PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

U.S. Mission Showcases Winners of 2008 World AIDS Day Poster Contest

Date: February 17, 2009
Venue: Abuja

The U.S. Mission opened an exhibition on February 17 of posters submitted by Nigerian youth to "Celebrate Life" as part of the 2008 World AIDS Day activities.  The exhibition at the Cyprian Ekwensi Center for Arts and Culture is being held during the America National Week celebrations to highlight the partnership between the United States and Nigeria through the President's Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief, more commonly known as PEPFAR, to address the impact of HIV/AIDS on the people of Nigeria.  The exhibition runs through February 20.

“Celebrate Life.” is an international poster contest sponsored by PEPFAR and the U.S. Mission and features works from three age groups – ages 5-9; ages 10-15; and ages 16-20.  Through the poster contest, PEPFAR is involving young people in the fight against HIV/AIDS through self-expression – "Celebrating Life" because HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence. 

Young artists were encouraged to display their wide range of creativity and talent. In addition to quality of the artwork, entries were evaluated based on the themes of the contest – mobilizing participation by youth, partnerships with the American people in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and the “Celebrate Life” message.

Featured in this exhibition are entries for first to third place winners in each of the age groups.  (We received two entries only for Group 3.) Also on exhibition are posters awarded “honorable mention” and additional posters that received particularly high marks from the panel of judges.

In addition to quality of the artwork, entries were evaluated based on the themes of the contest – mobilizing participation by youth, partnerships with the American people in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and the “Celebrate Life” message.  First place winners will compete with winners from other countries as part of the international competition.

PEPFAR is the largest commitment to combat a single disease in history. Through PEPFAR, the U.S. Government has provided $18.8 billion in HIV/AIDS funding worldwide, with a reauthorization of up to $48 billion for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria over the next five years, 2008-2013. 

Winners and Honorable Mentions

Group 1 (Ages 5-9)

• 1st Place: Anna Kangume – African Community School, Asokoro, Abuja
• 2nd Place: Kawojo Ihiabe – African Community School, Asokoro, Abuja
• 3rd Place: Kate Emedo – Redeemer’s Private School Living Spring, Abuja

     Honorable Mention

• Jannie Esakome – The Dayspring Crèche, Nursery and Primary School, Abuja
• Duke Olisa Chiaha – Redeemer’s Private School Living Spring, Abuja

Group 2 (Ages 10-15)

• 1st Place: Bolu Alabi – African Community School, Asokoro, Abuja
• 2nd Place: Marvelous Temitayo Imabeh), Abuja - 5624
• 3rd Place: Comfort Godwin – Redeemer’s Private School Living Spring, Abuja

     Honorable Mention

• Apeh Victor - The Dayspring Creche, Nursery and Primary School, Abuja
• Ubong Francis Abraham - Junior Secondary School Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja

Group 3 (Ages 16-20)

• 1st Place: Odeyemi Samson – Junior Secondary School Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja
• 2nd Place: Ekponoimoh Kyrian Junior Secondary School Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja