Ecobank, NACA Partner on Youth Development

Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada has commended Ecobank Nigeria for funding the multi-million naira Ecobank-National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Youth Friendly Centre at Kogi State University, Anyigba.

Inaugurating the centre at the weekend, Wada stated that the partnership between Ecobank and NACA to establish the centre in the state was impressive, stressing that it would go a long way to improving the lives of youths and check the prevalence of the dreaded HIV/AIDs and other health related diseases.“Any effort to check prevalence of critical diseases of modern times must be appreciated,” the governor was quoted to have said in a statement.

Also, the Head, Personal Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Kingsley Umadia, said the establishment of the centre was part of Ecobank desire to give back to society."For us at Ecobank, the vision of the youth friendly centre stems from our desire to use all available opportunity to give back and contribute effectively towards the society in which the bank operates.“We believe young people need a friendly environment that would offer recreational facilities and at the same time provide free guidance and counselling HIV/AIDS and other health issues," he added.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor, Kogi State University, Prof. Hassan Isah, said he was elated as his school was the first state university to enjoy such support.
He added: "This project midwifed by NACA and funded by Ecobank is commendable. The challenge of funding is increasing level of engagement with organisations, philanthropists, NGOs and parastatals. We will put the facility in good use."

The Director General, NACA, Prof John Idoko, who was represented by the agency’s Director, Partnership Coordination, Emmanuel Alhassan, stated that the partnership has so far produced eight centres in various universities across the country.