Ex-Eagles, entertainment stars play against HIV/AIDS Pandemic

                                                        Emmanuel Babayero

Former Super Eagles’ players will lock horns with Entertainment All Stars at the Campos Mini Stadium on December 6 to create more awareness for the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The match, which is put together by Friends Africa, is aimed at eradicating victimization and stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS. This game is part of week-long activities to mark this year’s World AIDS Day in the country.

According to the non-profit organization’s Goodwill Ambassador and Olympic Gold medalist, Emmanuel Babayaro, former Super Eagles stars like Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Jonathan Akpoborie, Celestine Babayaro and many others will do battle with entertainment stars which include Afeez Ayetoro (Saka), Jude ‘Mr Incredible’ Abaga, ID Cabasa, Sidney ‘Dr Sid’ Esiri amongst others in what promises to be a very interesting match. The 2012 edition had former Eagles’ captain, Okocha scored a hat-trick as the former Nigerian internationals ran out 5-0 winners.

At the press conference to launch its 2014 campaign held yesterday at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel,Dr Akudo Anyanwu Ikemba, Chief Executive Officer (CEO),Friends Africa stated: “Stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS is the biggest challenge facing the eradication of this epidemic. The fear of being ostracized doesn’t create an enabling environment for people to boldly access treatment or attempt to know their status.

“By combining the love Nigerians have for football, using the  former Super Eagles Stars and celebrities as role models, the campaign aims to reach out to 20,000 Nigerians, creating a platform for people to know their HIV status. The more people we can test also means the more people we can reach in terms of educating them about HIV/AIDS thus reducing stigmatization of people living with it.”

The Nation