The Federal Government has supported the National Health Competition of Geneith, an initiative focused on youth aimed at the eradication of malaria through education, defense and innovation.
The competition was launched on Friday in Abuja, was organized by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited in collaboration with CEOAFRICA.
Also read: Nigeria to start local malaria production, HIV test kits
The competition presents prizes worth 1 billion, including ₦ 400 million in cash and ₦ 600 million in gift items aimed at students in junior and senior secondary schools, as well as those of tertiary institutions.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who was represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, described the initiative as a “timely and strategic intervention” in the current battle of Nigeria with La Malaria.
He said: “While countries such as Belgium, Great Britain and the United States eliminated malaria decades ago, Nigeria continues with a heavy burden. We organized the largest global malaria meeting in 2000 and again last year, but 25 years later, the problem persists. It's time to go from speaking with action.”
Ntadom emphasized that malaria is not only a health problem, but an environmental, infrastructural and socioeconomic problem.
“We must address the causes of poor drainage, overcrowded communities and low awareness. This competition supports our national strategy by involving communities directly through young people,” he added.
Declaging the officially open competition on behalf of the Minister, he praised Geneith Pharmaceuticals for promoting a health solution directed by the private sector:
“Involving students is intelligent. They influence their classmates, homes and communities. Their participation will cause sustainable change.”
The president, Geneith Pharmaceuticals LTD, Mr. Umemea Emmanuel, said that competition is part of the company's corporate social responsibility and reflects a deep commitment to resolve the Malaria crisis of Nigeria through innovation and promotion.
“This is not just another event. It is a deliberate platform for young people to reinvent and forward the malaria solutions, a disease responsible for 27% of global cases and 31% of deaths, especially among children under five years of age,” he said.
He added that in 2022, Nigeria registered more than 66.7 million cases of malaria and more than 189,000 deaths, qualifying the statistics “scary enough to declare malaria a national emergency.
“This year's theme, Reinvirt, Reimagine, Reignite and Stay Committed, is a call to action. We are asking our young people to think creatively, adopt technology and take possession of the fight.”
Emmanuel also seeks the collaboration of ministries, educators, civil society and development partners.
“Our collective action today will determine the public health panorama of tomorrow. Together, we can make history of malaria in Nigeria,” he said.
In his speech, the President of the Governing Council of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Wosilat Giwa praised the campaign as more than a health program:
She said: “This is a movement a powerful call to reverse malaria through education, defense and active commitment. Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Niger represent more than half of the deaths of global malaria. But we are not helpless.”
Giwa highlighted the potential of the youth -led defense, emphasizing that when young people are educated, they become effective messengers:
“New tools such as networks and vaccines treated with advanced insecticides offer hope. But the real change of play is an informed and committed youth population,” he added.
Former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, also applauded the initiative, asking for greater support for local medicines manufacturing:
“We need to support efforts that strengthen local production. It will make essential medications more accessible and affordable. I attend such events to encourage our professionals and press for better political support,” Ibrahim said.
In his welcome speech, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, CEO of Ceoafrica and team leader for the project, described competition as a “historical milestone” in youth participation:
“This program aims to 'catch them young' training students to become malaria ambassadors. With more than N600 million in general support, this is the greatest health competence of its kind in Africa. We encourage other patriotic Nigerians to follow the example of Geneith,” he said.
Student leaders also expressed full commitment to the initiative, said comrade Egunjobi Samuel Oluwaseyi, who spoke on behalf of more than 40 million students throughout the country:
Egunjobi said: “This is not just a malaria campaign; it is a mission that saves lives. Nigerian students are completely behind this. We must fight against this disease.”
He praised Geneith Pharmaceuticals and Ceoafrica for her visionary leadership:
“This is a model for the defense of youth -centered health. Pass a vote of confidence in the organizers. The future of this fight is in our hands,” he added.