Health
Ibadan College Flags Off Geneith Health Contest Against Malaria
The Federal Cooperative College (FCC), Eleyele, Ibadan, on Monday flagged off the Geneith Health Competition (GHC), a nationwide initiative designed to engage students as frontline ambassadors in the fight against malaria.
The event, held at the college conference room, was attended by management staff, health stakeholders and student leaders.
Launched on May 2 in Abuja by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, the programme has continued to enjoy wide backing across the education and health sectors.
Chairing the Ibadan flag-off was Hajia Wosilat Giwa, Chairperson of the Governing Council, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria. Other notable figures included the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Tanko Ibrahim Ayuba, and his predecessor, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, who is also co-chairman of the College of Assessors. Commissioners of education and health from different states were also represented.
Provost of FCC, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Ganiyu, praised the organisers for selecting the institution as pioneer host. He noted that malaria remains the most common ailment among students, with about 90 per cent of clinic cases linked to the disease.
“Malaria is a killer disease and anything that supports its eradication is welcome. President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda includes a strong focus on healthcare, and this initiative aligns with that vision. Our students are ready to take up the challenge,” he said.
To back the campaign, the provost announced plans by the college to procure 1,000 doses of anti-malaria drugs for students.
Initiator of the competition and MD/CEO of CEOAFRICA, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, described malaria as “Nigeria’s deadliest enemy”, noting its economic and social toll.
He disclosed that Geneith Pharmaceuticals has committed ₦1 billion to the project—₦400 million in cash prizes and ₦600 million in scholarships and incentives.
“This is more than a competition; it is a movement. Prevention is the key. If students become ambassadors and take ownership of their environment, we can reduce the malaria burden,” Ilobanafor said.
Student leaders also pledged support. The Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Comrade Emmanuel Aluko, called the initiative “life-changing”, while National President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, urged youths nationwide to register.
Head of the FCC Clinic, Mrs. Rofiat Ambimbola, stressed that “sanitation, prevention and awareness” remain central to keeping students healthy and learning effectively.
Registration for the competition, which began on June 1, will close on February 15, 2026. Students are to register via www.geneithhealthcompetition.com.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, has pledged to support the breast cancer awareness programme of the ABC Foundation founded by former Oyo First Lady, Dr. Florence Ajimobi.
Oseni, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made the commitment on Thursday in Ibadan at the flag-off of Pink Month 2025, an initiative of the foundation.
Contained in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker described the campaign as a “lifesaving mission” given the rising burden of breast cancer in Nigeria, with over 28,000 new cases and thousands of deaths reported annually.
The APC chieftain said the free screening of 1,000 women planned by the foundation was timely, stressing that early detection remained the strongest weapon in the fight against cancer.
Hon. Aderemi Oseni exchanging pleasantries with former Oyo State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, at the event.
“Health is life. Only this June, I moved a motion at the National Assembly which led to the Federal Government subsidising dialysis treatment nationwide. Today, dialysis is either free or heavily discounted in federal health facilities,” Oseni said.
He listed his personal interventions to include funding hospital bills of indigent patients, construction of hospitals in Ido and Ibarapa East, establishment of primary health centres, and organisation of medical outreaches. He also disclosed plans to deploy mobile clinics to rural areas.
Commending Mrs. Ajimobi for sustaining her late husband’s legacy through humanitarian service, Oseni assured of partnership with the foundation, saying women’s wellbeing and empowerment remained central to his vision for Oyo State.
In her remarks, Mrs. Ajimobi said the foundation had offered medical care to over 85,000 patients and conducted more than 100,000 investigations since its inception. She added that the campaign was not just corporate social responsibility but “a moral duty and sacred trust.”
The former first lady, who lost her daughter Abisola to breast cancer earlier this year, said the experience had strengthened her resolve to save other families from such tragedy. She appealed to women to take advantage of the free screening and called on partners and development agencies to support the fight.
Chairman of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr. Fidelis Akhagboso Ayebae, and Chief Executive Officer of Hazon Holdings, Dr. Victor ’Gbenga Afolabi, are set to lead discussions at the second edition of the D’Bio Wellness & Selfcare Summit.
The event is scheduled to hold on September 24 and 25 at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
This year’s summit has the theme: “Self-Care as a Driver of Optimal Health and Wellness.”
Ayebae will serve as chairman of the event, while Afolabi, who is also the co-founder of Wellness HMO, will deliver the keynote address.
Ayebae, founder of Fidson Healthcare, is regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading pharmaceutical entrepreneurs. He is a fellow of the Institute of Directors Nigeria and the Institute of Corporate Affairs Management, and has held significant roles in the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
Afolabi has more than 20 years’ experience spanning healthcare, finance, technology and marketing. He is also the founder of the Eko Innovation Centre, a Lagos-based technology hub that supports start-ups and young entrepreneurs.
Convener of the summit, Dr. Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, said the event would focus on practical steps to improve health outcomes through self-care.
She said, “We are excited to welcome Dr. Ayebae and Dr. Afolabi as pivotal figures in our quest to enhance health literacy and empower individuals to prioritise self-care. This summit is not just about discussions; it is about actionable insights that can inspire and transform lives.”
The organisers said the two-day summit is open to the public and will feature panel sessions with health and wellness experts, attracting healthcare professionals, advocates and business leaders.
The Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, Apata, Ibadan, has joined the campaign to eradicate malaria in Nigeria.
The initiative followed the unveiling of the Geneith Health Competition on the institution’s campus on Tuesday.
The competition, organised by CEOAfrica in partnership with Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, targets students of tertiary and secondary schools nationwide to spread knowledge on malaria prevention.
Convener of the project, Mr. Cletus Ilobanafo, said the programme was designed to raise awareness through a structured health contest at the state, regional and national levels.
He said Geneith Pharmaceuticals has committed N1 billion to the project, with N400 million earmarked for scholarships and N600 million for gift items to motivate participants. “By promoting education and prevention strategies, this competition underscores the dedication of all stakeholders in combating malaria and improving public health in Nigeria,” Ilobanafo added.
The Provost of the College, Dr. Chidi Okpeze, praised the organisers for selecting the institution as a launch platform for the campaign. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, for their commitment to repositioning the livestock sector to boost national growth.
“Our students are ready to key into this initiative. They are articulate, active, and have represented us well in international competitions. We are confident they will excel in this campaign too,” he said.
The Provost urged the students to brace up for the task ahead and uphold the institution’s tradition of excellence.
Some students, who spoke on behalf of their colleagues, pledged to support the anti-malaria campaign by intensifying environmental sanitation on campus. They also commended the organisers and sponsors for giving them the opportunity to contribute to the fight against malaria.
They promised to sustain clean surroundings and spread the message beyond the school to ensure malaria is eradicated from the system.
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