Ibadan school leads in national fight against malaria

In a bold move to combat one of Nigeria’s deadliest yet preventable diseases, the Federal School of Statistics (FSS), Ibadan, has joined the national campaign against malaria with the launch of the Geneith Health Competition (GHC).

The initiative positions students as frontline ambassadors in the fight against a disease that kills thousands annually.

Kicking off the programme on November 12, the event brought together the school’s management, students, and health sector leaders, signaling a decisive step in mobilizing schools nationwide to tackle malaria through advocacy, education, and environmental hygiene.

In her address, the Rector, Mrs. Olugu Mercy Uche, lauded the organisers for selecting FSS as part of the national movement.

 She noted that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in promoting accessible healthcare for Nigerians.

 “This project strikes at the core of a major public health challenge,” she said. “By involving our students as ambassadors, we are empowering a generation to champion hygiene, community advocacy, and malaria prevention across the nation.”

Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, Initiator of the GHC and MD/CEO of CEOAFRICA, said the project goes beyond competition. “Malaria kills silently, yet it is preventable.

Every Nigerian, from schools to communities, must act. Weekly sanitation, proper waste disposal, and mosquito net usage are simple steps that save lives,” he said.

He also highlighted that this is Africa’s first student-focused malaria awareness initiative, supported by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and Coatal Forte Softgel.

Supported by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and Coatal Forte Softgel, the initiative is Africa’s first student-driven malaria awareness project, equipping young people with practical skills to lead change in their schools and communities.

The Student Union Government, led by Sen. E.K. Olugbuyi, pledged full student support, promising active participation in weekly sanitation exercises and environmental clean-ups.

The launch concluded with a collective pledge by the school community to champion malaria prevention and environmental hygiene, sending a strong message that tackling malaria is a shared national responsibility.

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