The managing director of CEOAFRICA, Cletus Iloabanafor, says registration has commenced for the Geneith Health Competition (GHC), a nationwide initiative aimed at mobilising secondary and tertiary institution students in the fight against malaria.

Mr Iloabanafor, who initiated the competition, announced the opening of the registration portal in a statement issued on Tuesday night in Abuja, describing the programme as a historic opportunity for young Nigerians.

The competition is organised by CEOAFRICA, sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and powered by Coatal Forte Softgel in partnership with the Department of Public Health.

The initiative seeks to transform young Nigerians into active agents of public health change as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the country’s malaria burden through advocacy, awareness and community engagement.

According to Mr Iloabanafor, the initiative provides students, parents, educational institutions and communities with a platform to participate in a movement aimed at improving public health outcomes nationwide.

He said the competition was not merely another awareness campaign but a national call to action that placed young people at the centre of efforts to control malaria.

He stated, “Other nations have stood where we are standing today, took decisive collective action and successfully eliminated this disease through deliberate public health policies.

“Nigeria is the giant of Africa and the natural leader of this continent. If other nations could achieve this feat, Nigerians can do even better.”

Mr Iloabanafor said the initiative had already generated interest among students nationwide, who viewed it as an opportunity to contribute to national development while gaining knowledge and leadership experience.

He added that the competition would support sustainable malaria elimination efforts through youth-led advocacy and community engagement programmes that would continue beyond the duration of the contest.

Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and sponsor of the competition, Emmanuel Umenwa, urged Nigerian youths to seize the opportunity and become drivers of positive health outcomes.

Mr Umenwa said the future of Nigeria’s health sector rested heavily on the energy, creativity and commitment of its young population, whose participation remained critical to achieving lasting progress.

“Young people represent the future of this nation, and they possess the power to permanently transform Nigeria’s healthcare narrative.

“This initiative is about enabling them to lead that transformation rather than inheriting the burden of preventable diseases,” he said.

He said conventional approaches to malaria control had recorded gains but would require stronger youth participation and community involvement to achieve the goal of malaria elimination.

Mr Umenwa described the competition as a strategic investment in the future of healthcare leadership, advocacy and community engagement, aimed at producing a new generation of health champions.

“To effectively combat malaria, we must strengthen every component of the health system, including financing, workforce development and service delivery.

“We must reignite our collective passion for defeating malaria and refuse to become complacent while millions continue to suffer from a preventable disease,” he said.

The organisers said every registered participant would undergo specialised training and be empowered to serve as a certified “Malaria Ambassador” in their schools and communities.

They added that students would acquire practical knowledge and advocacy skills needed to promote malaria prevention and healthy behaviours among peers and community members.

The organisers expressed confidence that the grassroots approach would create a nationwide network of youth advocates capable of advancing the country’s Zero Malaria vision.

They encouraged students, educational institutions, youth organisations and other stakeholders to register through the competition portal, describing broad participation as vital to its success.

The Geneith Health Competition is a national health advocacy initiative designed to engage students in research, awareness creation and community action against malaria.

(NAN)