Firm Mobilises Youths To Fight Against Malaria

To reignite the fight against malaria in Nigeria, a pharmaceutical firm, Geneith Pharmaceutical Limited, has launched a youth-focused essay competition to empower students across educational levels to lead public health advocacy and innovation.

Organised by CEOAFRICA, the initiative seeks to harness the creativity and passion of young Nigerians in raising awareness and developing innovative strategies for malaria prevention.

Speaking at a press briefing and launching an online portal for the Geneith National Health Competition in Abuja, the chairman of Geneith Pharmaceutical, Mr Umenwa Emmanuel, described the initiative as a strategic corporate social responsibility effort to catalyse meaningful change among Nigerian youths.

“It is a rare privilege to unveil an initiative that not only underscores our commitment to public health but also seeks to inspire innovation in malaria prevention among our youth,” Umenwa stated.

“With Nigeria accounting for 27 per cent of global malaria cases and 31 per cent of deaths, we cannot afford complacency,” he added.

Citing recent World Health Organisation (WHO) reports, Umenwa highlighted the urgency of the malaria crisis, noting that Nigeria recorded over 66.7 million cases and nearly 190,000 deaths in 2022 alone, with children under five bearing the brunt. In 2023, malaria incidence stood at 299 per 1,000 Nigerians.

Themed “Let’s Come Together to Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite, and Stay Committed”, the initiative aligns with this year’s World Malaria Day message. It encourages reinvestment in public health systems, reimagining strategies through innovation, reigniting passion for advocacy, and sustained commitment to malaria eradication.

“This is not just a competition; it is a movement. We want to see our youth take ownership of this fight and become ambassadors for malaria prevention in their communities,” Umenwa added.

The competition is powered by Coatal Soft Gel, an innovative brand developed to provide effective, fast-acting malaria treatment. The company says its sponsorship reflects a dual commitment to advancing health solutions and nurturing young changemakers.

The coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the director of public health, Dr Godwin Ntadom, commended Geneith’s leadership for launching such a laudable initiative.

“Malaria remains a pressing health and development issue with significant emotional and economic impacts. We applaud this bold step by Geneith and urge other private sector players to follow suit,” he said.

Also speaking at the launch, the managing director of CEOAFRICA, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, emphasised the importance of empowering youth. “This competition provides an essential platform for young Nigerians to explore, innovate and advocate for malaria prevention, laying the groundwork for a healthier future.”

He explained the competition would be held nationwide in the form of a quiz, divided into three categories: Junior Secondary School (JSS), Senior Secondary School (SSS), and Tertiary Institution levels.

He noted that the first stage would take place online at the state level, after which winners will advance to in-person regional contests. Successful participants will proceed to the national finals from the regional stage, with only the top performer at each level moving forward.

The competition will run on a one-year cycle, with registration set to begin on June 1. A 14-member College of Assessors, comprising experts from various healthcare fields, will supervise the entire process.

The Geneith Health Competition promises to reward creativity and impact, instilling a sense of purpose and responsibility in the next generation of public health advocates.

The initiative enjoys strategic partnerships with the World Health Organisation, Nigeria’s National Rollback Malaria (RBM) Programme, and various government stakeholders, ensuring its alignment with global and national health goals.

As the campaign begins, stakeholders have been urged to support and amplify the effort.