NEWS

Nigeria Has High Rates Of HIV Infection In The World, Just 10% Get Tested -CNN

Published

7 years ago

October 19, 2017

Universal Cure For HIV, Cancer Underway – Nobel Laureate

Nigeria has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world, but just 10% of the population get tested.

Sexual health tests in Nigeria can be a harrowing ordeal.
In addition to the anxiety of discovering their results, visitors to public clinics must face the stigma around sexual activity that remains prevalent in Nigerian society.

“People stare a lot when you go for testing, especially if you are unmarried,” says Vivian*, a cosmetics store manager from Abuja.

“They look at you like you are wayward or naughty.”
Many Nigerians escape social judgment by avoiding tests, with deadly consequences. In a country with one the world’s highest rates of HIV infection, just 10% of the population has been tested for the disease, according to government statistics.
Prevalence of Hepatitis B, another sexually transmitted killer, is even higher.

But Vivian is one of the first customers of a service that allows Nigerians to avoid choosing between their safety and their reputation.

Fresh hope

Anonymous service
SlideSafe packages are brightly-colored and give no indication of their contents.
“You could have it in front of your mother and she wouldn’t know,” quips company founder Florida Uzoaru.
SlideSafe packages give nothing away.
SlideSafe packages give nothing away.
The Lagos-based startup is distributing self-testing kits for HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis on a strictly anonymous basis, as well as contraceptives for men and women.

Users can order the packages through the company website for between 2,000 to 7,500 Naira ($5-20), and then perform simple blood tests in their home, receiving the results in 15 minutes.

SlideSafe provides provides a step-by-guide to the process, as well as counseling before and after the test for users who are often nervous.
SlideSafe founder Florida Uzoaru.
SlideSafe founder Florida Uzoaru.

The major challenge for the company is to earn public trust, says Uzoaru, who has a degree in public health policy and a background at healthcare NGOs.

“People are very sensitive about sexual health and want to know you can be trusted,” she says. “Trust comes from people knowing you are reliable, but our customers don’t want to tell other people about us because of the stigma.”

These are early days for SlideSafe, which has sold around 600 kits in the Lagos area. But Uzoaru has big plans to expand into new cities, to test for more diseases, and to establish a dedicated sexual health clinic.

Qualified support
There is growing support for self-testing as a method of controlling sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Nigeria.
The head of the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA) has given a qualified endorsement of self-tests, with the caveat that the products must be government-approved and used in conjunction with expert counseling.
A survey of policy-makers and stakeholders found a majority in favor of introducing self-tests for HIV.

SOURCE ~ CNN

Related Topics:CNN HIV InfectioN Nigeria

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NEWS

Police Arrest Portable Over G-Wagon Debt

Published

17 hours ago

May 15, 2024

Reporter

Police Arrest Portable Over G-Wagon Debt | fab.ng

Popular Nigerian musician Portable is facing legal trouble over an unpaid debt. The singer is known for his sometimes controversial persona. The drama centres around a high-end purchase: a G-Wagon he bought from a car dealer.

According to news reports, Portable purchased the luxury car for a hefty ₦27 million but only paid ₦13 million upfront. This left a remaining balance of ₦14 million. The car dealer reportedly tried contacting Portable to collect the remaining sum. The musician allegedly kept claiming the vehicle had mechanical problems as a way to avoid paying. Unwilling to accept these excuses any longer, the car dealer decided to take a firmer stance and report the matter to the authorities.

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, the Lagos State Police confirmed Portable’s arrest. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin stated that the musician was arrested specifically for defaulting on his G-Wagon payment.

“Yes, Portable has been arrested. He bought G-Wagon for ₦27m, paid ₦13m, and refused to pay the rest, claiming the vehicle was bad. We arrested him today,” Hundeyin confirmed.

This incident adds another chapter to Portable’s already colourful public image. It remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved and whether it will impact his musical career.

Check out more details here.

MUSIC

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Beats Drake’s “Family Matters” To Billboard #1 Spot

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2024

Reporter

"Not Like Us" beats "Family Matters" To Billboard #1 Spot | fab.ng

Kendrick Lamar‘s latest diss track, “Not Like Us,” has landed the coveted number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This marks Kendrick’s second chart-topping single in 2024, following the success of “Like That” by Metro Booming & Future.

“Not Like Us” is the final chapter in Kendrick’s rap battle with Drake, and many fans believe it solidified his victory. This track, which Mustard produced, completely outshines Drake’s response song, “Family Matters.” “Family Matters” debuted at a much lower number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Billboard Hot 100: #1(new) Not Like Us, @kendricklamar.

— chart data (@chartdata) May 13, 2024

Here’s where things get interesting:

Kendrick’s entire diss track trilogy dominated the top 10. “Euphoria” climbed eight spots to number 3, and “Like That” (by Metro Booming & Future) rose two places to number 2.

“Not Like Us” also shattered records on its path to the top. It became the most-streamed rap song on Spotify in the US in a single day, and it nearly broke Drake’s global single-day record for a rap song on Spotify (held by “Girls Want Girls” featuring Lil Baby).

Sales-wise, “Not Like Us” boasted the biggest debut week for any song in 2024, with 510,000 units sold. It fell short only to Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight,” which debuted with 560,000 units.

Biggest song debut sales weeks of 2024 so far (US units):

#1 Fortnight 560K
#2 Not Like Us 510K
#3 Like That 455K
#4 Down Bad 385K
#5 I Can Do It With A Broken Heart 340K
#6 The Tortured Poets Department 340K
#7 So Long, London 335K
#8 My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys 325K…

— chart data (@chartdata) May 13, 2024

This chart dominance by Kendrick Lamar’s diss tracks proves that the music, not just the feud, resonated with listeners. “Not Like Us” not only secured the number one spot but also propelled his other diss tracks up the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying his success in this musical battle.

MUSIC

BNXN Bags His First RIAA Certification With “Mood”

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2024

Reporter

BNXN Bags His First RIAA Certification With "Mood" | Fab.ng

Nigerian music star BNXN (formerly Buju) is on a roll with the hit song “Mood.” It just hit a major milestone in the US music industry.

Remember “Mood”? “Mood” the catchy track BNXN collaborated on with Wizkid for his critically acclaimed album “Made In Lagos (Deluxe Edition).” Well, “Mood” has just been certified gold by the RIAA!

This might sound complex, but here’s the scoop:

The Gold Standard

The RIAA, or Recording Industry Association of America, is a big deal in the US music world. When a song or album earns a Gold or Platinum record from the RIAA, it means it’s achieved super impressive sales or streams. Basically, “Mood” is a bona fide hit in the US!

Reaching Gold Status

So how does a song reach Gold status? The RIAA counts one “unit sale” as a physical album purchase, a download of the song itself (although 10 downloads equal one unit sale), or 1,500 streams on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. According to the RIAA, “Mood” has officially surpassed 500,000 unit sales, making it Gold certified!

🚨Wizkid’s “Mood” featuring Bnxn is now RIAA certified gold 🌟 📀 pic.twitter.com/FSYg7dPo68

— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) May 9, 2024

Benefits of Certification

Earning RIAA certification is a huge accomplishment for musicians. It can open doors to exciting opportunities, like:

- Live Shows: More performance opportunities in the US, like invitations to festivals, tours, or even headlining shows.
- Record Deals: Record labels love RIAA certifications, and this could lead to lucrative deals that provide BNXN with resources and support to further his career.
- Endorsements: Increased popularity can attract brand endorsements, generating additional income and expanding BNXN’s reach.
- Greater Recognition: The RIAA certification basically says American audiences love BNXN’s music! This can significantly boost his overall popularity and career trajectory in the US.

This gold certification is a win for both BNXN and Wizkid. It shows their music resonates with listeners worldwide. This milestone is a stepping stone for BNXN’s continued success in the US, and fans can definitely expect more fantastic music from him in the future.

For more music updates, check here.