By: Manoah Kikekon
NIGERIA – The national drive to eradicate malaria has received a major boost as three of Nigeria’s most prestigious institutions Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha; St. Patrick’s College, Asaba; and Muwanshat International Academy, Jalingo have officially joined the Geneith Health Competition (GHC). Their entry signals an intensification of the race for the competition’s landmark ₦1 billion prize package.
The Geneith Health Competition, an initiative designed to mobilize students to proffer innovative solutions to the malaria crisis, is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of Nigeria’s public health advocacy. By blending academic rigor with social responsibility, the competition seeks to empower a new generation of "Anti-Malaria Ambassadors" across secondary and tertiary institutions.
The entry of these high-profile schools follows an intensive nationwide sensitization campaign led by GHC activators. In Taraba State, regional health activator Abduljalilu Sani Garba visited Muwanshat International Academy, where he was met with high levels of student engagement. "The students demonstrated an exceptional willingness to engage with the programme," Garba noted, highlighting the confidence and competitive spirit currently fueling the registration drive across Northern Nigeria.
In the South-East, Mrs. Chinyere Chidimma Olisa reported a similar wave of enthusiasm at the historic Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) in Onitsha. Reflecting on the school’s academic heritage, she remarked that the students’ intellectual curiosity marks them as "true champions" in the making.
For school administrators, the competition serves as a critical platform for developing leadership and critical thinking. Revd. Dr. Chiemezie Ogidi, Principal of DMGS, lauded the initiative for transforming students from passive victims of malaria into active agents of change.
"Malaria remains one of the greatest threats to the future of our young people," Ogidi said. "Initiatives like this equip students with the knowledge they need to protect themselves while preparing them to contribute meaningfully to society."
The initiator of the competition and Managing Director of CEOAFRICA, Prince Cletus Sunday Iloabanafor, emphasized that the GHC has evolved into a "national movement." He stated, "The Geneith Health Competition has become much more than a quiz competition. It is a national movement committed to raising a generation of health ambassadors who understand that preventing malaria begins with knowledge, discipline, and community action."
Echoing this sentiment, the Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, stressed that the energy and innovation of Nigerian youth are essential to solving the country's public health challenges. He noted that future editions of the programme are expected to expand beyond malaria to address other critical health and safety issues.
With a total prize pool exceeding ₦1 billion, the competition offers winners at the state, regional, and national levels substantial rewards, including cash prizes, scholarships, and training opportunities. The initiative, endorsed by the Department of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is structured in three progressive levels: State Competition, Regional Competition, and National Finals
As the October 30, 2026, national finale approaches, the organizers are urging all eligible public and private secondary schools, as well as tertiary institutions, to finalize their registrations via the official portal at [www.geneithhealthcompetition.com](http://www.geneithhealthcompetition.com).Elite Schools Join Race for ₦1 Billion as Nationwide Geneith Health Competition Heats Up
NIGERIA – The national drive to eradicate malaria has received a major boost as three of Nigeria’s most prestigious institutions Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha; St. Patrick’s College, Asaba; and Muwanshat International Academy, Jalingo have officially joined the Geneith Health Competition (GHC). Their entry signals an intensification of the race for the competition’s landmark ₦1 billion prize package.
The Geneith Health Competition, an initiative designed to mobilize students to proffer innovative solutions to the malaria crisis, is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of Nigeria’s public health advocacy. By blending academic rigor with social responsibility, the competition seeks to empower a new generation of "Anti-Malaria Ambassadors" across secondary and tertiary institutions.
The entry of these high-profile schools follows an intensive nationwide sensitization campaign led by GHC activators. In Taraba State, regional health activator Abduljalilu Sani Garba visited Muwanshat International Academy, where he was met with high levels of student engagement. "The students demonstrated an exceptional willingness to engage with the programme," Garba noted, highlighting the confidence and competitive spirit currently fueling the registration drive across Northern Nigeria.
In the South-East, Mrs. Chinyere Chidimma Olisa reported a similar wave of enthusiasm at the historic Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) in Onitsha. Reflecting on the school’s academic heritage, she remarked that the students’ intellectual curiosity marks them as "true champions" in the making.
For school administrators, the competition serves as a critical platform for developing leadership and critical thinking. Revd. Dr. Chiemezie Ogidi, Principal of DMGS, lauded the initiative for transforming students from passive victims of malaria into active agents of change.
"Malaria remains one of the greatest threats to the future of our young people," Ogidi said. "Initiatives like this equip students with the knowledge they need to protect themselves while preparing them to contribute meaningfully to society."
The initiator of the competition and Managing Director of CEOAFRICA, Prince Cletus Sunday Iloabanafor, emphasized that the GHC has evolved into a "national movement." He stated, "The Geneith Health Competition has become much more than a quiz competition. It is a national movement committed to raising a generation of health ambassadors who understand that preventing malaria begins with knowledge, discipline, and community action."
Echoing this sentiment, the Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, stressed that the energy and innovation of Nigerian youth are essential to solving the country's public health challenges. He noted that future editions of the programme are expected to expand beyond malaria to address other critical health and safety issues.
With a total prize pool exceeding ₦1 billion, the competition offers winners at the state, regional, and national levels substantial rewards, including cash prizes, scholarships, and training opportunities. The initiative, endorsed by the Department of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is structured in three progressive levels: State Competition, Regional Competition, and National Finals
As the October 30, 2026, national finale approaches, the organizers are urging all eligible public and private secondary schools, as well as tertiary institutions, to finalize their registrations via the official portal at [www.geneithhealthcompetition.com](http://www.geneithhealthcompetition.com).