News

NYSC, Ned Nwoko Foundation Join Forces On Malaria Control

Published

4 years ago

April 20, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The National Youth Service Corps and the Ned Nwoko Foundation have begun talks on a partnership for the control of malaria in the country.

The proposal came today when the Chairman of the Foundation, Prince Ned Nwoko, paid a courtesy visit to the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim in his office in Abuja.

Nwoko, who described malaria as endemic with about 500,000 deaths resulting from it annually, said the Foundation was determined to tackle the disease in Africa, beginning with Nigeria.

He stressed the need for effective sensitization of the public on measures to curb the high rate of malaria attack in Nigeria, especially the creation of clean environment that would not serve as breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“Research has revealed that malaria and mosquitoes are not natural to us: they can be eradicated. The first thing is to address the cause, mosquito, which breeds and multiplies in dirty environment,” he said.

The Chairman lamented the huge amounts of refuse dumped all over the country thereby posing great risks to health, and explained that the first strategy mapped out by the Foundation was to address the issue of sanitation, including effective waste management.

According to him, the plan included the siting of a multi-functional waste recycling plant in each Local Government Area of the country to turn wastes into plastic products and paper as well as generate energy from same.

He added that the next step would be aerial and land fumigation across the country using chemicals that are harmless to humans with the aim of eliminating mosquitoes as well as maintain clean and healthy environment.

Nwoko also disclosed that the Foundation would be driving research on malaria vaccine in Nigeria, adding that trials were already going on in some countries. He expressed the hope that the efficacy of the vaccine would be determined by the end of this year.

The Chairman further announced plan to submit a Bill on malaria control to the National Assembly.

He said the Foundation considered NYSC as a worthy partner for the project in view of the huge Corps manpower at its disposal and its widespread presence in the country.

“NYSC is the largest employer of human labour and we will need your support. There will be a need for a technical team of our Foundation and NYSC for the actualization of this project”, Nwoko said.

Responding, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim Ibrahim commended Ned Nwoko for his contributions towards making Nigeria a malaria-free country.

“You are doing so much; continue to fight for the betterment of our country”, he said.

Ibrahim added that Corps Members had participated in several national assignments including health-related ones with enviable track records of performance.

He said the successes recorded by the Corps Members informed Federal Government’s decision to appoint NYSC to some of its Committees, including the ones on the Mambila Hydro-Power Project and the Alternate School Programme.

He added that the Scheme mobilized more than 350,000 Corps Members annually for national development, while their potentials are being explored for income generation for the country.

Also during the visit, the President, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Mr Emeka Rollas commended the Director-General for his tremendous achievements in managing the affairs of the Scheme.

He also commended Corps Members’ contributions to national development, especially in the health sector.

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Foreign news

Diplomatic Community in Nigeria Joins Italian Envoy in National Day Celebration

Published

10 hours ago

June 2, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

It was a vibrant evening of joy, connection, and cultural celebration as the Acting Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, Mr. Iacopo Foti, hosted members of Nigeria’s diplomatic community in Abuja to commemorate Italy’s National Day, la Festa della Repubblica.

Held in the heart of Nigeria’s capital, the event was a memorable gathering marked by laughter, heartfelt exchanges, and a shared appreciation for the enduring ties between Italy and Nigeria.
In his address, Mr. Foti described the occasion as a time to reflect on the core values that define Italy: liberty, democracy, justice, and the enduring creativity and resilience of its people.

“It is a day to celebrate our rich history, our unparalleled cultural heritage, and our contributions to art, science, and innovation,” he said. “But beyond Italy, today we also celebrate the strong and growing bonds between the Republic of Italy and the Federal Republic of Nigeria — our economies, our cultures, and above all, our people.”

The ambassador emphasized the depth of the bilateral relationship, recalling that diplomatic ties between Italy and Nigeria were established on February 20, 1960. He noted that since the 1970s and 1980s, Nigeria has become a second home for many Italians who have contributed significantly across various sectors.

“We are proud to be part of this welcoming and vibrant society,” he said. “I have personally witnessed the dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, and warmth of the Nigerian people, as well as their hospitality toward the Italian community.”

Looking ahead, Mr. Foti expressed optimism about the future of Italy-Nigeria relations, pointing to untapped opportunities for deeper economic cooperation, technological collaboration, and cultural and academic exchange.

“Nigeria is a cultural powerhouse, a leader in Africa and globally in art, literature, and film,” he remarked. “Italy, with its deep-rooted cultural legacy, is eager to expand its engagement with Africa, and particularly with Nigeria.”

He acknowledged the growing Nigerian interest in Italian culture — from fashion and design to cinema and tourism — while noting that Italy hosts the third-largest Nigerian diaspora community globally, after the United States and the United Kingdom.

The ambassador also highlighted the countries’ cooperation on global challenges such as climate change, peace and security, migration, and human trafficking. Both nations are signatories to the Paris Agreement and active participants in global policy dialogues.

“Our relationship is built on mutual respect and understanding,” he noted. “We see this in our economic ties, cultural exchanges, love for football, and the increasing number of Nigerians who study and travel to Italy, as well as Italians drawn to Nigeria’s rich history and culture.”

He pointed out the many shared qualities between Italians and Nigerians, from strong family values and communal bonds to a vibrant fashion industry and a dynamic film sector.

“We are both historically migrant societies that have achieved success abroad while keeping close ties to our homeland,” Mr. Foti said. “We share humor, resilience, and a deep appreciation for life’s ironies.”

Addressing the issue of stereotypes, he cited renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, saying: “The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete.”

He concluded by expressing gratitude for the support of Nigerian authorities and all who attended the celebration.

“On behalf of the Italian government and the people of Italy, I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who joined us. Your presence is a testament to the strength of our friendship and our shared future.”

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