International Condom Day: AHF holds awareness campaign as officials kick against HIV, STIs, stigma

In celebration of the 2025 International Condom Day, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Thursday, held an awareness campaign in Lokoja to highlight the importance of condom use and raise awareness about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Speaking at the event, Kogi state Coordinator of AHF Nigeria, Dr Onyeyili Ikemefuna, explained that the campaign was to promote safer sex practices, reduce stigma and equip young people with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their sexual health.

He encouraged young people to embrace condom use, emphasising that it was essential for protecting against STIs and preventing unintended pregnancies.

Ikemefuna revealed that AHF Nigeria had produced enough condoms, which were being distributed for free as part of the campaign.

He said: “The day aims to educate people about the risks of STIs, unintended pregnancies and the importance of using condoms to prevent these risks.

“It is observed just before Valentine’s Day to remind people that love should be accompanied by responsible and safe sexual behaviour.

“Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and people will engage in sex whether we like it or not. We can’t stop them, but we advise condom use because it is better to be safe than to seek treatment.”

Also speaking, the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade, commended AHF Nigeria and other stakeholders for the initiative.

She encouraged people to use condoms, stressing that it remained an effective option for triple protection: preventing HIV, STIs, and unplanned pregnancies.

Similarly, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF Nigeria, Mr Steve Aborishade, underscored the need to promote condom use, especially among young people, to combat the rising rates of STIs.

“We always tell them to abstain, but we realise many cannot and that’s why we are seeing an increase in STIs, including HIV/AIDS.

“With the theme ‘Kuku Use Am, No Shake Body,’ we are targeting young people to promote condom use, which can protect their dreams,” he said.

The event included a health talk on STIs and a demonstration on how to properly use condoms.

The roadwalk kicked off at the Ministry of Health, passing through Post Office and FEN Junction, and concluded at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) Andankolo campus.

AHF operates in more than 46 countries, providing cutting-edge HIV care and advocacy, regardless of a person’s ability to pay, and advocating for policies that benefit the HIV community.