The District Head of Lailaba and Sarkin Gobir Lailaba in Kebbi State, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Mera, has endorsed the nationwide Geneith Health Competition, urging traditional rulers, community leaders, governments and development partners to strengthen collective efforts towards eliminating malaria in Nigeria.
The royal father gave his endorsement on August 18, 2026, when he received the competition’s Activator, Aminu Ahmad Zubairu, during a courtesy visit to his palace.
Speaking during the engagement, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Mera called for renewed action against malaria at both global and grassroots levels, stressing the need for sustained investment, community mobilisation and stronger multisectoral collaboration to prevent the disease from regaining ground.
He noted that malaria remains a major threat to vulnerable populations, particularly those living in underserved communities, and warned that progress could be reversed whenever attention and resources devoted to the fight against the disease decline.
“With strong commitment, sustained investment, multisectoral action, and community engagement, malaria can be defeated,” the monarch said.
“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 particularly called for the active involvement of young people in malaria prevention and health advocacy, urging stakeholders to ensure that students in rural and hard-to-reach communities are not left behind.
He said the Lailaba community would support the participation of its students in the competition, noting that equipping young people with health knowledge and advocacy skills would help extend vital information from schools into homes and communities across Kebbi State.
According to him, empowering students as health ambassadors would create a generation capable of championing malaria prevention, encouraging early treatment and promoting healthier practices within their communities.
“This is the kind of initiative the world must rally behind to foster sustainable healthcare solutions, bridge critical awareness gaps, and mobilise local actors against preventable diseases,” he said.
Alhaji Mera also urged other traditional rulers, community leaders and corporate organisations across the country to support the initiative, stressing that traditional institutions have a critical role to play in driving sustainable health interventions at the grassroots.
“The support for the Geneith Health Competition is growing, and we must capitalise on this momentum,” he added.
“I urge all levels of government, private organisations, and community leaders to come together and support this initiative. Our united efforts are essential in effectively combating malaria and safeguarding the health of our citizens.”
Reaffirming the commitment of the Gobir Traditional Council to public health, the monarch described collective action as essential to achieving a malaria-free society.
“It is our collective responsibility to prioritise health initiatives and mobilise resources to create a malaria-free future,” he said.
Responding to the royal endorsement, Activator Aminu Ahmad Zubairu expressed appreciation to the monarch for supporting the youth-focused initiative.
“We are immensely grateful to His Royal Highness, Sarkin Gobir Lailaba, for opening his doors to us and standing firmly behind this youth-centred movement,” Zubairu said.
“His royal blessings serve as a powerful catalyst that will inspire students across Kebbi State to actively join the fight for a malaria-free Nigeria.”
The leadership of the Geneith Health Competition, under the vision of its initiator and Managing Director of CEOAFRICA, Prince Cletus Sunday Ilobanafor, alongside the sponsor, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, also expressed appreciation to the traditional ruler for his support.
Prince Ilobanafor said the initiative was designed to transform students from passive recipients of health information into active ambassadors in the fight against malaria.
“Malaria is Nigeria’s deadliest enemy, causing economic deprivation and loss of lives. Through this competition, our goal is to see students become ambassadors for a malaria-free Nigeria,” he said.
He added that the backing of respected traditional institutions was crucial to expanding grassroots participation, strengthening community ownership and ensuring that malaria education reaches households across the country.
Organised by CEOAFRICA in partnership with the Department of Public Health and sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, the Geneith Health Competition targets secondary and tertiary students across Nigeria at state, regional and national levels.
The initiative combines health education, advocacy and competition, with scholarships, academic rewards and other prizes valued at over ₦1 billion available to participating students.
With traditional institutions increasingly lending their support to the campaign, organisers said the initiative is gaining momentum across the country as it moves towards the October 30, 2026 registration deadline.
