SPEECHES

DCM Thomas Furey

Remarks

Launch of the National Plan of Action

for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children

May 15, 2007
Abuja

Protocols.

I bring you this goodwill message, on behalf of the American people through our Embassy in Nigeria, to mark the launch of two landmark initiatives by Your Excellency, President Olusegun Obasanjo: the National Plan of Action for Orphans and Vulnerable Children and the Gender Policy.

As we continue to advance Nigeria and America’s joint implementation of our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, I would like to recognize the galvanizing impact Your Excellency, President Olusegun Obasanjo, has had on the HIV/AIDS programs in this country.

Your commitment to this issue is apparent in your actions and words.

You and Ambassador Campbell together launched this ground-breaking partnership back on World AIDS Day in 2004.

Since then, you have publicly donated blood in support of safe blood efforts; you have launched the national heart-to-heart campaign; you have been publicly tested for HIV in support of voluntary counseling and testing programs; and you have supported a bill preventing stigma and discrimination against HIV-positive people.

But most importantly, you have advocated on the behalf of those infected and affected by AIDS.

For that, the world health community – and the people of Nigeria – are forever grateful.

Today’s launch of the new National Plan of Action for Orphans and Vulnerable Children is further evidence that your leadership, and the support of the Government of Nigeria, will continue to be felt well into the future.

Nigeria is home to an estimated 1.8 million children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS – and this number is projected to increase to 3.4 million by the year 2015.

A variety of factors contribute to the growth in the number of vulnerable children.

These include:

Parental deaths due to HIV/AIDS and other causes; the persistence of widespread poverty, currently being addressed through the Federal Government’s NEEDs and SEEDs programs; conflict in particular regions; and continued gender inequalities, despite the efforts of the Federal Government under the leadership Your Excellency to change this.

In addition, Nigeria has a large population of children who are themselves infected with HIV, and who are currently in need of treatment or will require treatment in the future.

However, along with these enormous challenges come enormous opportunities.

It is these opportunities that inspire those of us who are long term partners of the Nigerian Government under the leadership of Your Excellency, Mr. President, and of the people of Nigeria, to take action.

Thus, the new National Plan of Action for Orphans and Vulnerable Children aims to support the Government of Nigeria’s goals of: prolonging the lives of 350,000 Nigerians with anti-retroviral treatment; preventing 1.1 million new HIV infections; and providing care and support to 1.7 million Nigerians currently living with HIV/AIDS, including 400,000 children.

These are ambitious goals, and I am proud of the American contribution to the Nigerian Government’s altogether commendable efforts on behalf of the victims of HIV/AIDS and their families.

The approval of the National Plan of Action for Orphans and Vulnerable Children by Your Excellency’s Cabinet in February 2007, as well the recommendation for its approval by the National Council of States, is evidence of the importance the Government of Nigeria places on this issue.

In addition, Honorable Minister Lambo, you are also to be congratulated for your leadership and tenacity in ensuring the launch of this Plan during your tenure.

In addition, I would like to recognize the contribution of our implementing partners: the ENHANCE Project, the GHAIN Project, and Catholic Relief Services, who have all supported the development and production of this Plan through funds provided by USAID.

Finally, I would like to mention our other partners, who have shown their humanitarian dedication by providing treatment to children infected with HIV/AIDS.

The University of Maryland, Columbia University and Harvard University all provide crucial support for expanding children’s access to HIV/AIDS services in Nigeria.

It is my sincerest hope that this National Plan of Action for Orphans and Vulnerable Children will provide care and support to the millions of Nigerian children who desperately need help – as they are the future of Nigeria, and, indeed, the future of our common humanity.

In addition, the new Nigeria Gender Policy, which is replacing the Women’s Policy, is an important step forward in addressing gender inequality in Nigeria.

I am proud that the American Government has been able to support its development – as the elevation of the status of women will help bolster the strength of the Nigerian family as well as ensure protection for Nigeria’s children.

We anticipate that the new Gender policy will provide the framework for the recognition of all gender issues as important components in the attainment of Nigeria’s national development goals, and will ultimately promote women’s rights, social justice, and equity for all Nigerians.

Thank you.