Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation’s Journey Towards Eradicating Malaria in Africa on World Malaria Day 2023
World Malaria Day, observed annually on April 25th, highlights the urgent need for continued investment in malaria prevention, control, and eradication. Despite global efforts, malaria remains the most deadly disease, with sub-Saharan Africa being the most affected region, according to the World Malaria Report. In the fight against malaria, one foundation has continued to play a significant role in Africa. The Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation, through its Africa Malaria Eradication Project, has prioritized sanitation, waste management, fumigation/spray, and vaccine development to combat the disease.
The Foundation’s founder and chairman, Prince Ned Nwoko, recently praised the Nigerian government’s approval of the Oxford University R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, but emphasized that the ultimate solution to malaria lies in creating a clean environment through waste management and recycling plants.
Since launching its Malaria Eradication Campaign for Africa in December 2019, the Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation has engaged in various programs and interventions across the continent to advocate for malaria eradication. These include high-level meetings with organizations like the United Nations, WHO, and UNESCO, as well as Nigerian government officials, African leaders, and relevant stakeholders. The Foundation also commemorates World Malaria Day every year, most recently with a 5000-man walk in Abuja and a media chat with newsmen.
The Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation’s efforts have yielded significant results, including official collaboration with the World Health Organization, the hosting of the Global Action for Malaria Free Africa (GAMFA) virtual side event during the United Nations General Assembly in 2021, and the sponsorship of mosquito entomological research in Delta State.
As we observe the 2023 World Malaria Day, the Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation calls on all stakeholders to align with this year’s theme, “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement.” The Foundation reaffirms its commitment to ensuring sustainable implementation of malaria eradication strategies in Nigeria through the proposed creation of a Federal government agency. Prince Ned Nwoko and the Foundation remain steadfast in their determination to end malaria in Africa.
