The federal government has selected Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group; Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings; and Femi Otedola, chairman of Geregu Power Plc, to lead the fresh efforts to eliminate malaria in Nigeria through the Nigeria End Malaria Council (NEMC).
The council was established in 2017 and inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari on August 16, 2022.
At the inauguration, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Tunji Alausa said, “It gives me great pleasure to be present in this auspicious meeting whose major objective is to contribute to a reduction in the malaria burden and possibly the elimination of malaria in Nigeria, which will ultimately lead to the improvement in the quality of lives of all Nigerians.”
Alausa noted that Nigeria contributes over a quarter of global malaria cases and about a third of malaria deaths worldwide, mostly affecting children and pregnant women.
He described the situation as “sad”, adding that malaria contributes about 25-30 percent to childhood mortality and about 60 percent of hospital attendance.
The minister said the industry leaders would collaborate with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, national assembly joint health committees, and women organizations to drive the efforts.
He handed over the leadership of the council to Dangote, saying, “By reason of your positions in Nigeria, your passion towards health issues, especially malaria, and the interest groups you represent, your membership to this council is inevitable for the benefit of the larger society, and especially children and pregnant women who are the most affected and would remain forever grateful.”
