Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, Managing Director of CEOAFRICA and initiator of the Geneith Health Competition (GHC), alongside Mr. Emmanuel Umenwa, Managing Director of Geneith Pharmaceuticals and sponsor of the GHC, was honored with the National Outstanding Leadership Performance Award (NOLPA) by the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) during its 44th Inaugural Senate Sitting on Friday, July 11, 2025.
The prestigious event took place at the House of Chiefs, Agodi Secretariat in Ibadan and was attended by dignitaries from academia, government officials, and enthusiastic students. The NOLPA awarded to Ilobanafor recognized him as the "Most Student-Friendly MD in Nigeria for the Year 2025" in acknowledgment of his tremendous contributions towards the advancement of vocational and polytechnic education in Nigeria. The award highlighted his exemplary leadership and integrity in fostering educational initiatives that empower Nigerian youth.
Also, Mr. Emmanuel Umenwa, the sponsor of the Geneith Health Competition with a remarkable investment of one billion naira, was also commended for his significant role in supporting the initiative aimed at eliminating malaria through youth engagement in secondary and tertiary institutions. The GHC is the first of its kind in Africa, and its in-depth focus on this public health crisis aligns with the World Health Organization’s vision of eradicating malaria, reflecting the competition’s commitment to making a tangible difference in the fight against this disease.
Malaria remains a critical health challenge in Nigeria, which according to the W.H.O, carries the highest malaria burden globally, accounting for approximately 27% of malaria cases and deaths worldwide. The Geneith Health Competition, launched by Muhammad Ali Pate, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, represents a groundbreaking approach to mobilizing youth as ambassadors in the fight against malaria. This initiative not only seeks to raise awareness but actively engages young people in innovative solutions to combat this pervasive disease.
In his response, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor dedicated it to God and to his late father, saying, “I dedicate this award to God and to my father, who just passed on. His belief that ‘service to humanity is key’ is a principle I have promised to uphold.” Ilobanafor emphasized the importance of collaboration, urging stakeholders to support the Geneith Health Competition in their collective mission to eliminate malaria.
“I thank the leadership of Nigerian students for believing in this project. Together, we will eradicate malaria,” he declared, encouraging students to visit the competition’s website to register and participate. Registration for the competition is currently ongoing.
The Geneith Health Competition is not merely a contest; it is a movement designed to empower Nigeria’s youth to take an active stand in public health advocacy. Through education, awareness, and practical engagement, the competition aims to create a generation equipped to confront health challenges and contribute to the well-being of their communities.
For more information and to register for the competition, participants can visit (www.geneithhealthcompetition.com).
