Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
A social media post by Nigerian actress Shan George highlighting HIV statistics in Benue State has sparked heated debate and backlash, with accusations of stigmatization and attempts to tarnish the state’s image.
In her Facebook post shared recently, Shan George stated that Benue State has 202,000 people living with HIV and urged caution, writing: “Be careful out there Fam, this statistic is just for Benue State alone. HIV is real and it’s spreading fast.” She accompanied the message with hashtags emphasizing HIV awareness and reality.
The figure aligns closely with official data from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). According to the 2024 HIV Spectrum Estimates released by NACA, approximately 202,346 people are living with HIV in Benue State, placing it second nationally in absolute numbers behind Rivers State (208,767 cases) and ahead of Akwa Ibom (161,597 cases). These estimates reflect Nigeria’s overall burden of around 1.9–2 million people living with HIV, with Benue consistently ranking among states with higher prevalence rates due to factors like regional epidemiology in the North Central zone.
However, the post drew sharp criticism from some Benue indigenes who viewed it as targeted and derogatory. One prominent reaction came from a Facebook user identified as D’nkaded Elder Sughnnen Yaaya, who accused Shan George of attempting to stigmatize and disgrace Benue State by painting it negatively to the world. The user claimed to have contacted her via WhatsApp to verify the post, only to receive a rude response from someone identifying as her manager, named Kemi, who reportedly called him “illiterate.”
In response, the critic announced that his lawyer is taking necessary action and shared the manager’s contact publicly, inviting others to reach out and “appreciate her role on HIV campaigns.” He maintained that even if the statistics are accurate, the manner of presentation was aimed at disgracing the state rather than promoting genuine awareness.
Shan George has defended her post in follow-up comments, urging critics to verify the information through reliable sources like Google and insisting the data is factual, not fabricated by her. She described some reactions as coming from “illiterates” in her DMs and emphasized the importance of awareness amid the virus’s spread.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions around public discussion of HIV statistics in Nigeria, where accurate data from bodies like NACA and UNAIDS is intended to drive prevention and treatment efforts, but sharing can sometimes lead to perceptions of regional stigmatization. Benue State has long been identified as one of the high-burden areas for HIV, with prevalence rates historically among the highest in the country, underscoring the need for continued education, testing, and anti-stigma campaigns without fueling division.
As the conversation continues online, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between raising awareness about public health issues and avoiding unintended stigmatization of affected communities.
