The Guardian Initiative for Community Development (GICD), a child-focused non-governmental organisation in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, has sponsored secondary school students to join a nationwide anti-malaria campaign. This initiative combines youth empowerment with public health advocacy, equipping students to promote malaria awareness and prevention. The campaign, Geneith Health Competition (GHC), engages secondary and tertiary institution students in malaria awareness, advocacy, research, and community mobilisation.
GICD's decision to sponsor the students reflects its commitment to education, child protection, and socio-economic resilience, particularly among children in underserved communities. The organisation believes that providing young people with meaningful opportunities and exposure is essential to helping them make informed decisions and contribute positively to their communities. By participating in the competition, students will bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical community engagement.
The Geneith Health Competition offers over ₦1 billion in cash rewards, scholarships, and gifts, providing students with incentives to participate in the campaign. The competition is organised by CEOAFRICA and sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The initiative seeks to nurture young Nigerians capable of promoting malaria prevention and supporting national disease-control efforts.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CEOAFRICA, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, and the Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, have expressed their enthusiasm for GICD's endorsement. They urged young Nigerians to embrace the role of "Ambassadors of the War Against Malaria," using the platform to acquire knowledge, challenge misconceptions, and promote preventive practices in their communities.
Chief Emmanuel Umenwa disclosed that Geneith Pharmaceuticals has committed ₦1 billion to the competition, comprising ₦400 million in scholarships and cash rewards and ₦600 million worth of educational materials and outreach items. He called for renewed public health education in schools, homes, and communities, emphasising collective responsibility in tackling the disease.
GICD's participation highlights the role community-based organisations can play in extending the reach of national health campaigns, particularly by giving young people access to platforms that connect education, empowerment, and public service. For the students from Jos, the competition offers an opportunity to take malaria awareness beyond school activities and encourage preventive action among families and neighbours.
The nationwide campaign against malaria has received a boost with GICD's sponsorship and endorsement of the Geneith Health Competition. The organisation's involvement demonstrates how youth empowerment can be integrated into national public health efforts, and sustained public participation is critical to defeating malaria.
Key points
- GICD sponsors students to participate in a nationwide anti-malaria campaign, empowering them to promote malaria awareness and prevention.
- The Geneith Health Competition offers over ₦1 billion in cash rewards, scholarships, and gifts to participating students.
- The initiative seeks to nurture young Nigerians capable of promoting malaria prevention and supporting national disease-control efforts.
