The Executive governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and a multi-national business tycoon, Alhaji Ali Dangote, were on Friday, May 4, 2012, during the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) World Malaria Day celebration held at the Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, invested with Nigeria Ambassador for Malaria Eradication Award.
Speaking at the occasion, the Minister for Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, emphasized the fight against malaria in Nigeria, adding that it has been made a policy in Nigeria that government hospitals conduct a compulsory malaria test and give treatment free of charge.
He advised that everyone should make use of the long lasting insecticide treated nets which are given free of charge, and that by next year the federal government would move towards the application of biolavicide.
These efforts, he said, would move Nigeria towards zero malaria nation by 2015.
Speaking to newsmen, Onyebuchi said Amaechi and Dangote who were honoured at the occasion, were expected to use their position to support the fight against malaria financially and morally.
In his speech, Gov. Amaechi said Rivers State was the first to sign biolavicide agreement with the Cuban government and that the state was prepared to build biolavicide industry if only the federal government would accept to use of the product.
In his own words, the governor of Imo State, Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha, observed that one of the factors that have sustained the prevalence of malaria was ignorance, while disclosing that all hands must be on deck to win the fight against the scourge.
Also speaking, the chairman, Board of Trustees, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr. Tarilah Tebepah, said NDDC is poised towards building an exemplary leadership, adding that government on their part, has provided world class and tastefully equipped health centres across the state, with qualified medical health personals.
Dr. Tarilah, added that the NDDC would continue to support Niger Delta governors to eradicate malaria and achieve other prime dividends of democracy, and that the fight against malaria must be done.
Earlier, the chairman of the World Malaria Day Celebration Committee, Sir. Patrick Ikemufula, said the event was the first of its kind.
The national coordinator, National Malaria Control programme, Madam Chioma Amajoh, popularly called Mama malaria, observed that the treatment and care of malaria begins from the home, adding that malaria elimination and eradication needed the commitment of everyone.
She maintained that at the national level, the Ministry of Health has made a strong determination and decision to make Nigeria a zero malaria society.
Also speaking, the representative of ECOWAS, who is the vice president of ECOWAS, Mr. Toga Machinbowoh, said as part of their determination and commitment, they have approved a regional approach to curb the menace which according to him, prompted ECOWAS to sign an agreement with the Republic of Cuba, and that there was a strong determination on their own part to make malaria a thing of the pass.
He disclosed that the fight against malaria is a war that must be done while wishing participants a successful world malaria day celebration.
Highlights of the event were a novelty football march between a female football group and their male counterpart, drama, speeches, lectures, exhibition malaria test, treatment of malaria and distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets. ###
Mene Gbarabe
