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Published

6 months ago

April 17, 2026

FG Ramps Up Malaria Elimination Efforts, Calls for Stronger Community Participation

Abuja, April 17, 2026 – The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating malaria in Nigeria, unveiling intensified strategies focused on prevention, community engagement, and the adoption of global best practices.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made this known on Friday in Abuja while receiving the a veteran actor and the Oloja-Elect of Lagos, Prince Jide Kosoko, who paid him a courtesy visit ahead of the 2026 World Malaria Day.

Speaking during the meeting, Salako said the government had, since 2023, adopted a more proactive and innovative approach to tackling malaria through what he described as the “Rethinking Malaria Strategy,” introduced with the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He explained that the strategy departs from conventional approaches by placing greater emphasis on prevention, data-driven interventions, and multi-sectoral collaboration, while also drawing from the experiences of countries that have successfully eliminated malaria.

As part of this renewed effort, the minister said the government established the Advocacy Committee on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (ACMEN), a global platform designed to harness expertise and strengthen advocacy for malaria eradication across the country.

Salako noted that Nigeria had recorded steady progress in reducing malaria prevalence over the years, citing a decline from about 42 per cent in 2010 to 22 per cent in 2022.

He added that further reductions had been achieved in recent years, reflecting the impact of targeted interventions and improved public health strategies.
According to him, current trends indicate a significant drop in malaria cases nationwide, with only a few states still classified under high transmission, while several others are approaching pre-elimination status.

He cited Lagos State as a leading example, noting that its low prevalence rate demonstrates the possibility of scaling successful interventions across other parts of the country.

The minister also highlighted increased compliance with the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, particularly among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children.

He said available data showed that more than 64 per cent of Nigerians now use treated nets when provided, attributing the improvement to sustained advocacy and public health campaigns.

Salako further disclosed that the National Malaria Strategic Plan had been updated to cover the 2026–2030 period, in alignment with the Health Sector Strategic Renewal Investment Initiative, aimed at ensuring a coordinated, sector-wide response.
While acknowledging the progress made, the minister stressed that government efforts alone would not be sufficient to achieve total elimination of malaria.

He called on Nigerians to take ownership of preventive measures, including maintaining clean surroundings, clearing drainages, eliminating stagnant water, and consistently using insecticide-treated nets.
He also cautioned against the common practice of self-medication without proper diagnosis.

“Not every fever is malaria. It is important that individuals get tested before commencing treatment and adhere strictly to prescribed medications when malaria is confirmed,” he said.

Earlier, Kosoko commended the government’s efforts in addressing malaria and pledged to support ongoing initiatives through grassroots sensitisation and advocacy.
He said he had been engaging students and communities across Lagos and Abuja, educating them on the dangers of malaria and the importance of preventive practices.

Kosoko emphasised the need for stronger community involvement in the fight against malaria, noting that sustainable success would depend largely on public awareness and behavioural change.

The meeting, held under the IMPACT Project, was attended by senior officials of the ministry, including representatives of the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Public Health, and the National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme.

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Eight Athletes, 11 Medals: Applauding Asagba’s Sports Leadership At DELSU

Published

1 week ago

October 14, 2026

The Gleamer

By Godspower Odedede

Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has recorded an impressive outing at the 15th West Africa University Games (WAUG) 2026, winning 11 medals with just eight athletes who represented the university in only three sporting events.

The university won seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals to occupy seventh position on the medal table, an achievement that underscores the potential of its athletes and the importance of purposeful investment in university sports.

DELSU participated in the men’s 100-metre sprint with two athletes, women’s judo with two athletes, and swimming with four male athletes. Despite the limited number of athletes and sporting events, the university’s medal haul was a commendable performance and a source of pride for the institution.

The achievement deserves particular recognition given the restricted scope of DELSU’s participation. With representation in only three sports, the university demonstrated that focused preparation, adequate support and the effective deployment of available talent can produce encouraging results at major university competitions.

A major highlight of DELSU’s preparation for WAUG 2026 was the approval by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, for a quality two-week training programme for the university’s athletes in Asaba.

The camp provided the athletes with an opportunity to prepare using the excellent and up-to-date training facilities available in the state capital.

The initiative is particularly noteworthy as it represents a significant commitment to structured preparation for university sports. Rather than relying solely on athletes’ natural abilities, the training programme recognised the importance of preparation, access to appropriate facilities and institutional investment in performance.

Professor Asagba deserves commendation for this intervention and for demonstrating a willingness to provide practical support for sports development at DELSU. The university’s WAUG performance offers an encouraging indication of what can be achieved when athletes receive purposeful preparation and administrative backing.

The Vice-Chancellor’s broader vision for sports infrastructure is also encouraging. Plans are understood to be underway for the construction of an ultra-modern sports complex for the university in the near future. If delivered as anticipated, the facility could significantly strengthen DELSU’s capacity for athlete development, training, competitions and sports science activities.

Such infrastructure would also support the university’s ambitions to improve its performance at national and international university games. A modern sports complex could provide a foundation for more systematic talent identification, performance monitoring, coaching development and the preparation of athletes across a wider range of sporting events.

Special recognition must also go to Mrs Epebi-Ebi Noah, the swimming coach, who was physically present at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, with the DELSU swimming team during the competition. Her presence and involvement underline the importance of coaching support, technical guidance and close supervision of athletes during major sporting events.

The performance also calls for commendation of the Chairman of the University Sports Committee, Professor Ochuko Nabofa, whose leadership has brought renewed attention and energy to sports development at DELSU. His role in supporting the university’s sports administration and helping to strengthen the sporting environment deserves recognition.

Similarly, the Acting Director of Sports, Peter Omojuwa, deserves commendation for his administrative responsibilities and contribution to the university’s sporting programme. The Chief Coach, Lucky Ajaino, should also be recognised for his role in the technical preparation and development of DELSU athletes.

The combined efforts of the university management, sports committee, sports administrators and coaches are essential to sustaining progress. While medals provide a visible measure of success, the systems established to prepare athletes and support their development are equally important to the long-term growth of university sports.

DELSU’s WAUG achievement follows another notable outing at the last Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) Games, where the university finished fourth. That result was regarded as one of the finest performances in the institution’s sporting history and strengthened expectations that DELSU could become an even more formidable force in university sports.

The latest WAUG performance provides another reason for optimism. However, the university’s participation in only three events also reveals an opportunity for further growth. Expanding participation across more sports, identifying talented students and improving access to specialised training could help DELSU compete for a higher position on future medal tables.

The proposed sports complex, if realised, could play a central role in this expansion. It should ideally be supported by sustained funding, modern equipment, qualified coaches, athlete welfare programmes and collaboration with relevant sports science professionals. These measures would help ensure that infrastructure investment translates into measurable improvements in performance.

The university could also consider strengthening performance analysis, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, talent identification and systematic monitoring of athletes’ progress. Such an approach would help transform individual successes into a sustainable university-wide sports development programme.

DELSU’s performance at WAUG 2026 is worthy of celebration. Eight athletes competed in just three sporting events and returned with 11 medals, including seven gold. The result reflects the potential within the university and provides a strong basis for building a more ambitious sports programme.

Professor Asagba’s approval of the two-week training camp and the prospect of an ultra-modern sports complex offer reasons to look forward to the next phase of DELSU sports development. The challenge now is to sustain the momentum, broaden participation and ensure that the university’s sporting ambitions are matched by consistent investment and effective implementation.

With continued support from the Vice-Chancellor, the University Sports Committee, the Directorate of Sports, coaches and other stakeholders, DELSU can build on its recent achievements and strengthen its position among Nigeria’s leading sporting universities.

The message from WAUG 2026 is clear: DELSU has demonstrated what a small but well-supported contingent can achieve. With broader participation, sustained preparation and modern sporting infrastructure, the university has the potential to accomplish even greater things.

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