In a move to confront one of the most deadliest public health threats, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Golden Initiative For All, GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has called for a united front against Malaria, describing it as a ruthless and silent destroyer of dreams among young people in Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Etinan Council Secretariat, at the GIFA “Operation Zero Mosquito” campaign targeting students from Etinan, Nsit Ibom, and Nsit Ubium Local Government Areas, Lady Obareki charged the 300 students to rise as frontline defenders in the fight to eradicate malaria from their communities.
Represented by the Wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Inemesit Uwah, Lady Obareki described the students not merely as learners, but as “young ambassadors of change” whose destinies must not be sabotaged by a preventable and controllable disease.
She warned that the lush environment and heavy rainfall characteristic of the region have inadvertently created a breeding haven for mosquitoes, exposing a vast majority of residents to constant infection risks, the consequences, she noted, being devastating and disrupted education, weakened productivity, and increased socio-economic strain on families.
"The heavy rainfall and lush vegetation that make our land so fertile, provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Without intervention, nearly 95% of our inhabitants are at risk of infection at any given time.
"This is a direct threat to Educational Advancement, because, when 1 out of every 4 school days is lost to illness due to malaria, school attendance is affected, productivity is weakened and families become burdened.
"We are fighting for your right to learn because malaria is preventable, and together, we can defeat it," she noted.
Reinforcing government’s commitment, Lady Obareki aligned the initiative with the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Bassey Eno, particularly its focus on strengthening healthcare delivery and educational outcomes, emphasizing that while the government continues to equip health facilities and expand access to preventive tools, the battle against malaria cannot be won without active community participation.
In a call to action, she tasked the students to become “Malaria Ambassadors,” championing clean environments, consistent use of treated mosquito nets, and responsible health practices within their homes and communities, warning parents and community leaders to reject self-medication and prioritize early medical intervention at the first sign of fever.
Setting the tone for the event, the Special Assistant to the Governor on General Duties and Team Lead of GIFA, Pastor Anne Abraham, expressed appreciation to Lady Obareki for taking the fight against diseases particularly the “Operation Zero Malaria” campaign to the grassroots. She highlighted that the Fight Against Diseases is one of the eight core mandates of GIFA and noted that 300 students across Etinan Federal Constituency were selected to participate in the programme.
In her welcome remarks, the wife of the Chairman of Etinan Local Government Council, Mrs. Emily Uko Umoh, described malaria as one of the persistent health challenges in Africa, responsible for millions of deaths, with Nigeria significantly affected. She commended GIFA for taking the bold step to educate the public on preventive measures against mosquitoes and urged participants to put the knowledge gained into practice.
Delivering a talk on malaria awareness, Obonganwan Dora Ebong, called for a collective effort toward eliminating malaria in the State. She emphasised the importance of using insecticide-treated mosquito nets in homes, maintaining proper sanitation, and ensuring effective waste disposal within communities. She further advised that not every fever is malaria, stressing the need for proper testing before treatment. According to her, malaria presents specific symptoms and should only be treated with the appropriate medications once properly diagnosed.
Responding, Daramfon Sunday Akpan, who spoke on behalf of the students, expressed gratitude to the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, and GIFA for organising the malaria awareness programme and for equipping them with vital knowledge.
The campaign featured Games, Dance presentation from pupils, symbolic presentation of Mosquito treated nets and stationaries to the students, and a series of goodwill messages from the Chairman of Nsit Ibom, Hon Otobong Aaron, Vice Chairman of Etinan Local Government Council, Hon Imaobong Michael, among others.
In the delegation from the office of the First Lady were the wife of the Member representing Ini State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Mrs Esther Udoide; the wife of the commissioner for Health, Dr Ediongseyene John and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Welfare, Mrs Margaret Edem.
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