Governor Usman Ododo has been urged to assent to the HIV Anti-Stigma Bill passed by the Kogi State House of Assembly in June. The Executive Director of the Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), Hamza Aliyu, made this appeal during a media roundtable in Lokoja aimed at advancing the HIV stigma bill and addressing stigma reduction.
Aliyu emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of the over 300,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Kogi State. He explained that the bill, once signed into law, would prevent new infections and combat stigmatization.
“The law, which is broad-based, protects the rights and dignity of HIV-affected persons and eliminates all forms of discrimination,” Aliyu stated. “It creates a supportive environment for people living with HIV and AIDS, ensuring a safe and conducive working environment for affected individuals. The law also empowers employers to take affirmative action on job requirements and prescribes penalties for noncompliance.”
The bill stipulates that discrimination against HIV/AIDS individuals would result in a fine of N500,000 or a two-year imprisonment, with some cases warranting both penalties.