Ilobanafor, Umenwa Honoured with National Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution to Youth, Development, Public Health

Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, Managing Director of CEOAFRICA and initiator of the Geneith Health Competition (GHC), alongside Mr Emmanuel Umenwa, Managing Director of Geneith Pharmaceuticals and sponsor GHC, have been conferred with the National Outstanding Leadership Performance Award (NOLPA) by the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS).

The award presentation took place on Friday, 11 July 2025, during the association’s 44th Inaugural Senate Sitting held at the House of Chiefs, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

The ceremony attracted dignitaries from the academic community, government representatives, and an enthusiastic gathering of students.

Prince Ilobanafor was recognised as the “Most Student-Friendly Managing Director in Nigeria for the Year 2025,” in honour of his unwavering support for vocational and polytechnic education across the country.

His dedication to youth empowerment and ethical leadership was lauded as instrumental in advancing educational development in Nigeria.

Similarly, Mr Umenwa was commended for his outstanding sponsorship of the Geneith Health Competition, an initiative valued at one billion naira and aimed at eradicating malaria through active youth engagement.

The competition targets students in both secondary and tertiary institutions, encouraging innovative participation in public health advocacy.

The GHC, the first of its kind in Africa, aligns with the World Health Organization’s global campaign against malaria. With Nigeria accounting for approximately 27% of global malaria cases and deaths, the initiative’s launch by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, marks a significant step in national health mobilisation.

Accepting the award, Prince Ilobanafor dedicated it to God and to his recently deceased father, stating, “His belief that service to humanity is key is a principle I have promised to uphold.”

He also called on stakeholders to support the competition’s goal of eliminating malaria in Nigeria.

“I thank the leadership of Nigerian students for believing in this project. Together, we will eradicate malaria,” he affirmed, while encouraging students to register via the competition’s official website.

The Geneith Health Competition stands as more than a contest; it is a youth-driven movement for public health reform. It offers education, awareness, and practical engagement to foster a generation ready to tackle health challenges and champion community well-being.