HIV: Miss Positive beauty pageant begins Nov 23
By Olayinka Latona
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

In order to check or eliminate the taboo associated with the social vulnerability of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and to signify a major landmark in the campaign against HIV/AIDS, Mannerism Communications (MACOM) in conjunction the body of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA)is hosting the first ever “Miss Positive, Nigeria “beauty pageant.







The contest is unique as it is aimed at developing a national movement for an intensive awareness campaign against HIV/AIDS stigmatisation with primary focus on youths and adolescents.

The event is scheduled for November 23- 28, 2009. Suzan Olori, Project Manager, noted that the eventual winner will reign for one year and will be responsible for executing a HIV/AIDS project in several communities in Nigeria.

Project Director, Mr. Ojo Martins, told Good Health Weekly that the Miss Positive beauty pageant seeks to promote openness, an active lifestyle and tolerance for PLWA in all spheres of life. He said the beauty contest is going to involve both HIV/AIDS positive and negative women, aged 18- 28.

“This contest is going to be an annual event. Our aim is to promote openness and active life styles for those infected and thereby sensitise the populace. The avenue will also provide a unique opportunities for brands to come-up close with the general public through their corporate social responsibilities.”

Apart of the essence of Miss Positive beauty pageant, Ojo said the event is also about networking with PLWA. “Miss Positive is beyond gathering of people and telling them about HIV/AIDS or advising them to use condoms. Rather it is coming out to tell the world that I am positive and how do the people protect me and my interest? It is different from other approach or what we are used to.

“It is an approach where anybody that is positive is proud and once he or she knows that he will not be stigmatised, it will be easier for such person to live an open life.

http://odili.net/news/source/2009/oct/21/315.html

One day we shall have ms Armed robber beauty pageant in Nigeria.

U sure say people go come out for d peagent?

toba:

U sure say people go come out for d peagent?

You sabi person wey wan compete?

This is absolute madness,

Aloy~Emeka:

One day we shall have ms Armed robber beauty pageant in Nigeria.

. On a serious note though,if it helps reduce the stigma usually associated with the disease in our society, I wholeheartedly support it.

toba:

U sure say people go come out for d peagent?

Me sef wonder ooo.

Aloy~Emeka:

You sabi person wey wan compete?

Yes.
Candylips and . . .

The intentions are good but. . .errr . . . I don't know about pageant oh!

This same Naija where we have homosexuals and lesbians in the closet.
This gotta be a joke

toba:

U sure say people go come out for d peagent?

Didnt people come out for koko mansion? U underestimate the power of money.

abeg make we see pictures of those contesting. . .no go area

hmmmm, make we wait and c!

it will not happen

Pageant here, pageant there, miss this, miss that. It has become funny.
Here in Port harcourt, we have seen different pageants like miss Oroworukwo, miss Oro-Abali.
The latest one (lwkmd) is miss Abali Motor Park. Chei, Miss Motor park.
No wonder every woman now can be miss something.
May be we can formulate our own.
Miss flat ass, miss big boobs, miss blake lips, miss ugly face e.t.c.

miss spanky, miss Missy, miss corruption, miss bribery, miss 419, miss poverty, miss hunger etc.

Everybody, please check your status!!! You just might get a surprise! But not to worry. If you are positive, you can join the contest. Who knows - you just might win the 1st prize.

Aloy~Emeka:

One day we shall have ms Armed robber beauty pageant in Nigeria.

lwkmd,

I nor fit shout

Its a good idea though,  anybody can be positive to Hiv,even very innocent people contract it,indeed stigmatisation and criticism must be eliminated, but for the beauty  peagent ? na im  i no come know oooOOO , which fine agbani daregoat wan talk say e get HIV/AIDS? ,who wan show face say e get am ,,people who's been hiding in their closet may not want to get exposed cos once that is done people will start running from them. i aint sure that will work here in Naija .

koolchicco:

Yes.
Candylips and . . .

Candy must not see this <hahhaha>

HBABE might qualify, na sooo sex she dey like.

this is ludacris!!!!!
besides it wont change a thing

both HIV/AIDS positive and negative women, aged 18- 28.

How will they separate them or will they compete together,just asking ?

funny case but i guess they want those that are positive to came out

Na only Naija this rubbish fit happen.

Aloy~Emeka:

One day we shall have ms Armed robber beauty pageant in Nigeria.

I CANT STOP LAUGHING!!! MR & MISS ARMED ROBBER INDEED!

what is this? Nigeria and this "Miss" nonsense.
the only important miss is MBGN.
the rest are just rubbish.

is this a way to promote HIV or what? they need to remember that it is real!
how is having a Miss HIV positive going to do anything?
this is very laughable!!!

@ spyker, i swear you're hilarious!!

of all the posts and reply that has come in here , not one , one has made any sense or has said anything intelligent here

just just condemnation, and curses.this is the stigmatisation they are talking about.

you all dont seem to get the point, here in nigeria tthey have a narrow minded view on the subject of HIV/Aids , its not about the crown or money now

look at the bigger picture what this will do is to enlighten people on the subject and let them know what its all about .and to see that people are actually living a positive and promising life and still manage the disease with adequate treatment

it takes a very learned person to read a post and understand and then reply with good suggestions.

i suggest you all read this.

uzoo:

of all the posts and reply that has come in here , not one , one has made any sense or has said anything intelligent here

just just condemnation, and curses.this is the stigmatisation they are talking about.

you all dont seem to get the point, here in nigeria tthey have a narrow minded view on the subject of HIV/Aids , its not about the crown or money now

look at the bigger picture what this will do is to enlighten people on the subject and let them know what its all about .and to see that people are actually living a positive and promising life and still manage the disease with adequate treatment

it takes a very learned person to read a post and understand and then reply with good suggestions.

i suggest you all read this.

like i said, how is some petty pageant gonna do that?
come on!! is that the best they could come up with?
na wa for naija oooo

Obstacles come i go jump am pass!!,i am sure the organizers and the pageants are also positives, ,but any way,"THOU SHALL NOT STIGMATIZE"