The fight against malaria in Plateau State has received a major boost as the Guardian Initiative for Community Development, GICD, has endorsed the Geneith Health Competition and sponsored secondary school students in Jos to participate in the nationwide campaign.
The Jos-based child-focused NGO, headquartered on Tafawa Balewa Street, said its decision is an extension of its commitment to advancing education, child protection and socio-economic resilience among underserved communities in Plateau State.
According to GICD, empowering young people with meaningful opportunities and exposure is critical to unlocking their potential and equipping them to influence their communities positively.
“Our work at GICD is driven by the conviction that guided exposure is itself a form of protection, one that broadens perspectives and equips young people to make informed life choices,” a management representative stated.
The NGO noted that sponsoring the students would bridge classroom learning and community engagement, transforming the beneficiaries into health advocates capable of promoting malaria prevention in their homes and communities.
The endorsement followed an outreach visit to GICD headquarters by Geneith Health Competition activator, Amos Sunday, who engaged the management and facilitated registration of students under the organisation’s care.
Sunday commended GICD for removing financial barriers that could have prevented the students from participating, describing the students’ enthusiasm during the activation as inspiring.
He noted that the competition, which features over N1 billion in cash, scholarship and gift prizes, offers a broader understanding of child protection beyond welfare to include access to opportunities and platforms for personal development.
In a statement, organisers of the Geneith Health Competition thanked GICD for its support, stressing that collaboration among organisations, schools and communities remains essential to building a healthier Nigeria.
Powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, the Geneith Health Competition is a nationwide youth-focused initiative designed to engage secondary and tertiary institution students in malaria awareness, advocacy, research and community mobilisation.
Organised by CEOAFRICA and sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s Department of Public Health, the initiative aligns with national malaria control priorities.
Reacting to the endorsement, the MD/CEO of CEOAFRICA and initiator of the competition, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, and Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, described GICD’s move as a major boost to the nationwide war against malaria.
They urged Nigerian youths to become “Ambassadors of the War Against Malaria” and use the platform to acquire knowledge and promote preventive practices.
“If we do not win this war against malaria, malaria will win the war against us,” Ilobanafor said. “We must fight until we achieve total victory and freedom from this mosquito pandemic.”
On his part, Chief Umenwa called for renewed malaria education in schools and communities.
“We must revive malaria education in schools, communities, and every household as a matter of urgency. Malaria has taken too much from us, but with commitment and shared responsibility, it can be defeated,” he said.
Umenwa disclosed that Geneith Pharmaceuticals committed N1 billion to the competition, comprising N400 million in scholarships and cash rewards and N600 million worth of educational materials and outreach items.
“I will do it over and over again. This is my purpose for the entire world. My company is first to serve humanity, and the little that remains is for my family and I,” he said.
He urged political leaders, schools and NGOs to encourage eligible students to register before entries close.
