Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) urges Nigerians to prioritise health and responsibility during Valentine’s Day celebrations to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
In a Valentine’s message on Wednesday, NACA Director-General Dr Temitope Ilori stresses that expressions of love should not increase vulnerability to infection.
“Let love be guided by responsibility,” Ilori says. “Knowing your status and protecting yourself and others is a powerful way to show you care.”
She encourages couples to get tested, practise safe sex through consistent condom use and avoid risky behaviours, including multiple sexual partners, transactional sex and substance abuse that impairs judgement.
Ilori also urges Nigerians to access HIV prevention, treatment and counselling services available at government health facilities nationwide.
Reaffirming NACA’s commitment, she says the agency remains focused on expanding access to quality HIV services in line with national targets to end new infections.
Citizens are advised to seek information via NACA’s website or the toll-free HIV helpline 6222.
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Otamere Gladness 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Chukwu Obinna 