By: Manoah Kikekon
KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA – Traditional institutions have been called upon to take a front-row seat in public health advocacy, as the District Head of Lailaba and Sarkin Gobir Lailaba in Kebbi State, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Mera, officially endorsed the nationwide Geneith Health Competition.
The royal endorsement came on August 18, 2026, when the monarch received the competition’s Activator, Aminu Ahmad Zubairu, during a high-level courtesy visit to his palace.
During the engagement, Alhaji Mera stressed the urgent need for sustained investments, community mobilisation, and multisectoral collaboration to prevent malaria from regaining ground in vulnerable and underserved populations. Warning that complacency can easily reverse hard-won public health gains, the monarch emphasized that traditional structures remain vital to reaching deep into grassroots communities.
“With strong commitment, sustained investment, multisectoral action, and community engagement, malaria can be defeated,” Alhaji Mera declared. “Malaria is a killer disease, and anything that supports its eradication is welcome. Our students are ready to take up the challenge and excel in this competition.”
The traditional ruler advocated for active youth involvement, noting that equipping students with health knowledge allows vital information to travel seamlessly from schoolrooms into homes and communities across Kebbi State. By turning students into active health ambassadors, the initiative aims to encourage early treatment and foster proactive preventive practices.
Responding to the royal endorsement, Activator Aminu Ahmad Zubairu expressed deep appreciation to the monarch, noting that royal blessings serve as a powerful catalyst to inspire students across the state.
Organised by [CEOAFRICA](https://www.geneithhealthcompetition.com/) in partnership with the Department of Public Health, and sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited (powered by Coatal Forte Softgel), the competition engages secondary and tertiary students across state, regional, and national levels. With prizes, academic rewards, and scholarships valued at over ₦1 billion on the line, the initiative transforms students from passive listeners into vibrant change-makers.
The visionary behind the project and Managing Director of CEOAFRICA, Prince Cletus Sunday Ilobanafor, reiterated that the campaign addresses one of Nigeria’s most persistent economic and health burdens.
“Malaria is Nigeria’s deadliest enemy, causing economic deprivation and loss of lives,” Prince Ilobanafor stated. “Through this competition, our goal is to see students become ambassadors for a malaria-free Nigeria.”