The campaign, which attracted hundreds of students and members of the surrounding community, offered free malaria testing and distributed prevention kits and antimalarial medications. However, the event extended beyond clinical services—it became a strategic platform to educate, engage, and empower young Nigerians in the fight against malaria.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Mr. Peter Nwosu, Executive Director of Green Life Pharmaceuticals, emphasized the dual significance of the event as both a commemorative occasion and a meaningful intervention. “We are here not just to mark a global health awareness day, but to make a real difference in this vibrant community,” he stated.
He stressed the urgent need to combat malaria, especially across sub-Saharan Africa, and reiterated his organization’s commitment to public health through robust corporate social responsibility programs.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Oghenerukevwe Peretomode, Medical Officer with Clearline HMO, highlighted the collective responsibility required to eliminate malaria. She called on government bodies, the private sector, and citizens to reinvest in health education and preventive measures. “Everyone has a role to play,” she said, “from using mosquito-treated nets and maintaining clean environments to avoiding actions that promote mosquito breeding, like dumping refuse in drainage systems.”
Dr. Peretomode also drew attention to environmental factors exacerbating the malaria burden. She explained how climate change—manifested in increased flooding and rising temperatures—has contributed to a surge in mosquito populations, underscoring the need for a holistic approach that includes environmental stewardship.
A deliberate emphasis on youth engagement shaped the campaign’s direction, with organisers recognizing the transformative potential of young people in public health advocacy. Mr. Chris Ikeagu, General Manager of Green Life Hospital, explained the rationale behind choosing UNILAG as the campaign venue: “We want to engage young people directly. They are the ones who can carry the message forward to their homes and communities. Older generations are already familiar with malaria, but we believe that prevention starts with youth education.”
He also reinforced the gravity of malaria as a deadly disease and urged early diagnosis and proper treatment as critical steps in controlling its spread.
Throughout the day, students engaged in meaningful dialogue with healthcare professionals, participated in awareness sessions, and availed themselves of free medical services. More than just a one-day event, the campaign was designed to sow seeds of knowledge and responsibility among Nigeria’s youth, empowering them to be change agents in their families and communities.
As the event concluded, one message rang clear and true from both organisers and participants alike: malaria is preventable, treatable, and—most importantly—defeatable. And with informed, engaged young Nigerians at the forefront, the vision of a malaria-free nation grows ever more attainable.