GENEITH HEALTH COMPETITION EMPOWERS FEDERAL SCHOOL OF STATISTICS STUDENTS AS MALARIA AMBASSADORS IN IBADAN

The Federal School of Statistics (FSS), Ibadan, has taken a decisive step in Nigeria’s renewed drive to eliminate malaria by officially joining the national movement through the launch of the Geneith Health Competition (GHC), a groundbreaking youth-led initiative designed to transform students into health ambassadors.

Held on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025, the flag-off ceremony brought together school leaders, students and health-sector stakeholders in a spirited display of collaboration and purpose. The conference room of FSS Ibadan became a hub of energy and inspiration as the campaign rolled out, emphasizing advocacy, environmental hygiene and student-driven community engagement as tools in the fight against malaria.

The initiative, pioneered by Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, Managing Director of CEOAFRICA and initiator of the GHC, represents a new frontier in public health awareness. Organized in partnership with Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, the program seeks to transform educational institutions into platforms for national health transformation. Students are being equipped with practical knowledge, leadership skills and civic responsibility to drive behavioural change within their communities.

The Rector of FSS Ibadan, Mrs. Olugu Mercy Uche, led the institution’s participation in the campaign, reaffirming the school’s alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on quality and accessible healthcare. The institution pledged full commitment to advancing the campaign’s objectives through sustained sanitation efforts, peer education and health advocacy across campus and neighbouring communities.

The Geneith Health Competition is not just a contest; it is a movement aimed at eradicating one of Africa’s most preventable yet persistent diseases. With malaria accounting for a significant portion of illnesses among Nigerian youth, the initiative places students at the centre of prevention through simple but powerful actions such as clean surroundings, covered water containers and unblocked drainages.

Prince Ilobanafor’s vision underscores a shared responsibility model that transcends government interventions. The project demonstrates how private-sector commitment, institutional participation and youth energy can converge to create meaningful national impact.

At the heart of the campaign is a spirit of collaboration, a partnership between CEOAFRICA, Geneith Pharmaceuticals and Coatal Forte Softgel, symbolizing how innovation and corporate social responsibility can reshape health outcomes in Nigeria.

For the students of FSS Ibadan, the launch marks the beginning of a transformative journey. One that blends knowledge with action and data with health advocacy. As they take on the role of Malaria Ambassadors, their mission extends beyond the classroom, embodying a broader vision of a malaria-free Nigeria driven by the nation’s next generation of leaders.