Plateau State Government through the office of the Executive Secretary, Plateau Aids Control Agency, PLACA, has organized a thanksgiving service to appreciate God and create awareness on HIV and AIDS among believers.
The church service was held at COCIN headquarters Church in Jos, Plateau State capital where all line ministries, agencies and other advocate groups like the Civil Society Organizations were in attendance.
Speaking during the service, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State applauded the initiative and appreciated the Executive Director of the Plateau State Aids Control Agency PLACA, Mrs. Esther Turaki for what she is doing through the office in the fight against the pandemic.
In his words, “when we came on board, PLACA was there, and I want to thank God that we have Mrs. Turaki, she was not looking for a job. She brought in the Christian commitment to the fight against HIV and AIDS. ” Mutfwang said.
The Governor added that the only cure to HIV and AIDS is to follow God hence, the call on everyone to move closer to God.
Also speaking, former Nigeria President, General Olusegun Obasanjo while speaking at the service, recalled his days in office and the commitment of world leaders who injected billions of naira in the fight against HIV and AIDS pandemic globally.
He encouraged all the stakeholders in the fight to continue with the awareness and ensure people get to know their status and to stay safe.
The former Nigeria President used the service to urged Plateau citizens to manage their diversity in love as the God they serve is a God of diversity.
The Executive Director of PLACA, Mrs. Esther Turaki said the Sunday service was to appreciate God for how He has sustained people with HIV and to raise awareness on the epidemic.
Mrs. Turaki added that the service was also for the agency to renew its commitment in the fight against HIV and AIDS in the state and beyond.
She appreciated Gov. Caleb Mutfwang whom she described as people’s governor for prioritizing the wellbeing of the citizens and providing the agency with resources to achieve the vision of the office.
Mrs. Turaki said it’s unfortunate that many people thinks HIV has gone, and that is why she said they need to raise awareness for people to know that HIV is still much around and the need for the people to know their status to live a positive life.
The planning committee chairman of the 2024 World Aids Day celebration and Plateau State coordinator of Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, Rev. Christopher Damcher acknowledged the support and cooperation of all stakeholders in making the event a success.
Rev. Damcher said the theme for 2024 is “Take the right paths to end AIDS by 2030” which focuses on prevention of mother to child transmission. He appreciated PLACA for bringing critical stakeholders who are working on HIV in the planning, and according to him is the reason behind the robust outing this year.
He said activities for the celebration started with a press conference by the Commissioner for Health and Jumma’at prayer at central Mosque in Jos on Friday and the Sunday Service at COCIN headquarters Church on Sunday while the main celebration will be on Monday with symposium at Crest Hotel Jos.
The Sunday service at COCIN headquarters Church also coincided with a special thanksgiving service organized by the Plateau PDP, lawmakers sacked by the Court of Appeal last year November.
Hon. Gwottson Fom, the former Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and member representing Jos South Constituency, said as believers, the Bible teach them to give thanks to God in all circumstances, which is the basis they returned to the church to thank God for what happened to them one year ago.
Earlier in a sermon during the service, Rev. Agwom Azi read from Romans. 6:18 and Deuteronomy 28:1-2, and spoke on the topic “Living in holiness brings freedom. “
He said living in holiness gives one freedom to approach God, to relate with God, to walk with God and also give one freedom to enter the gate of God.
The preacher said, “to enjoy the freedom, we must obey God’s command fully and follow Jesus as his disciples and by thanking God in all circumstances and carefully following all his commands.”