By Comfort Olayinka
In a groundbreaking push to combat one of Nigeria’s most persistent health threats, the Federal Government has thrown its weight behind the Geneith National Health Competition, a dynamic, youth-focused initiative aimed at eradicating malaria through education, advocacy, and innovation.
Launched on Friday in Abuja, the initiative a partnership between Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd and CEOAfrica boasts an unprecedented prize pool of ₦1 billion, comprising ₦400 million in cash and ₦600 million in gifts, targeting students across junior and senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
Representing the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, Director of Public Health, hailed the programme as a “timely and strategic intervention,” lamenting Nigeria’s long-standing malaria burden despite hosting major global malaria summits.
“This competition supports our national strategy by engaging communities directly through the youth. It’s time to move from talk to action,” he said.
Mr. Umenwa Emmanuel, Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals, described the competition as part of the company’s deep-rooted commitment to social responsibility. He called malaria statistics “scary,” citing over 66.7 million cases and 189,000 deaths in 2022 alone, primarily among children under five.
“This is not just another event it’s a platform for young Nigerians to reimagine, reengineer, and lead the fight against malaria,” he said, urging collective action under the theme: “Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite, and Stay Committed.”
Pharm. Wosilat O. Giwa, Chairman of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, stressed the power of youth advocacy, stating, “This is more than a health campaign; it’s a movement.”
Other prominent voices, including Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, past PSN President, and Amb. Comrade Egunjobi Samuel Oluwaseyi, student leader for over 40 million Nigerian students, echoed strong support.
Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, CEO of CEOAfrica and team lead for the initiative, dubbed the programme “the largest health competition of its kind in Africa.”
With the government, private sector, academia, and students aligned, the competition promises to usher in a new era of grassroots-driven malaria eradication — led by Nigeria’s most powerful asset: its youth.
