Malaria Fight: APPMED Endorses Geneith Health Competition As YABATECH Joins N1 Billion Campaign

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The nationwide campaign to eradicate malaria in Nigeria has gained fresh momentum as the Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers, APPMED, endorsed the Geneith Health Competition, GHC, and Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, formally joined the initiative.

The endorsement and new institutional participation are part of the expanding multi-sectoral support for the youth-driven malaria advocacy project organised by CEOAFRICA in partnership with Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited.

APPMED Pledges Nationwide Support

The President of APPMED, Comrade Rev. Kubiat Akpan, announced the association’s endorsement in Lagos, describing the competition as a timely intervention that integrates frontline health providers into youth-led public health advocacy.

According to Akpan, medicine dealers across the 774 local government areas of Nigeria witness daily the impact of malaria on families and communities, making the initiative a critical intervention.

“As medicine dealers on the frontlines of healthcare delivery across every ward and local government in Nigeria, we see the devastating impact of malaria on families every single day,” Akpan said.

“APPMED’s endorsement is a commitment to action. Our members nationwide will actively support these young ambassadors, ensuring that the message of prevention, proper diagnosis, and effective treatment reaches every household. When we align community health practitioners with the passion of our youth, malaria will have no hiding place in Nigeria.”

The latest endorsement follows a similar endorsement by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, led by its National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, who had earlier pledged support for the competition.

YABATECH Joins Campaign

In a related development, Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, Lagos, has formally communicated its intention to participate in the competition.

In a letter to CEOAFRICA, organisers of the initiative, on behalf of the Registrar, the Deputy Registrar of YABATECH, S. S. Akadiri, said the institution is interested in the competition and will sensitize its students on registration.

“Yaba College of Technology is interested in the competition, and our students will be sensitized on the registration details. We thank the organisers for bringing the College on board to participate in the competition. It is believed that our students will avail themselves of the opportunity for empowerment through the Geneith Health Competition,” Akadiri stated.

Akadiri also noted that the financial rewards attached to the competition would provide meaningful relief for students facing economic challenges while promoting academic excellence and community leadership.

“In today’s economic climate, the financial rewards attached to this competition are transformative for young scholars. Winning part of this grand fund goes far beyond immediate cash; it can clear tuition fees, fund critical research, support accommodation, and provide the seed capital these students need to scale their health advocacy projects,” he added.

N1 Billion Empowerment Package

The Geneith Health Competition is organised by CEOAFRICA, sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and powered by Coatal Forte Softgel. The initiative is endorsed by the Department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The project targets secondary and tertiary school students across Nigeria, with the aim of raising ambassadors for malaria prevention, proper diagnosis, appropriate treatment and community advocacy.

According to the organisers, the competition features a N1 billion empowerment package covering cash prizes, scholarships, educational support and institutional grants.

At the National Star Winners stage, top performers in both secondary and tertiary categories are expected to receive cash prizes, scholarships and gift items based on merit through a transparent evaluation process.

The Initiator of the project and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CEOAFRICA, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, said the initiative seeks to reposition young Nigerians at the centre of malaria eradication efforts.

“Every single life lost to malaria is a stolen future, a lost leader, and a blow to our nation’s progress. We have sat back for decades relying solely on traditional methods. Today, through this partnership, we are deploying Nigeria’s greatest resource, our intelligent, energetic youth, to champion a grassroots revolution that will make malaria a chapter in our history books, not our daily reality,” Ilobanafor said.

He urged the field activators of the competition to intensify mobilisation across schools and campuses nationwide ahead of the registration deadline.

The Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and sponsor of the initiative, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, also commended participating institutions and called on parents, school administrators and political leaders to encourage eligible students to register.

He said institutions that are yet to register should join the campaign, noting that the competition is a national rescue mission beyond a student contest.

The organisers said registration for eligible secondary and tertiary students will close on October 30, 2026, while full guidelines and registration details are available on the official portal, http://www.geneithhealthcompetition.com.