‘Shuga’ comes to town
The award-winning TV drama about youth, relationships and sex, is medium employed by MTV Base and MTV Staying Alive Foundation in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to combat a lack of awareness and misinformation about HIV, sexual responsibility and teen pregnancy among […]
The award-winning TV drama about youth, relationships and sex, is medium employed by MTV Base and MTV Staying Alive Foundation in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to combat a lack of awareness and misinformation about HIV, sexual responsibility and teen pregnancy among Nigerian youth.
The event brought together personalities in the entertainment and health sectors like Georgia Arnold, Executive Director, MTV Staying Alive Foundation; Emmanuel Alhassan, Director, Resource Mobilisation for the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA); Mairo Mandara, Nigeria Country Representative, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and Dr Okey Nwanyanwu, CDC Country Director, Nigeria.
Alhassan, commented that, ”The Nigerian government is delighted to support this important youth education initiative which complements our on-going education projects at all levels of society. Shuga’s subtle messaging will not only ensure greater understanding of HIV prevention and treatment measures among young people but communicate important messages about tolerance and acceptance”.
Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, VIMN Africa said MTV Base is proud and excited to bring ‘Shuga’ to Nigeria for the first time. “We are delighted that this award-winning series and multimedia campaign will be using its muscle to shed light on important public health issues affecting youth, and promoting meaningful behaviour change while leveraging Nigerian creativity and talent.”
For Arnold initiative behind the launch is to strike a chord with young Nigerians and provoke a significant shift in their attitudes and behaviour towards sexual health and associated public health issues. Bringing ‘Shuga’ to Nigeria according to Naya, is a very smart move as youths in Nigeria need to take the importance of sexual health seriously.
“Efforts such as ‘Shuga’ that seek to expand knowledge about HIV among young people are critical to helping us achieve an AIDS-free generation. Raising awareness is key to keeping this and future generations healthy and able to lead productive lives,” said Shirley Dady, PEPFAR Country Coordinator, Nigeria which has indicated interest to be a part of the campaign.
Other guests at the launch include CEO Beat FM, Deji Awokoya, Chris Attoh, Gbenro Ajibade, IllBliss, Alex Ekubo, Oreka Goddis, Toke Makinwa and Jumai Shaba amongst others.