BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

ABOUT 80 per cent of students are positive to the dreaded Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which caused AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), a disease that has killed millions of people world-wide including Nigeria.

This was disclosed at the 2nd Edition of Catch Them Young (CTY) 2011 programme agenda organised by Shell Women’s Network (SWN), held in Lagos recently.

Over 500 secondary school students from 28 colleges attended the programme at MUSON Centre, Shell Hall, Onikan, with the theme as — “Your Future is in your Hands” Shell Women’s Network is a volunteer organisation consisting of Shell companies in Nigeria employees who seek to create an enabling platform for its members to develop, mentor others and grow professionally.

Mrs. Sarah Ajose-Adeogun, National Co-ordinator, SWN, said that through the programme, they hope to inspire

•Mrs. Sarah Ajose-Adeogun, National Co-ordinator, SWN

Nigerian youths to make good choices.

“In education, in life partners and in a great future in general, by making a conscious decision today that no matter the obstacles, you will achieve because you have the power to do so, because your future is in your hands and the decisions you make today will decide what that future will be — good or bad,” she told the audience in her welcome address.

Giving the HIV/AIDS talk, Mrs. Jennifer Olorunsola of Peer Health Educators, said the first reported case of AIDS in Nigeria was in 1986.

“Now, 4.1 per cent of the population, that is about 6.15 million are HIV positive, which are only reported cases. The figure is higher than this, which is more than the entire population of Sierra Leone.”

According to Jennifer, 5.1 per cent of Lagos population are HIV positive higher in Lagos Island with 9.1 per cent affected, while 80 per cent of students are positive.

“This can be scaring, not only for education, but can also terminate your life as well. If you get AIDS, one becomes very ill, because the HIV has weakened your immune system, leading to loss of weight, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, diarrhea, etc.”

She advised students to avoid sexual intercourse which must be discouraged, pointing to other sex-related diseases or STI (Sexual Transmitted Infections) such as gonorrhea, syphilis, vaginal discharge, herpes.

“Think very well. HIV is not transmitted casually, but through specific act of sex – oral, anal or direct, body fluid, blood transfusion, mother to baby by breast-feeding and use of unsterilized instruments like needles, syringes and even razor blades.

Most effective way however is abstaining from sex. Students must not get involved in sex, if even to avoid pregnancy. HIV not transmitted by hugging, handshake, sneezing, toilet, nor in swimming pool”.

She asked the students: “Can you care for a baby at your age after delivery?

For the boys, can you be a father? Definitely not. Please abstain, stay safe, complete your education and be future leaders.”

Mrs. Beatrice Spaine, a graduate of Chemical Engineering, UNIBEN, now GM, Business Planning and Performance Management, Shell Sub-Saharan Africa, who spoke briefly on role model, said that we all have idea of what we want to be, and the choice made today will determine .

“I believe you can be whatever you want to be. Believe in your self. Read books, if you want to do well. Learn early to organise yourself. Do what is right always. Do home work. Discipline will bring bright future.”

Avoid distractions, be focused, have a dream, work hard, make well cut out choices, take good decisions and when in doubt, talk to your parents, teachers, elders because one can make errors.

Mr. William Udofia, a maintenance/reliability engineer, Shell, spoke on opportunity, reminded the students that, “today, you’ve been given opportunity on what to decide your future. Be focused, be disciplined.” He urged the youths to make the best out of any opportunity.

Miss Okoh Ehimhen, a Petroleum Engineer, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, who holds First Class degree in Chemical Engineering and M.Sc Environmental Engineering from Cambridge University, UK told her own success story to encourage the students.

“One must be very competitive and then try to prove a point by being successful in your chosen profession. Look at the future and say what will I be at a given time and what will I do to get there. Be focused,” she told the young ones.

Mr. Fela Durotoye, an OAU graduate of Computer Science and Economics, holds MBA and Mphil; author of acclaimed academic transformation book titled: “The 17 Secrets of High Flying Students,” described as prolific business strategist and corporate activator, a nation builder, also fired the zeal and imagination of the students with his highly motivational talk.

“The future is everything you can be, but has not become, anything you can have, but not yet possessed. Future not in your minds, but in you hands.”

He asked the students to introduce themselves to each other “in your future capacity”, and then inviting them to come out and say what they want to be. Some said MD World Bank, Governor, President, UN Secretary-General, Astronaut, and so on.

“Know what to do, do it. You can not win a Pulitzer Prize if you just think about a book without writing it, nor win a Grammy Award for a movie or hit song not made.”

Others who spoke during the Role Model sessions were Mrs. Yemisi Ayeni, MD, Shell Nigeria closed Pension Fund Administration Limited, Mrs. Abayomi Adeleye, Head Strategy and Planning, Shell Nigeria Communication, Afueri Edeki, IT Project Manager, Engineering Applications, (SNEPCo) and Crockett W. Oaks III, Regional Head of Business Integrity Department — Africa, SPDC of Nigeria Limited.



In summary, a distinction was made between destiny and future. That parents may not necessarily choose professions for their children,but can guide, because now possibilities are many. Parents can be supportive, not dictatorial.

Need for counseling was stressed. It does not matter what you want to do, but be the best. Be good citizens, worthy citizens, bear in mind that hard work pays and at the end, success will come.

Pray, work with God, do what is right. Education is the key. Don’t take anything for granted.

Former First Lady of Cross River State, Mrs. Onari Duke was the Special Guest of Honour, who also gave some stimulating remarks. Others present were Mrs. Risikat Akiyode, representing the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bimpe Martins representing the First Lady of Lagos State and Mr. Austin Olorunisola, representing the chief executive of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company.