Ayade: Young people must remain virgins until marriage

Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River state, says young people must be encouraged to abstain from sexual intercourse till they get married.

Ayade says abstinence and faithfulness are the only ways to end the HIV scourge in Nigeria.

Speaking on Thursday at the commemoration of the 2016 World AIDS Day celebration in Calabar, Ayade said it’s high time young people were taught that sex before marriage is a taboo in the African culture.

The governor criticised campaigns advocating for condom usage, saying it’s a false feeling of protection.

Ayade said condoms have thus far failed to stop the spread of the HIV scourge, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“Rather, it increases the level of promiscuity among the younger generation and encouraged unfaithfulness,” he said.

“The absolute factor that can put an end to HIV/AIDS spread is total loyalty and abstinence.

“Married couples must be faithful to their partners. Young people must remain virgins until they get married and never allow any barber to use unsterilised clipper to barb your hair.

“Whatever the story, AIDS is real, it is a scourge, you must avoid it,” the governor said.

Ayade further noted that his government would do everything within its power to curtail the spread of the virus in Cross River.