_{PRESS RELEASE}

Prevention Conference to highlight key HIV/AIDS findings

Abuja, 14 November 2016 — A national scientific Conference on HIV prevention has been organised to showcase the achievements of the AIDS response in Nigeria. The landmark Conference organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) is part of activities to commemorate World AIDS Day 2016, under the theme Hands on for HIV prevention.

The Conference will take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on 29^th and 30^th November with participants from relevant government departments and agencies, research institutions, the private sector, develop partner agencies and representatives of people living with or affected by HIV.

Hands on for Prevention’, signifies the fact that Nigeria’s national response aligns with the present global direction of increasing HIV prevention efforts.  The conference aims at showcasing the achievements, discussing the lessons learnt and seeking to set the pace for tackling prevention gaps.

The Nigeria HIV Prevention Conference 2016 will bring together a range of experts to advance knowledge, present new research findings, as well as promote and enhance scientific and community collaborations. It will also be a platform for discussions on development of new strategies for addressing HIV, especially in the area of HIV prevention.

“We welcome participants from all sectors: government, business, community, civil society, academia and others. It is my hope that participants will all take advantage of the conference and the opportunities it presents for networking, forming new collaborations and strengthening old partnerships to strengthen HIV prevention efforts,” said Dr Akudo Ikpeazu the Chairperson Organising Committee of the Conference.

Keynote speakers from within and outside the country will be invited for this meeting. Presentations at the Conference have been organised under four knowledge areas including behavioural, biomedical, structural, as well as key populations issues.

Over 250 participants have already concluded the registration process and intending participants are encouraged to register online, as soon as possible, through the Conference’s website: http://www.hivprevention2016.com.ng/

“To facilitate our planning, registration for participation in the Conference is already underway. I am encouraging any interested individual to visit the Conference’s website and register for this important event as soon as possible,” said Dr Ogungbemi, acting Director General National Agency for the Control of AIDS.

For more information, kindly visit: http://www.hivprevention2016.com.ng/ or www.naca.gov.ng

Contact for Media Enquiries: Toyin Aderibigbe | Head, Corporate Communications Unit, National Agency for the Control of AIDS | tel. +234 805 553 1587 | email: taderibigbe@naca.gov.ng