The Federal Government has endorsed the Geneith National Health Competition, a youth-focused initiative aimed at eliminating malaria through education, advocacy, and innovation. The competition, which was launched on Friday in Abuja, is supported by over ₦1 billion in funding and is set to engage students across Nigeria.
The event, a collaboration between Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd and CEOAfrica, will involve junior and senior secondary students, as well as tertiary students from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The initiative is designed to inspire young Nigerians to play an active role in the fight against malaria, a disease that continues to be a significant health burden in the country.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who was represented by Dr. Godwin Ntadom, the Director of Public Health at the Ministry, praised the competition as a timely intervention in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to tackle malaria. He emphasized that while countries like Belgium, the UK, and the US had long eliminated malaria, Nigeria still faces significant challenges. He called the initiative a crucial step in moving from talk to action, noting that mobilizing the youth is essential to creating lasting change in communities.
“Malaria is not just a health issue; it’s a socio-environmental challenge. It’s rooted in poor drainage, overcrowding, and lack of public awareness,” Prof. Pate said. He added that the competition aligns with national strategies by actively involving youth in efforts to reduce malaria transmission.
The ₦1 billion commitment includes ₦400 million for student prizes and ₦600 million for educational materials and participant gifts. This investment is part of Geneith Pharmaceuticals’ broader commitment to malaria eradication, which it has positioned as a key area of its corporate social responsibility. The company’s chairman, Mr. Emmanuel, underscored the urgency of addressing malaria, citing the 66.7 million cases and 189,000 deaths recorded in Nigeria in 2022.
“Malaria is responsible for 27% of global cases and 31% of malaria-related deaths, particularly among children under five. This competition offers a platform to empower youth to develop innovative solutions to this national emergency,” he said.
Pharm. Wosilat Giwa, Chair of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, lauded the competition as a vital movement that could inspire youth-led advocacy in the fight against malaria. She noted that Nigeria, along with DR Congo and Niger, accounts for more than half of global malaria deaths, but emphasized that solutions were within reach through increased youth involvement and the use of preventive measures like vaccines and treated nets.
The competition has also drawn support from various health professionals, including Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, who stressed the importance of supporting local drug production. He argued that initiatives like this would push for better access to essential medicines and promote public health dialogue.
Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, CEO of CEOAfrica and Team Lead for the project, described the competition as Africa’s largest health competition of its kind, aimed at turning students into malaria ambassadors. He urged corporate organizations to follow Geneith’s example and invest in public health initiatives, adding that ending malaria was not just the responsibility of the government or health workers but of all Nigerians.
Comrade Egunjobi Samuel, representing over 40 million tertiary students, expressed strong support for the campaign, calling it a life-saving mission. He pledged the commitment of Nigerian students to the competition and emphasized its potential to drive meaningful change in the fight against malaria.
The Geneith National Health Competition is poised to become a groundbreaking initiative in Nigeria’s battle against malaria, engaging young people in a collective effort to reduce the impact of the disease on communities nationwide.
