Adolescent is the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is marked by profound physical, mental and social changes. The word adolescent stands for boyish, girlish, growing teenage, young adults, youthful, youngster or teenage (Collins Concise Dictionary and Thesaurus 1995, pg. 14)

The World Health Organization defined Adolescents as those between 1 and 19yrs and youths as persons between 19-24yrs. The WHO has defined Adolescents as

1. Progression from appearance of secondary sex characteristics (Puberty) to sexual reproductive maturity.
2. Development of adult, mental processes and adult mentality.
3.Transition from total socio-economic dependence to relative independence.
(Population reports 1995, pg. 3)

However for this purpose, I define Adolescents as THE TIME PERIOD FROM AGES 10-24. For this reason I shall use the terms Adolescents, youth, young adult, and young people interchangeably.

Today one in every five person in the world is an adolescent. Young adults are known to constitute a significant proportion of the Nigerian population. A result from the 1999 Nigerian Population Census indicates that young adults aged 10-25yrs account for approximately 22% of the population. Thus male and female young adults presently number about 26million in Nigeria. Indeed this represents one of the largest single critical mass of young people in the developing world.

The United Nations Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis (1994) gave an estimate of Nigeria’s population. It indicated that by the year 2015 the population of adolescents in Nigeria age 21-24 would be nearly 62million. Being more than the population in France in 1994.The population of adolescents in Nigeria is really staggering/shocking. This definitely has a lot of implications for the country.

Adolescents/youths perhaps are the most important group in a given society. Going by their characteristics and size they are a country’s most valuable future assets. More than any other groups in the society. Adolescents occupies an exciting but potentially dangerous position.

How has this position been managed, or betterstill how is this position managed? What are the steps and measures taken to render and promote essential services for the benefits of this population? What are the contributions of individuals, governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies, local and international agencies to ensure the needs of this population is adequately provided?
I accept the idea or the concept of forgetting about the government since its obviously not interested in the next generation but in the next election or the next political issue.
Apparently there are so many agencies and organizations at local and international levels aimed at promoting the development of the youths. So many seminars, symposium workshops,coferences and programmes are organized to achieve this aim. Indeed this is laudable.

However my query is how many youths/adolescents are beneficiaries? How much impact or positive changes have these offered? If there’s any to rely on are they adequate in comparison to the population of the youths? Why do a large size of youths/adolescents still make up hawkers on our roads and streets? Why are so many youths/adolescents still employed to carry out nefarious activities such as engaging themselves in armed robbery, prostitution, drug abuse and allowing themselves to be used as political thugs?

Travelling from Lagos (South West Geo-political zone of Nigeria) to Benin City (South South Geo political zone of Nigeria) is one hurdle I undertake weekly. At each tollgate it pricks my heart to see youths/adolescents, the future leaders in large numbers hawking their wares. The situation is so appalling. Records show that perpetrators of the recent tribal clash in Warri Delta State Nigeria were mainly youths.Cases of this nature are countless.

The reasons are not farfetched. Adolescents/Youth is a vulnerable age group. They encounter numerous psychological social and economic obstacles. These are often overlooked by the society and not adequately handled by the existing youth friendly organizations. This results in constituting handicap adolescents/youths and ultimately leads them into prostitution, armed robbery, and thuggery e.t.c. as a means to meet their needs.

Personally I have experienced so much difficulty and frustration in actualizing my dreams.Some I have decided to allow lie low and others I’m still struggling to make headway with, yet help seems far away. I know and strongly believe that many youths/adolescents are faced with similar predicament.

The end seems to be out of sight and someone says the talk is enough! We are in pains and we’ll continue to cry out and hope for help. We can only act when we are empowered. Can you stop a child who has been badly hurt from crying? No it’s not possible because it is natural to cry when you feel pains. However when you administer drugs that will help reduce and ultimately heal the pains there will be no need to cry.

This is a plea to all who is truly in service for the youths to provide adequate services efficiently and effectually not only a for a staggering population but also for the most valuable future assets of any society: THE YOUTHS/ADOLESCENTS

ESTHER OKHIADE

PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS: MAKING THE DIFFERENCE
The first recognized case of acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS] was recorded among five homosexuals in the United States America in 1981.At that time, its causes and mode of transmission were unknown. In 1983 the disease was discovered to be caused by a virus: the Human Immune Deficiency Virus [HIV].

AIDS develops when the virus HIV weakens the body's immune system, thus compromising one's ability to fight infections and opportunistic illness Most people who are infected with HIV may eventually die of AIDS.

An estimated 15, 000 men, women and children are infected with HIV/AIDS daily. (Fourth Edition: ABC of AIDS). Although there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, it has been scientifically proven that some medical treatment can now slow the rate at which the immune system is weakened by reducing the person's viral wad. HIV/AIDS without doubt has become a global issue that requires serious attention especially among persons living with the virus.

Today in Nigeria, and every part of the world many people are living with HIV/AIDS. The estimate is on the rise daily. Indeed the situation is really pathetic. Moreso when such persons living with HIV/AIDS are being stigmatized, discriminated against, and denied their basic rights and access to essential services. Such persons are made to face various challenges of different degrees.

Indeed, some of them have been ejected from their places of residence without cause while others have had their appointment terminated. Surprisingly the health workers also show negative attitude towards persons living with HIV/AIDS thus making them not only infected with the virus but also affected by its consequences. This creates an added emotional and psychological trauma.


It has become necessary to call on all and sundry to make a difference in our attitude towards persons living with HIV/AIDS. There's a need to put an end to the neglect, stigmatization, denial and depravity against them. Indeed, in Nigeria today some persons who have tested positive to HIV prefer to remain silent for the fear of Stigmatization, rejection and discrimination.
Many have lost their lives earlier than should have been because they cannot seek medical attention. Some even decides to spread the virus as an act of revenge. HIV/AIDS can be transmitted through one of the following ways:
1 FROM MOTHER TO INFANT: this could be in utero, at birth or after birth through breast milk.
2 ORGAN/TISSUE DONATION: such as donation of blood, kidney, semen, heart valves e.t.c.
3 USE OF CONTAMINATED ITEMS: such as injections, razor blades, needles e.t.c.
4 SEXUAL INTERCOURSE: This infact is the most common mode of
transmission. It can be transmitted through exchange of body fluid during unprotected sexual intercourse.

Sharing of cutlery, toilets, and swimming pools, shaking hands and even hugging an infected person can not result to a transmission of the virus.it's pertinent to know that HIV/AIDS can't be spread through social or casual contact or even caring for infected persons. There is therefore no need to fear infected persons.

It is however pleasing to note the efforts of organization, associations, groups and bodies, both at international and local levels aimed at providing accurate and adequate information, through seminars, workshops, programmes and publications so as to correct the picture of an hopeless situation. The non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have really been active in this aspect.

I wish to conclude this write up by making a call for a change in our attitude towards persons living with HIV/AIDS. The idea of sending a child out of school, denial of an infected person's right to fair hearing (and some other cases of injustice numerous to mention) because they're infected with HIV/AIDS must be stopped. It is very important to care about them, HIV/AIDS it's a circumstantial issue that could affect anyone.

I therefore enjoin everyone to take up this challenge that involves a large decree of commitment and dedication. Responding to this challenge will sure make a difference in the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS.

ESTHER OKHIADE
Women's Health and Action Research Center
[WHARC] Benin City