konga Ad Campaign konga Ad Campaign konga Ad Campaign
ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
      • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • #EndSARS Dashboard
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • #PandoraPapers
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • Home
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
      • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • #EndSARS Dashboard
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • #PandoraPapers
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
NACA, MTV create awareness on HIV/AIDS with TV series

NACA, MTV create awareness on HIV/AIDS with TV series

byOnyinye Muomah
January 25, 2014
3 min read

The movie first season of the series was shot in Kenya.

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, in collaboration with MTV and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation on Wednesday held a VIP screening of a TV series, Shuga, at the Silverbird Cinemas, Abuja.

The event was attended by the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu; the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Ifeanyi Okowa; Chairman of the Senate Committee on MDGs, Ali Ndume; the President of the Association of Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) Oladipo Ladapo; as well as the National Coordinator, Network of People with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) Edward Ogenyi.

Also present were the Director General of NACA, John Idoko; the Managing Director of Viacom International Media Networks, Africa – parent company of MTV and MTV Base – Alex Okosi; and the founder of MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Georgia Arnold.

The cast and crew of the show were represented by Dorcas Fapson who played Sophie, Timni Egbuson (Toby) and the Director of the series, Biyi Bandele.

Making an impact

According to MTV, Shuga is an impactful drama that fuses sexual health messaging with gripping storyline to raise awareness among young people about HIV prevention and reproductive health in Nigeria, is much more than a TV shows. Ms. Arnold, who is the brain, behind the initiative disclosed that there are plans to go beyond the TV series, and to reach young people via radio plays, comic books, the internet and even visiting schools.

“We want young people to be more aware of their behaviour; using condoms, negotiating the use of condom, getting tested – we have been working with NACA on their 36333 helpline. There is also a domestic violence storyline to ensure that there is a conversation with people who have been in that situation; what’s the best thing to do. As well as first sex, and about choosing not have sex,” she said.

The first two seasons of Shuga, which debuted on MTV Networks in 2009, was filmed and produced in Kenya. However, the producers of the show decided to move the third season to Nigeria. The move was planned way before the second season when a Nigerian character, Femi, was introduced for continuity.

Speaking on reactions to the move, Ms. Arnold said, “Kenyans were initially angry saying the Nigerian series was not nearly as good and the show should be brought back to Kenya. But we noticed a huge growth in following since we moved to Nigeria, especially on Twitter. We also noticed as more episodes aired, the conversation changed and Kenyans have come to embrace this season asking when the next episode will air.”

Relatable

At the screening on Wednesday, a lot of room was given to protocol. Apart from cocktails, the screening was preceded by speeches from some of the dignitaries and stakeholders.

The U.S. Ambassador used to opportunity to refute reports in the media that quoted him as saying that the U.S. may deny funding to Nigeria due to the new “anti-gay law.”

“Some of the report said I said on Monday that because of the bill, United States was going to cut back or eliminate its support for HIV and AIDS programming in this country. This is not the case, we have neither the desire nor the intent to do that,” Mr. Entwistle said.

He disclosed that the U.S. has already budgeted close to half a million dollars for HIV/AIDS programmes in Nigeria in 2014. This is not in addition to the $3.4 billion spent by the U.S. to curb spread of the disease in the last ten years.

Four episodes were shown in a stretch. Judging by the audience reaction, the show was not only informative and relatable but it was also entertaining. It had several storylines that dealt with the dynamics of romantic relationships among young people, the downside of transactional relationship between a young woman and an older man and domestic violence.

At the end of the screening, the audience was given a chance to make comments. Most of the commentators wondered if NACA and MTV would take the series away from the city and suburbs to the villages where education about HIV/AIDS was inadequate. One commentator asked that the series be subtitled in Nigerian languages so that people in rural areas would get the message. The producers were also asked to make versions that people in rural areas could relate. Some also suggested that future editions should depict that not only those with a freewheeling and partying lifestyle were susceptible to the disease.

Mr. Ndume, a senator from Borno State, also narrated his personal experience with People Living With HIV/AIDS. He disclosed that one of his sisters had contacted the disease from her husband and also spoke about a childhood friend and the friend’s wife who had died from the disease.

During a question and answer for the cast and crew, the show’s producers informed that the series was free to air by any broadcaster. The actors also talked about how acting in the series had made them more aware of the impact of HIV/AIDS.

Apart Ms. Fapson and Mr. Egbuson, the third season of Shuga also stars Tiwa Savage, Chris Attoh, Sharon Ezeamaka amongst others. It also features rapper Ice Prince and Iyanya. The theme song was sang by Flavour, Sound Sultan, Chidinma, Kcee and South African singer, Professor.

Award winning Kenyan actress, Lupita Nyong’o, who starred in 12 Years a Slave made her acting debut on the Kenya edition of Shuga.

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket


CITIZEN-FM AD


Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999






PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

January rains not result of climate change, Nigeria Meteorological Agency says

Next Post

CHAN 2014 Quarterfinal: Nigeria vs Morocco – Live Updates

Onyinye Muomah

Onyinye Muomah

More News

Tonto Dikeh

Controversies aside, I’m going to be Rivers’ best deputy governor – Tonto Dikeh

June 27, 2022
for: NO — Niyi Osundare @75, By Sola Olorunyomi

for: NO — Niyi Osundare @75, By Sola Olorunyomi

June 27, 2022
Wale Akorede, popularly known as Okunnu

Veteran actor Okunnu laments state of nation, rains curses on Nigerian leaders

June 27, 2022
The famous Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems.

BET Awards 2022: Tems makes history with ‘Best International Act’ triumph

June 27, 2022
Ife Head

Stolen Artefacts: British police hold on to Ife Head stolen from Nigeria

June 26, 2022
Nse Ikpe-Etim, Sharon Ooja, Jocelyn Dumas and Toke Makinwa are the lead cast of Glamour Girls

Movie review: Glamour Girls will make you reconsider watching Nollywood movies

June 26, 2022
Next Post

CHAN 2014 Quarterfinal: Nigeria vs Morocco - Live Updates

NDLEA officials

Nigeria: NDLEA arrests ex-lawmaker for drug possession

Leave Comment

Search

AUN-PT Ad




Access Bank Ad







Subscribe to News via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of news by email.

Join 1,897,544 other subscribers.

Advertisement




netherland biz school Advert



ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • #PandoraPapers
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • Opinion
  • The Membership Club
  • DONATE
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • PT Hausa
  • Dubawa NG
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.