Firm Flags off NIbn Youth Centered Malaria Campaign

Nigerian pharmaceutical company, Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, has launched a N1 billion youth centered Malaria campaign under the auspices of the Geneith Health Competition as part of efforts to raise awareness on the disease as a global health concern.

This was communicated yesterday at a press conference which held in Abuja. The Geneith Health Competition is geared towards mobilizing students of secondary and tertiary institutions in quizzes and brainstorming sessions targeted at raising innovative ideas ahead of the 2025 World Malaria Day themed “Let’s come together to Reinvent, Reimagine and Reignite and Stay Committed.”

The N1billion fund is targeted at rewarding innovative campaigns against Malaria across secondary and tertiary institution. While 400million of the total sum will be channeled to cash awards to outstanding participants, 600 million of the sum will be allotted to prizes.

Chiarman, Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Umenwa, explained that the campaign aligns with the World Health Organisation’s goal for Malaria elimination while also doubling as a strategy towards empowering young people for social good.

He said: “We believe that a well-informed youth population will not only enhance public awareness but will also lead to better health outcomes for all Nigerians. The Geneith Health Competition is more than just a contest; it is a movement aimed at inspiring hope, generating dialogue, and driving change in the fight against malaria.

“Moreover, this initiative aligns with global public health efforts, including the World Health Organization’s goals for malaria elimination. By focusing on youth-led action, we aspire to illuminate pathways for a malaria-free society, encouraging collective action at every level—from families to communities.

“Participants will engage in health education, community outreach, and advocacy, enabling them to develop context-sensitive solutions that cater to the unique challenges faced in their localities.”

On his part, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, who was represented at the event by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, lauded the initiative as a game changer in public health action.

Ntadom who described the programme as a ‘strategic intervention’ noted that despite hosting the world’s largest Malaria summit in 2000 and 2003, the disease burden remain. He therefore urged that the time has come to shift from dialogue to youth empowerment.

Meanwhile the Team Lead for the Geneith Health Competition and Chief Executive Officer CEO Africa, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, CEO of CEOAfrica and Team Lead for the project, described the competition as a “historic milestone” in youth engagement.

“The Geneith Health Competition is designed to empower our youth, encouraging them to become active
participants in the fight against malaria. This initiative provides an essential platform for Junior Secondary
School (JSS) Students, Senior Secondary School (SSS) Students and Tertiary Institutions Students to explore,
innovate, and advocate for malaria prevention.

“Over the next year, they will engage in public health advocacy
and community outreach, developing meaningful solutions tailored to the unique contexts of their
communities,” he said.

“Despite hosting the world’s largest malaria summits in 2000 and 2023, Nigeria continues to bear the highest global burden of the disease,” Ntadom said. “It’s time to shift from talk to action, by empowering our youth to lead that charge.”

Meanwhile the Team Lead for the Geneith Health Competition and Chief Executive Officer CEOAfrica, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, described the competition as a “historic milestone” in youth engagement.

Speaking further on the event, he said: “The Geneith Health Competition is designed to empower our youth, encouraging them to become active
participants in the fight against malaria. This initiative provides an essential platform for Junior Secondary
School (JSS) Students, Senior Secondary School (SSS) Students and Tertiary Institutions Students to explore,
innovate, and advocate for malaria prevention. Over the next year, they will engage in public health advocacy
and community outreach, developing meaningful solutions tailored to the unique contexts of their
communities.”