The fight against malaria is gaining fresh momentum in Plateau State as the Guardian Initiative for Community Development (GICD), a child-focused non-governmental organisation based in Jos, has endorsed the Geneith Health Competition (GHC) and sponsored secondary school students under its care to participate in the nationwide campaign.
The initiative marks another step towards mobilising young Nigerians as frontline advocates in the fight against malaria, demonstrating how grassroots organisations can connect child welfare, education and youth empowerment with a broader national public health mission.
Headquartered on Tafawa Balewa Street, Jos, GICD described its decision to sponsor the students as an extension of its commitment to advancing education, strengthening child protection and building socio-economic resilience among underserved communities in Plateau State.
According to the organisation's management, providing young people with meaningful opportunities and exposure is essential to unlocking their potential and equipping them to make informed decisions that positively influence their communities.
"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 representative added that sponsoring the students for the competition would bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical community engagement, transforming the beneficiaries into health advocates capable of promoting malaria prevention within their households and communities.
The endorsement followed an outreach and activation visit to GICD's headquarters by Geneith Health Competition activator, Amos Sunday, who engaged the management and facilitated the registration of secondary school students under the organisation's care for the national contest.
Commending GICD for its response, Sunday praised the organisation for not only welcoming the initiative but also taking concrete steps to remove financial barriers that could prevent the students from participating.
"The enthusiasm and active participation displayed by the students during the activation session were inspiring," Sunday said, describing GICD's intervention as an example of how child-focused organisations could translate their commitment to education and protection into practical opportunities for young people.
He noted that the organisation's sponsorship of the students for the competition, which features over ₦1 billion in cash, scholarship and gift prizes, reflected a broader understanding of child protection that goes beyond immediate welfare to include access to opportunities, knowledge and platforms for personal development.
Sunday further stressed the importance of recognising community-based organisations that are translating public health objectives into grassroots action, adding that their involvement would strengthen efforts to mobilise young Nigerians against malaria.
In an official statement following the outreach, the organisers of the Geneith Health Competition expressed appreciation to GICD for sponsoring and encouraging the students under its care to participate in the nationwide campaign.
"We commend GICD's steadfast commitment to youth empowerment, health education, and the fight against malaria," the statement read, adding that collaboration among organisations, schools and communities remained essential to building a healthier Nigeria.
Powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, the Geneith Health Competition is a nationwide youth-focused initiative designed to engage students across secondary and tertiary institutions in malaria awareness, advocacy, research and community mobilisation.
Organised by CEOAFRICA and sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, the competition seeks to nurture a generation of informed young Nigerians capable of promoting malaria prevention and supporting the national drive towards disease elimination. Implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare's Department of Public Health, the initiative aligns with national malaria control priorities, particularly behavioural change communication and community-level interventions.
Reacting to GICD's endorsement, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CEOAFRICA and initiator of the Geneith Health Competition, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, alongside the Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, described the development as an important boost to the growing nationwide movement against malaria.
They called on Nigerian youths to embrace the role of "Ambassadors of the War Against Malaria," urging students to use the platform to acquire knowledge, challenge harmful misconceptions and promote preventive practices within their communities.
Prince Ilobanafor said GICD's intervention demonstrated how civil society organisations could integrate youth empowerment with national disease-control efforts, stressing that sustained public participation was crucial to defeating malaria.
"If we do not win this war against malaria, malaria will win the war against us," Ilobanafor cautioned. "We must fight until we achieve total victory and freedom from this mosquito pandemic. I want a society where mosquitoes do not dictate the lifespan of our citizens. Every single life lost to malaria represents a stolen future and a blow to our nation's progress."
He said the competition was designed to harness the intelligence, creativity and enthusiasm of young people to build a grassroots movement capable of advancing malaria awareness and prevention across Nigeria.
Ilobanafor also urged field activators working across states and communities to intensify their mobilisation efforts as the registration deadline approaches, emphasising that eligible students should not be left behind in the national campaign.
On his part, Chief Umenwa commended GICD's humanitarian commitment and called for renewed public health consciousness in schools, homes and communities across the country.
"We must revive malaria education in schools, communities, and every household as a matter of urgency," Umenwa stated. "Malaria has taken too much from us, but with commitment and shared responsibility, it can be defeated."
He disclosed that Geneith Pharmaceuticals had committed ₦1 billion to the competition, comprising ₦400 million in scholarships and cash rewards, alongside ₦600 million worth of educational materials and outreach items. He described the investment as a deliberate effort to empower young people with the knowledge, resources and motivation needed to become effective advocates for malaria prevention.
Reaffirming his commitment to humanitarian service, Umenwa said his support for the initiative was driven by a desire to contribute to the well-being of humanity.
"I will do it over and over again. This is my purpose for the entire world," he declared. "My company is first to serve humanity, and the little that remains is for my family and I."
The Geneith Pharmaceuticals chairman urged political leaders, school administrators, community organisations and other non-governmental organisations to encourage eligible students to register for the competition before entries close.
He also expressed appreciation to GICD's management and participating organisations across Plateau State for supporting the initiative, calling on other community leaders to follow suit by giving young people access to opportunities that combine education, empowerment and public health advocacy.
With GICD's sponsorship bringing more students from Jos into the campaign, the development underscores the role of local organisations in expanding the reach of nationwide health initiatives. Beyond the competition and its prizes, the broader ambition is to ensure that students carry malaria awareness from their classrooms into their homes and communities, turning knowledge into preventive action.
As the campaign gathers momentum, the message is clear: the fight against malaria cannot be won by the health sector alone. It requires communities, schools, civil society organisations, private-sector partners and young people working together to protect lives and build a future in which malaria no longer steals the promise of the next generation.
