I am trying to build this awareness through my concerts and other forums and I challenge others lucky enough to be in my position to do the same. AIDS is real, it is here, cutting down those we know and love indiscriminately, brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers. Africa and its friends need to confront AIDS with the same determination and unity as they would an enemy out to annihilate them. Families are devastated, communities are decimated, hospitals are overwhelmed. Schools have lost teachers to the disease and pupils are being forced to drop out for lack of funds.
Places of employment have losses in personnel and productivity that are difficult to absorb.
Against such odds, one of the most important actions for governments and all those in positions of influence, privilege, knowledge and power is to raise the alarm loudly and clearly. In Africa, it is one of the very few tools we have. We have not used it very well. Only about 1 in 10 people in some parts of Nigeria even know what AIDS is, much less how to avoid it. And such levels of misinformation exist all over the continent.