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Olufunke Adeboye
University of Lagos

 

     

HIV/AIDS Prevention and Support Activities by the Faith-Based Community in Nigeria: The Case of the Redeemed AIDS Programme Action Committee (RAPAC)

The growing rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Nigeria has created grave concern within the nation. It has now become clear that all sectors within the nation, and not just the government, would have to rise up to meet the challenge. Already, many groups within the civil society, among which is the faith-based community are beginning to join in the campaign against HIV/AIDS. This paper looks at the activities of the Redeemed AIDS Programme Action Committee (hereafter RAPAC), a faith-based organization committed to the campaign against HIV/AIDS. RAPAC, established in 1999, operates like an NGO under the auspices of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Nigeria’s fastest growing Pentecostal church. Apart from analyzing the activities of RAPAC, the paper also raises several issues bothering on the logic of its establishment, the effectiveness of its operations, and its relationship with other bodies within the anti-AIDS network, locally and internationally. Why did the RCCG establish a semi- independent body, ‘clothed’ like an NGO to join in the anti-AIDS campaigns? Do bodies like RAPAC represent an interface between faith healing and bio-medical management of HIV/AIDS? Does RAPAC embody the typical Pentecostal response to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria? How has RAPAC been able to harness the moral/spiritual authority at the disposal of the RCCG in its enlightenment campaigns against HIV/AIDS, and support for infected people? After five years of RAPAC operation, are People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) still seen as vectors or victims in the church? What is the relationship between RAPAC and other groups within the faith-based community on the one hand, and with other bodies outside the faith-based community, equally committed to the anti-AIDS campaign? The paper concludes by discussing the challenges facing RAPAC especially as a church-spun NGO and how they could be overcome. It also assesses the impact of RAPAC in mitigating the HIV/AIDS situation in Nigeria.


Africa Conference 2005: African Health and Illness
Convened by Dr. Toyin Falola for the Center for African and African American Studies
Coordinated by Matthew Heaton Webmaster, Technical Coordinator: Sam Saverance