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AKOKO NORTHWEST LG BOSS, ESAN OWOLABI PROMISES ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR “DRAG ON” AUTHOR, SIJI BALOGUN
“I’ll give you my support” declared Hon. Esan Owolabi, Executive Chairman of Akoko North-West Local Government during the official presentation of the book “Drag On – A True Experience of Olusiji Balogun” at the local government secretariat in Oke-agbe, by the author himself, Aremo Olusiji Balogun, Member, Transition Committee of Irun/Ogbagi LCDA.
Hon. Esan who commends the courageous effort of the author in writing the book and the bold step in correcting the erroneous impression most people have about people living with HIV and the attendant discrimination declared his readiness to give all the support to promote the message contained in the book.
Hon. Esan also commended the government of Ondo State in all it’s efforts directed to help in the fight against discrimination especially with the appointment of Olusiji Balogun to serve his community.
The author of the book Aremo Olusiji Balogun, at the presentation use the occasion to thank His Excellency, Hon. Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for giving him the opportunity to serve as a Transition Committee Member, also expressed his gratitude for the support received by Hon. Esan Owolabi towards ensuring the realization of publishing the book with the primary aim of showing that being diagnosed positive of any infection especially HIV is not the end of life but an opportunity to live a better and healthy life
The book is a chronicle of his experiences especially when he was diagnosed positive of HIV Virus in 2019 and how he survived the stigmatization and discrimination.
Balogun who said the presentation of the book to the Chairman is in conformity with the saying that charity begins at home, as an indigene of the local government. He encouraged people to go for HIV test because knowing ones status will go a long way to save the person from going through what he called his “medical ordeal’.
He said “After observing every protocol to guard against being infected by the virus, I still tested positive which led to my confusion. However, to God be the glory, I’m not only alive today but healthier and stronger than when I was diagnosed positive to HIV. The joy in all is that while the mode of infection remains a mystery. After testing positive to HIV in 2019, I was declared medically fit in 2022, as the virus was no longer detectable in my system and cannot transmit same to anyone, a level medical professionals called “U=U, Undetectable equals Untransmitable”
In his words, “Based on my experiences, HIV is not a killer disease as we were told. What kills most is the discrimination and stigmatization, which always led to treating the condition with confidentiality and secrecy”.
Balogun appeal to government agencies, stakeholders and civil organizations to engage citizens more on public enlightenment, advocacy on right information on HIV as just like any other disease or ailment as against the old narrative of “HIV is a killer disease” which leads victims to commiting suicide because of the attendant public humiliation, discrimination and stigmatization, which he also experienced.
Balogun also use the avenue to thank all the Transition Committee of Irun/Ogbagi LCDA as led by the Chairman Hon Mohammed Taofeek for their supports to making the publication a reality and the acceptance despite huge criticism from some quarters in his appointment as a member.
Aremo Olusiji use the occasion to also give thanks to Hon. Tiamiyu Fatai Atere, Member, House of Assembly representing Constituency 1, Akoko North-West LGA for his efforts and His Royal Highness, Oba Aderemi Ilesanmi Ogidan, Alase of Ase-Akoko for given him an opportunity to serve the people with the support of Hon Kehinde Obanla aka Ajapara. Chairman of APC in Akoko North-West LGA.
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