Geneith Health Competition Opens Nationwide Registration To Mobilise Youth Against Malaria
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IBADAN – Registration has commenced for the Geneith Health Competition, a nationwide initiative aimed at mobilising secondary school and tertiary institution students across Nigeria in the fight against malaria.
The competition, organised by CEOAFRICA, sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceutical Limited and powered by Coatal Forte Softgel in partnership with the Department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, seeks to engage young Nigerians as advocates for malaria prevention and public health awareness.
Announcing the opening of the registration portal, the Managing Director of CEOAFRICA and initiator of the competition, Prince Cletus Sunday Iloabanafor, described the programme as a strategic intervention designed to place young people at the forefront of efforts to eliminate malaria in Nigeria.
According to him, the initiative goes beyond conventional awareness campaigns by empowering students to actively contribute to community-based health promotion and disease prevention.
He urged Nigerians to support the programme, noting that several countries have successfully reduced or eliminated malaria through coordinated public health strategies and citizen participation.
“Nigeria is the Giant of Africa and the natural leader of the continent. If other nations have successfully tackled malaria through collective action, Nigerians can also achieve this goal and set a new standard for Africa,” Iloabanafor said.
The competition has already attracted interest from students across the country, many of whom view it as an opportunity to contribute to national development while acquiring leadership and health advocacy skills.
Speaking on the initiative, health advocate Adams described the competition as a transformative platform capable of turning young people into agents of positive change.
“This is more than a malaria awareness campaign. It is a life-saving mission that equips students with the knowledge and tools needed to protect their communities and promote healthy behaviours,” he said.
Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, Mr Emmanuel Umenwa, challenged Nigerian youths to seize the opportunity and contribute to efforts aimed at improving the nation’s healthcare outcomes.
According to him, the energy, creativity and innovation of young people remain critical to achieving lasting success in malaria control and elimination.
“Young people represent the future of this nation and possess the capacity to transform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. This initiative is designed to empower them to lead that transformation rather than inherit the burden of preventable diseases,” Umenwa stated.
He added that while previous malaria control efforts have recorded notable successes, greater youth involvement is necessary to achieve complete eradication.
“Unless we fully involve young people in this fight, malaria elimination will remain a distant goal. Their population strength, digital literacy and innovative capacity are essential ingredients in winning this battle,” he said.
Umenwa further described the competition as an investment in future healthcare leadership, stressing the need to strengthen healthcare financing, workforce development and service delivery while sustaining public enthusiasm for malaria prevention.
The initiative also aligns with the objectives of the Department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which has consistently advocated community-driven approaches to malaria control and prevention.
Under the programme, registered participants will receive specialised training and be certified as “Malaria Ambassadors,” equipping them with practical knowledge and advocacy skills to promote malaria prevention and awareness within their schools, communities and local government areas.
Organisers believe the grassroots approach will create a nationwide network of youth advocates capable of advancing the Zero Malaria agenda and supporting long-term public health goals.
Iloabanafor noted that the initiative comes at a critical time as malaria continues to impose significant social and economic burdens on Nigerian families and the healthcare system.
He expressed confidence that youth-led advocacy and sustained community engagement would contribute meaningfully to the country’s malaria elimination efforts.
Registration for the Geneith Health Competition is currently open through the programme’s online portal, with organisers encouraging students, educational institutions, youth organisations and other stakeholders to participate in what they describe as one of Nigeria’s most innovative public health interventions.
