The Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (APPMED) has endorsed the Geneith Health Competition, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating malaria in Nigeria. APPMED's President, Comrade Rev. Kubiat Akpan, described the competition as a timely intervention that brings frontline healthcare providers into a youth-driven campaign against malaria. Akpan emphasized that APPMED's endorsement is a commitment to action, with members nationwide actively supporting young ambassadors to ensure the message of prevention, proper diagnosis, and effective treatment reaches every household.
The endorsement comes after the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) also backed the Geneith Health Competition. Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has formally joined the initiative, with Deputy Registrar S. S. Akadiri commending the organizers for combining academic development with public health advocacy. Akadiri stated that YABATECH students will be sensitized on registration details, and the college is interested in the competition. The financial component of the competition, which includes a ₦1 billion empowerment package, is expected to provide meaningful support to students facing economic challenges.
The Geneith Health Competition, organized by CEOAFRICA and sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, aims to provide secondary and tertiary students with an opportunity to become ambassadors of malaria awareness. The competition features cash prizes, scholarships, educational support, and institutional participation. The initiative is endorsed by the Department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. According to Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CEOAFRICA, the initiative is designed to move malaria advocacy beyond conventional approaches by placing young Nigerians at the centre of grassroots action.
Ilobanafor charged the project's field teams to intensify mobilisation across schools and campuses ahead of the registration deadline. He described the youth as Nigeria's greatest resource and urged them to champion a grassroots revolution that will make malaria a chapter in the country's history books. The field teams have been engaging institutional leaders, student bodies, and community stakeholders to promote youth participation in the national malaria campaign.
Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and sponsor of the initiative, called on parents, political leaders, and school administrators to encourage eligible students to participate before registration closes. He described the competition as a national rescue mission and urged academic institutions to join the initiative without hesitation. Umenwa emphasized that the competition is not just a student contest but a national effort to protect young people and eradicate malaria.
The inclusion of YABATECH and other participating institutions reflects the expanding reach of the competition, which is attracting schools and tertiary institutions across the country. The competition provides a platform for academic development, public health awareness, leadership development, and community engagement. Organisers said prizes across the various categories would be awarded strictly on merit through a transparent and rigorous evaluation process.
The Geneith Health Competition has received endorsements from various stakeholders, including APPMED and ACPN. With the participation of YABATECH and other institutions, the initiative is expected to make a significant impact in the fight against malaria in Nigeria. The competition's ₦1 billion empowerment package is expected to provide support to students and encourage them to champion malaria awareness and advocacy.
Key points
- APPMED endorses Geneith Health Competition to combat malaria in Nigeria.
- YABATECH joins nationwide malaria campaign, providing a platform for academic development and public health advocacy.
- Geneith Health Competition offers ₦1 billion empowerment package to support students and encourage malaria awareness.
