Majority of Nigerians believe in miracles. If you are in doubt, visit the crusade grounds. If you need further proof, check out the religious programs on TV. Either in Sports, business and even on the political terrain, the believe hold forte. The Nigeria Super Eagles are perhaps the most prayerful of the teams in Africa. They gather to pray at all given intervals during the cause of a match, expecting miracles. Miraculous solution is sought for healing injury, to win election and to prosper in business. For those who don't belong to any of the two major religions they turn to the African Insurance as it is called. However, the reality is that most Nigerians are prostitutes when it comes to seeking miracles. They easily submit to any of the faiths in so far as the miracle is guaranteed. Therefore, it is the practice to see Muslims in churches and Christians in mosques when the matter is in the confine of a miracle. Both religions also add a traditional spice to their faith if the potency of the miracle will be enhanced.

It is this frame of mind that has crept into the HIV/AIDS arena. Using religion and traditional medicine to skim the purse of unsuspecting HIV positives. The most disturbing trend is the role the media is playing in this whole enterprise. Not long ago, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) banned the broadcast of religious footages that has offending claims of miracles and healings. It became so theatrical and offensive to common sense that majority of Nigerians heaved a sign of relief at the order.

The trend has however assumed a new dimension especially in the print medium with various adverts of so-called experts promising to cure anything from sexual impotence to HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, diabetes, menstrual irregularity and impotence. One simply read HIV/AIDS: The Reality & The Cure, To avoid death, stigmatization, suicidal tendencies, traumas arising from one's HIV status or AIDS; contact Dr. Jacob Abdullahi. Another one says 12 weeks is needed for HIV 1&2 and several other of such claims fill our newspaper.

In the same vein, all over town, posters are pasted announcing crusades where all diseases and ailments shall be cured including HIV/AIDS. Many Nigerians have already fallen victim, while many more shall join the trail if urgent steps are not taking to arrest the dangerous trend. What we should be concerned about is the larger implication this is having and will have on efforts to curtail the spread and management of this disease in Nigeria .

We belief it is important to address the following issues.

In the circumstance:

• Will our media not be seen as encouraging false claims?
• Are the various claims of AIDS cure, besides being dishonest, not playing with people's lives?
• Don't our media have an obligation not to publish falsehood?
• Should we continue to sacrifice the lives of our people on the alter of profits?

We are challenging the relevant authorities to please take action.