SAVOURING THE EXPERIENCE!
Its another conference year, and this time all road leads to Dakar, the capital city of Senegal for the 15th International Conference on Aids & STI's in Africa (ICASA 2008) which will hold from 3-7 Dec,where His excellency Prof. Souleymane Mboup would be welcoming delegates to His wonderful country, as the chief host of the event. This conference which stands out as Africa's leading forum for discussion of HIV developments and trends, is the place of hope for africa’s future in defeating the challenges of HIV & AIDS, and its is a “flower-bed” for emerging leaders that will write the new world order in every sphere. All had been done at W.I.N for our reprsentative to attend this year’s conference, but are lack of funds thwarted our plans and efforts. So,we are savouring the unforgettable past experience of the last edition of the conference in Abuja-the Icasa 2005.
Many are those who think, the International Conference on Aids and STI’s in Africa, is all about health talks, analysis, abstract presentation and stories about ARV’s and Microbicides. But, alas! It is more than that. Because, it is a melting pot where great ideas for Africa’s liberation lies. We had an experience of the conference in 2005, and we have since then understood the reason why we (young people) need to be involved in this cause to safeguard the future. Our future!
For more than three years, we have been voluntarily involved in the fight against the spread of the HIV/AIDS infection in Ogun state, Nigeria. Now known as the Wellbeing Initiative Nigeria, we began our journey with a campus group known as the Campus Students Against Aids (CASAA) in early 2005.After which we moved to become part of the pioneer members of the EDUTAINMENTORS, a student organisation with a broader perspective of health issues.particularly , awareness/advocacy on HIV & AIDS in september 2005. The EDUTAINMENTORS had three functional wings; the music,drama/poetry & dance, with all focusing on educating,entertaining and becoming mentors to our peers and younger target audience. And all these we strived to acheive.
In december 2005, Abuja, the beautiful capital city of Nigeria played host to the prestigious 14th edition of the ICASA programme, tagged “Hiv/Aids and the family”. Actually we had prepared a theme song (titled-hope is here) for the conference, but logistics and some other vices beyond us, outplayed our efforts & desire to render the song at the conferences’opening ceremony . But fortunately,though a young, not well recognized organization of young people, we were opportuned to perform some of our powerful songs at the conference's film festival centre and the community village also known as the Yar’adua centres respectively. And on several occassions, irrespective of thier age, status and number,we sang to the amazement of several wonderful and extremely appreciative audiences. The performance at The Foursquare Gospel Church Asokoro (including Hiv/Aids awareness songs) crowned the strings of a wonderful conference experience.It was life changing, and we sure left the audience at every performance, better equipped with useful information, than we found them.
We also had the opportunity to dine with participants of the conference who are living positively with the disease, at their lounge. it was sure an eye opener and an unforgetable experience for all of us present at the lounge.
We met with quite a number of people which we can't remember all by names now, but the few we can’t forget includes; Mr.Richard Mofe Damijo-a veteran Nollywood star,who gave a talk at a seminar at the film festival venue, Dr.Femi Soyinka, Seun Kuti-son of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti,the legendary afrobeat king, Ambassador Dayo Israel-ADYF, Miss Catherine- a canadian delegate, Mr Felix, Apostle Emmanuel Etim-CEO,Center For Development Action International, Mr Tony Ajibade(lounge coordinator), Mr Joe-president of YASIA/N, Mr Femi George-leader of the SURVIVOR team,Mr Buzuz-member of the survivors team, that did awareness walk from lagos to abuja for the conference. Pastor Mrs Ibukun Odusote, Pastor B.B Olowodola-presiding pastor 4square gospel church asokoro district, Hope Worldwide representative from kenya, Queen Williams, Miss Jaqueline-the representative of Ithaca films USA. Ali baba-Ace Nigerian comedian, Miss Samantha-a delegate from swaziland, and the President of the 14th ICASA conference,Professor Soyinka, amongst others.
The International Conference Centre , The Yar’adua Centre,The Merit House, The National Radio House, Rockview Hotels, Le-Meridien, Sheraton Hotels, all in the beautiful city of Abuja, were among notable places, where notable events that we cannot forget in a long while took place. Icasa2005/Abuja- the place of the paradigm shift!