Peace Corps of Nigeria condemns illegal recriutment

By Eunice Emmanuel-Bagi

  The Kogi State Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Mr. Caleb Ogaku has asked the general public to disregard the activities of unscrupulous individuals who are extorting money from unsuspecting job seekers claiming to represent the organization.

Mr Ogaku revealed this to The Graphic in an interview at the State headquarters located at the first 200 unit along Ibaji quarters in Lokoja.
He noted that the command has over the last week been awash with some disturbing reports of illegal recriutment by some individuals and organization using an unspecified office around Paparanda Square in Lokoja

He revealed that contrary to the reports making rounds that N70,000-N75,000 is being charged for recriutment into the corps, the actual amount for the purchase of the form is N1500 with no extra charges.
"Based on the magnitude of this criminal act, which is capable of bringing the hard earned reputation of the organization under disrepute, the general public is asked to disregard any of such information" He added.

The State Commandant advised members of the general public who ae interested in enlisting into the organization to visit its website www.peacecorpsofnigeria.org or its office in Lokoja.

CIHP commemorates World AIDS Day in Kogi State

By Eunice Emmanuel-Bagi

The Kogi State Program manager for the Center for Integrated Health Program (CIHP), Doctor Usman Zakari has called for more public awareness against HIV and the stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS in Kogi state.

Doctor Usman made the call during a road walk as part of activities to commemorate the World AIDS Day in Lokoja, Kogi State.
He noted that the theme for the year "Hands up for HIV prevention" was to call for attitudinal change toward the disease and to stop discrimination against people living with the disease.

He revealed that although Nigeria has the highest burden of HIV/AIDS in the world, the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Kogi State  had dropped from 5.8% to 1.4% in the last few years. Adding that the global community is working dilligently to ensure that the world target to achieve a HIV/AIDS free generation by the year 2030 is realised.

Doctor Usman also revealed that since 2004, over 34 billion dollars had been injected into the world fight against HIV/AIDS through the United States Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

"As we commemorate the World AIDS Day, we stand in solidarity with 78million people who have been infected with HIV and remember the 35 million who have died from AIDS. I enjoin the Government of Kogi State and stakeholders to galvanise efforts towards ensuring that the disease is eradicated". He said.