The leadership of the main student, youth and other stakeholders associations has launched a campaign led by students focused on the eradication of malaria.
The student campaign on malaria, sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, had witnessed a previous record of 200 students.
The initiative aims to empower students in Junior secondary schools, higher secondary schools and tertiary institutions to lead the fight against malaria, a disease that continues to carry millions of Nigerians annually.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the national president of the students of the National Association of Students of the Nigeria Education Schools (Nances), Eegunjobi Oluwaseun, praised President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Health for his initiatives for health reform, but requested a greater government participation.
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“This fight cannot be won without strong and sustained government leadership. Let's double our efforts into funds, policies and education to expel malaria from our campus and our nation,” said Eegunjobi.
He asked the students to actively participate in the competition as a step to become part of the solution.
The president of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), pointed out the importance of involving young people in defense.
“This competition is a platform for young minds to use creativity and knowledge to raise awareness and save lives. Let this turn on their passion for the defense of health,” he said.
Similarly, the president of the Senate of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAP), Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, described the campaign as “transformational.”
“This initiative instills health awareness and promotes preventive care. Empuera to students to take care of their health and become future leaders,” he said.
He urged students of Polytechnic and other institutions to actively participate and emphasized that the project offers opportunities for tutoring, innovation and solutions promoted by youth.
The CEO of the firm that sponsors the competition, Mr. Emmanuel Uumenwa, reiterated the company's commitment to the innovation of health and the empowerment of young people.
Umemea, who was represented by the general sales and marketing assistant manager of the firm, Mr. Abimbola Bowoto, expressed the belief that competition would encourage a defense of life for life among young people.
He said: “Geneith's health competence is a catalyst for collaboration. Empuera to students to become defenders and creators of changes in malaria prevention. Each idea and action are important.”
Meanwhile, the protagonist of the project, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, described competition as one of the largest malaria campaigns focused on Africa youth.
Cletus said the competition is aligned with global health objectives and would serve as a springboard for public health innovation directed by students.
He explained that the organizers have committed N1 billion to the competition, N4 billion in cash and N600 million awards for gifts, scholarships and other rewards.
“This is the first of its kind. The days were the days we wait for the Government. Nigerian students are now taking the initiative to change the narrative,” he said.
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