Expanding the Coalition Against Malaria

The Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (APPMED) and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) have officially declared their support for the Geneith Health Competition (GHC). This partnership marks a significant escalation in nationwide efforts to mobilize Nigerian youth in the fight against malaria, blending academic engagement with grassroots advocacy.

President of APPMED, Comrade Rev. Kubiat Akpan, emphasized that as frontline healthcare providers, medicine dealers are uniquely positioned to witness the daily toll malaria takes on Nigerian families. He noted that the association's endorsement is not merely symbolic but represents a practical commitment to supporting young health ambassadors across every local government area.

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.

— Comrade Rev. Kubiat Akpan, President, Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (APPMED)

According to Akpan, the alignment of community health practitioners with the energy of the youth will ensure that messages regarding prevention, diagnosis, and treatment reach every household. This endorsement follows similar backing from the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), further solidifying the healthcare industry's commitment to the initiative.

Institutional Engagement and Student Empowerment

Yaba College of Technology has formally joined the initiative, with the college management expressing interest in sensitizing its student population about the competition. Representing the Registrar, YABATECH Deputy Registrar S. S. Akadiri highlighted the dual benefits of the program, which combines public health advocacy with significant financial incentives for students.

Akadiri noted that the competition’s rewards could provide transformative support for scholars facing economic hardships. By linking civic responsibility with financial aid, the initiative aims to equip students with the resources needed to secure their educational futures while simultaneously working to eradicate a major public health threat.

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.

— S. S. Akadiri, Deputy Registrar, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH)

The participation of YABATECH is part of a growing trend of tertiary and secondary institutions joining the GHC platform. Field teams from the Geneith Health Competition have been conducting sensitization visits across the country to engage institutional leaders and student bodies directly.

A Grassroots Revolution for Public Health

Organized by CEOAFRICA and sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, the competition is powered by Coatal Forte Softgel and carries the endorsement of the Department of Public Health under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The initiative includes a ₦1 billion empowerment package, which encompasses cash prizes, scholarships, and institutional support.

Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, the Initiator of the project and MD/CEO of CEOAFRICA, described the campaign as a shift away from conventional methods toward a youth-centered grassroots revolution. He urged field activators to maintain their dedication as the project seeks to make malaria a part of history rather than a daily reality for Nigerians.

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.

— Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, CEOAFRICA

Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, further called on political leaders and school administrators to encourage participation. He characterized the competition as a "national rescue mission," urging parents to guide their children through the registration process to ensure no student is left behind in this health movement.

Registration and Participation Guidelines

The Geneith Health Competition is open to secondary and tertiary students across Nigeria. To maintain integrity, the organizers have stated that prizes across all categories—including National Star Winners—will be awarded strictly based on merit through a transparent evaluation process that recognizes both intellectual contribution and grassroots impact.

Key points regarding the competition include:

• Total empowerment package of ₦1 billion in cash and scholarships.
• Open to both secondary and tertiary institution students.
• Endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
• Focus on malaria prevention, treatment, and community advocacy.

Eligible students are required to complete their registration through the official Geneith Health Competition portal. The registration window is currently open and is scheduled to close on October 30, 2026. Organizers continue to urge all interested parties to register before the deadline to participate in this national health and empowerment initiative.