Fight Against Malaria: Geneith National Health Competition empowers students with over N1bn cash and gift items
…..as stakeholders commend the fight against malaria initiative involving students from secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
By Onome Naomi
Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited launched a health competition for students of secondary and tertiary institutions to create awareness in the fight against malaria and its enabling factors. The launch of the health competition with the backing of the federal government empowered students from the 36 states of the federation with one billion naira in cash and gift items to enable the youths to explore, innovate, and advocate for malaria prevention.
Guest speakers at the launch event in Abuja include the special guest of honor, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, honorable Minister of Health and Social Welfare;Her Excellency, Sarah Anyang Agbor, former Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, African Union Adviser, Committee of College of Assessors, GHC; Dr. (Prof.) Bala Mohammed Audu, President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Co-Chairman, College of Assessors; and Prof. Cyril Usifoh, Immediate Past President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Co-Chairman, College of Assessors. The official flagging of the Geneith Health Competition was done by Hajia Wosilat Giwa FPSN, Chairman, Council Board, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja, and others. …
In the opening remarks of the event, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, Managing Director, CEOAFRICA, mentioned that the Geneith Health competition launch, as organized by CEOAFRICA, sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, aims at combating Nigeria’s most formidable public health challenge by empowering the youth to champion malaria awareness and prevention. It is said that when the youth take the lead in advocating for health initiatives, it creates ripples of awareness that resonate throughout society. However, engaging these young minds not only fosters a sense of responsibility but also helps to cultivate a culture of active participation in public health matters. By equipping students with the knowledge and tools to promote malaria prevention, this essentially empowers the next generation to become ambassadors of health in their communities.
The CEO of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Chief Emenwa Emmanuel, stated during the launch that the initiative not only underscores commitment to public health but also seeks to catalyze meaningful change among the youths through strategic corporate social responsibility—the Geneith Health Competition. Says WHO’s statistics of critical malaria cases in Nigeria are alarming, needing a redress by several approaches, including involving the youths in active campaigns in the fight against malaria, as it is Nigeria’s number one health challenge. Affirming the numbers arising from the malaria surge and fatalities is scary and sufficient enough to warrant declaring the battle against malaria a national emergency.
In Emmanuel’s delivered speech, he stated that
“The 2025 World Malaria Day theme encapsulates the unified mission and serves as a guiding principle for collective efforts in combating malaria.”
“There must be a reinvestment in the public health infrastructure to confront the malaria scourge, and this will involve ensuring that necessary resources—financial, human, and technological—are strategically allocated to combat this preventable illness (malaria).”
“It will also require investing in community health programs, enhancing access to medical care, and ensuring that sufficient funding is directed towards malaria prevention and treatment initiatives.”
“The battle against malaria also demands reimagining. It is important that we reimagine our approach to this challenge by embracing innovation and creativity, especially in how we address it.”
“The aim, therefore, is to use the Geneith Health Competition to encourage young minds to think outside the box with a view to developing new ideas, concepts, and strategies for malaria prevention. This will involve leveraging technology, social media, and community engagement to raise awareness and drive positive change.”
“The target also includes ‘Reigniting’ the passion for the battle against malaria. This will involve rejuvenating our collective commitment to the cause, especially among the youths, who are the change-makers of today. By motivating them to take action, we will be empowering them to become champions of public health, who will assist in spreading the message of prevention and awareness in their communities.”
“It is important to stay ‘committed’ to the battle against malaria if the above actions are taken to see that it is completely defeated. By reinforcing our dedication through continuous engagement, collaboration, and advocacy, we will ensure that we maintain momentum in the battle until we achieve a malaria-free Nigeria.”
“The Geneith Health Competition is not a mere event but a movement and a platform designed to engage students, especially those in the tertiary institutions, in innovative problem-solving and advocacy around malaria prevention.”
“Throughout this competition, participants will engage in public health advocacy, project design, and community outreach programs. These are efforts aimed at fostering a culture of health awareness and advocacy that is deeply rooted in the unique needs of local communities.”
“With a prize pool exceeding one billion Naira to empower the youth with tools for awareness creation and campaigns against malaria, the initiative reflects our unwavering belief in the potential of our youths to effect change. We understand that malaria disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, particularly children under five and pregnant women. The goal of this competition is to inspire a new generation of healthcare champions, who would truly grasp the importance of prevention and effective communication.”
“The initiative also aligns with the strategic objectives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria’s National Rollback Malaria (RBM) program for malaria elimination. The partnership amplifies our efforts, ensuring that we are reinforcing global and national goals in combating malaria.”
“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.”
In conclusion, Emmanuel implores that all stakeholders—honorable ministers of health and education, state commissioners, development partners, policy makers at various levels, educators, civil society leaders, members of the press, and others—join in the campaign against malaria and magnify the prevention strategies; commit to the thematic framework; reinvest our resources and efforts into effective healthcare solutions; reimagine how we approach malaria prevention; reignite our passion for public health advocacy; and stay committed to our goal of totally eradicating malaria in Nigeria.
The chairperson at the event and chairman of the Council Board, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Hajia Wosilat Giwa, laid emphasis on poverty and poor funding as the basis for the spread of malaria in Nigeria. Says new tools like advanced insecticide-treated nets and vaccines offer hope; although the real game-changer is an informed, engaged youth population. Applaud the organizers for focusing on young people; affirm they are the ideal group to champion the fight against malaria.
Prof. Pate, represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, applauds the organizers for the initiative, saying the project is strategic in the ongoing battle against malaria. He mentioned that malaria is not just a health issue; it’s an infrastructural and environmental problem, and the consequences could be emotional, economic, and several others. Other guests in attendance also commended the efforts of Geneith and CEOAfrica in proffering the timely intervention in tackling the malaria scourge vastly engulfing Nigerians and affirmed support in the creation of awareness, especially in the grassroots.
The organizers of the Geneith Pharmaceuticals Health Competition launch for students urge all collaborators, including the World Health Organization, Nigeria’s National Rollback Malaria Program, and all other stakeholders, including the Honorable Ministers of Health and Education, State Commissioners, Development Partners, Policy Makers, Educators, Civil Society Leaders, and the press, to amplify the impact and make significant strides in the campaign toward eliminating malaria in Nigeria.
For participation, the Geneith Health Competition invites students from junior and senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The registration portal for schools and students across the six geopolitical zones will open in June, marking the start of the longstanding contest.
It is also said that this initiative aligns with global public health efforts, including the World Health Organization’s goals for malaria elimination. to explore innovative strategies for raising awareness about malaria prevention, treatment, and the importance of early diagnosis. 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.
See categories of JSS, SSS, and tertiary institutions awarded cash and gift items at the Geneith Health Competition Awards:
For the Junior Secondary School (JSS) Category State Level Awards, the first winner gets ₦300,000, the second-place winner was awarded the sum of ₦200,000, and the third place is ₦100,000. The Regional Level Awards First winner gets ₦500,000, Secondlace wins ₦300,000, and Third place wins ₦200,000. National Level Awards for first place wins ₦5,000,000, second place ₦2,000,000, and third place ₦1,000,000.
For the Senior Secondary School (SSS) Category, the State Level Awards for First place were given ₦500,000, Second—₦300,000, and Third—₦150,000. Regional Level Awards: First place got ₦1,000,000, second ₦500,000, and third ₦200,000. The National Level Awards First place got ₦10,000,000, Second—₦5,000,000, and Third—₦2,000,000.
For the Tertiary Category, the State Level Awards First winner was given ₦2,500,000, Second ₦1,500,000, and Third ₦1,000,000. Regional Level Awards: First place—₦5,000,000; ₦ second—₦3,000,000; ₦ third—₦2,000,000. In the National Level Awards, the first place was given ₦15,000,000, second ₦10,000,000, and third ₦5,000,000, respectively. Gift items include pens, branded caps, books, school bags, and others…
