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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
In a major move to boost student welfare and tackle urgent health challenges, the Federal Cooperative College in Eleyele, Ibadan, officially inaugurated the Geneith Health Competition (GHC), a nationwide campaign empowering youth as malaria ambassadors.
The flag-off ceremony held on Monday, August 25, 2025, in the college conference room was attended by college management and key health sector stakeholders.
Since its May 2 launch in Abuja by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Godwin Ntadom, Director of Public Health, the GHC has received widespread backing from various partners.
The event was presided over by Hajia Wosilat Giwa, Chairperson of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria’s Governing Board, and featured prominent figures including Pharm. Tanko Ibrahim Ayuba, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), and Pharm. (Prof.) Cyril Odianose Usifoh, Past PSN President and co-chair of the College of Assessors, alongside education and health commissioners from multiple states. The collective effort underscores a shared commitment to raising malaria awareness and empowering youth, with educational institutions playing a pivotal role.
Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Ganiyu, Provost of the college, expressed gratitude for hosting the inaugural event. “Malaria is a deadly disease, and supporting its eradication is crucial. One of President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda is to strengthen our healthcare system, and this initiative aligns perfectly. Our students are eager to participate and excel,” he stated.
Highlighting the severity of malaria at the college, Dr. Ganiyu revealed that about 90% of students seeking medical care exhibit malaria symptoms. To combat this, the college plans to procure 1,000 malaria treatment drugs, ensuring students stay healthy and fully engaged in the competition.
The event drew significant attendance, including college officials such as Registrar Dr. Ademiluwa, Director of Planning Dr. Iyiola Felicia, Dean of Student Affairs Mr. Bakare, Acting Librarian Mr. Idris Quande, and notable student leaders like Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS). Their presence demonstrated a collective dedication to student health and public advocacy.
Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, MD/CEO of CEOAFRICA and GHC initiator, emphasized malaria’s devastating impact on Nigeria. “With the Geneith Health Competition, we aim to turn students into ambassadors for a malaria-free Nigeria,” he said. The initiative includes a ₦1 billion commitment from Geneith Pharmaceuticals—comprising ₦400 million in cash prizes and ₦600 million in scholarships and incentives—designed to motivate students to own their health and environment.
Ilobanafor stressed proactive prevention, stating, “Active environmental cleanup by malaria ambassadors can significantly reduce disease burden.”
Supporting this vision, SUG President Emmanuel Aluko called the initiative a “life-changing opportunity,” adding, “Our generation must be the one to finally end malaria.”
NAPS President Oyewumi Festus Ayomide urged Nigerian students to participate, emphasizing that registration offers education and access to treatment. “Together, we can create a malaria-free future,” he encouraged.
Mrs. Sulaimon Rofiat Ambimbola, Head of the college clinic, praised the project’s focus on health awareness and practical solutions, noting, “Healthy students excel academically, and sanitation and prevention are key.”
Registration for the GHC began on June 1, 2025, and runs until February 15, 2026. Students can visit www.geneithhealthcompetition.com to participate in this transformative effort to eliminate malaria.
As the competition approaches, the Federal Cooperative College sets a precedent in public health advocacy, inspiring other institutions to join the fight against malaria and prioritize community health.
