condom Day (ICD) at Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi state on February 13 with exciting activities, free condom distribution, and engaging education on condom use.

He said ending HIV/AIDS must include prioritizing the prevention of new HIV cases, a goal that cannot be achieved without promoting condoms as an essential tool.

He urged all and sundry to join the movement in this year’s International Condom Day (ICD) to celebrate condoms and discover fun, creative ways to promote condom use, a simple yet powerful way to stay safer.

Ijezie said “We’re reminding everyone that using condoms is the best way to prevent HIV, other STIs, and unplanned pregnancies.

“AHF created this day to promote safer sex and make condoms accessible for all. When used correctly, condoms are proven to be effective protection for you and your partner. So, no excuses, wrap it up every time.”

Also, the AHF Africa Bureau Chief, Dr. Penninah Iutung, said “Condoms are the most cost-effective method of protecting against HIV and other STIs, yet many Africans lack access due to barriers such as stockouts, unaffordable prices, and high taxation.

He also noted that “Additionally labelling condoms as medical devices, further increases cost and reduces their affordability. This International Condom Day, we call on governments and stakeholders to remove these barriers, prioritize funding, and ensure free or affordable condoms are accessible to all who need them.”

The statement said AHF Nigeria’s ICD event will include a road walk involving students of higher institutions and members of the civil society in Kogi, including the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport worker (NURTW) with government officials from the state Ministry of Health and the State Agency for the Control of AIDS amongst others.

It states that there will be free distribution of AHF branded condoms (Love & Icon) as they match from the Kogi state Ministry of Health through the Post Office, all the way to the Ganaja bridge, through the Specialist Hospital and terminates at the Federal University Lokoja.

Across the six other AHF Nigeria states (Abuja-FCT, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River and Nasarawa), testing campaign shall take place with free condom distribution while youths from Kogi, Abuja, Benue, Cross River and Nasarawa are participating in a video challenge to promote safe sex.

The statement also read “Observed annually on February 13, International Condom Day brings awareness about the importance of condoms and other vital sexual health issues. On ICD and beyond, we remind everyone that condoms are safer, sexy, and your best protection against HIV, other STIs, and unplanned pregnancies.”