Jonathan’s 45-Minute Meeting With Obama

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Goodluck Jonathan (2010-present), Latest Politics, Presidency, Top Stories Saturday, June 11th, 2011

As part of his scheduled assignments in the United States this week, President Goodluck Jonathan had a 45-minutes’ meeting with US President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington DC, early yesterday, appealing to the American government to help in the HIV/AIDS scourge in Nigeria.

Stressing his earlier presentation at the United Nations General Assembly, Jonathan said, “There are currently about three million cases of HIV/AIDS scourge now in the country.”

Although he admitted that there had been growing interest on the issue by successive government in the country to eradicate the virus, he canvassed fo international collaboration in tackling the menace.

A survey by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in September 2010; revealed a national HIV prevalence of 4.1 per cent.

In Nigeria, the prevalence ranged from 1.0 per cent in Kebbi State to 12.7 per cent in Benue State. A total of 16 states and the FCT had a prevalence of above five per cent. Five of the six states in the South-South zone, three of the five in the South-East zone, five of the seven in North-Central zone, two of the six in North-East Zone, and one of the six in South-West zone had a prevalence of five per cent and above.

The three states with the highest rates were Benue, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa. The prevalence was generally higher in urban than rural areas except in eight states, namely, Benue, Adamawa, Kaduna, Akwa-Ibom, Yobe, Jigawa, Kebbi and Ondo where the reverse was the case.

The highest site prevalence of 21.3 per cent in the country was reported in Wannune (Benue State) while the lowest prevalence of 0.0 per cent was reported in four sites, namely, Kwami (Gombe State), Rano (Kano State), Owhelogbo (Delta State) and Ganawuri (Plateau State.

The prevalence rose with increasing age group and peaked at age 30-34 years (5.7%) after which it declined. A higher HIV prevalence among singles than married people was observed.

A declining trend of HIV prevalence among women attending ANC in Nigeria was reported from 5.8 per cent in 2001 through five per cent in 2003 to 4.4 per cent in 2005. However, the national prevalence seemed to have stabilised between 2005 and 2010 as shown by the reported prevalences – 4.4 per cent (2005), 4.6 per cent (2008) and 4.1 per cent (2010).

While six states showed a consistent downward trend between 2005 and 2010, eight states showed a consistent rise. Other states showed no consistency in trend. Trend analysis of HIV prevalence among youths 15-24 years showed a consistent decline from 2001 to 2010 (i.e. from 6.0% (2001), through 5.3% (2003), 4.3% (2005), 4.2% (2008) to 4.1% (2010).

Considering the findings from the survey, NACA had recommended that primary prevention strategies targeting the youth (among other groups) should be strengthened.
The president, who lauded the US for what it is doing within the framework of the U.S-Nigerian Bi-National Commission, which began its operation last year, also told Obama that he wanted more support from his government in all the areas of the commission.

He thanked Obama for all the supports that his country offered Nigeria during the recently concluded general elections.

He said: “I appreciate all the comments made by the United States government over the outcome of the general elections we held in my country.”

In his own reactions, Obama, who said that he “sincerely congratulated the federal government of Nigeria on the successful general elections recently held in the country” also wished Jonathan a successful tenure as the Nigerian democratically elected president.

Obama lauded the bi-national agreement between the United States government and the federal government of Nigeria, stressing that his government looked up to more cooperation between both countries especially in the area of the Bi-National Commission (BNC).wp_posts