By Health & Science Africa
Students from universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the country have expressed commitment towards efforts to reduce the high rate of malaria cases and deaths in Nigeria.
They stated this Sunday in Abuja during a news briefing on the Geneith National Health Competition for secondary school students and tertiary institutions.
The national president of the National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students ( NANCES) Comrade Eegunjobi Samuel Oluwaseun said malaria remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, adding that it claims lives, drains productivity and hinders the educational performance of students across campuses and communities.
He said ,” Let us double our efforts in funding, in policy, in implementation and in education to ensure that we push malaria out of our campuses , our schools our communities and ultimately our nation. This is our collective responsibility. And together government, private sector , civil society and students , we can and must win this war. Let us unite to make malaria a disease of the past.”
The national president of the National Association of University Students ( NAUS) Josiah Peter Onche, said the students are a united force committed to driving change in the campuses and communities. He said that they can together bring malaria awareness to the forefront and take meaningful steps towards its prevention and eradication.
President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students ( NAPS) Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide said the competition was timely , urging all the tertiary school associations to give their best towards making it a success.
Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd,
Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, said the Geneith National Health Competition, an initiative organized by CEOAfrica, and sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals is aimed at engaging and empowering young people in the vital fight against malaria.
He said, “The strong representation of our student leadership exemplifies the commitment and energy that our youth bring to addressing critical health issues.
Malaria remains a formidable adversary, affecting countless lives and impeding the potential of our young population.
“Through the Geneith Health Competition, we aim to inspire innovative thinking among students, encouraging them to not only raise awareness but also to propose actionable solutions within their communities. This competition empowers them to be advocates and change-makers, giving them a platform to discuss and drive initiatives around malaria prevention.”
