The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has called for a collective and sustained effort to eradicate malaria, stressing that the disease remains one of the greatest health threats facing communities, especially vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.
Speaking at an event to mark the 2025 World Malaria Day in Awka, the state capital, Mrs. Soludo emphasized that ending malaria requires the active involvement of every stakeholder, from government and health agencies to individuals and communities. The theme for this year’s World Malaria Day, “Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a Healthier Future,” served as a rallying call for renewed commitment and practical actions.
Mrs. Soludo, who is also a strong advocate for maternal and child health under the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, expressed concern over the continued prevalence of malaria despite decades of efforts. She noted that Nigeria bears one of the highest burdens of malaria globally, accounting for a significant percentage of global malaria cases and deaths.
“In Anambra State and indeed across Nigeria, malaria continues to threaten our dreams for a healthy and prosperous society,” Mrs. Soludo said. “We must recognize that ending malaria is not the responsibility of a few, but a collective mission that demands action from all of us.”
She highlighted several factors contributing to the stubborn presence of malaria, including poor environmental sanitation, limited access to quality healthcare, resistance to antimalarial drugs, and widespread misinformation. According to her, addressing these issues requires a multipronged approach involving policy change, community education, improved healthcare delivery, and personal responsibility.
Mrs. Soludo used the occasion to outline some of the state government’s ongoing efforts to combat malaria. These include the free distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying campaigns, health education programs, and improved access to antimalarial medicines. She also mentioned collaborations with international organizations to strengthen malaria control programs.
However, she warned that government efforts alone would not be sufficient without the full cooperation of the people. She called on communities to adopt simple preventive measures, such as sleeping under mosquito nets, eliminating stagnant water around homes, ensuring proper sanitation, and seeking early treatment when symptoms appear.
“Our communities must embrace cleanliness and environmental hygiene as daily habits, not just during special campaigns. Every household must see the fight against malaria as a fight for their own lives and those of their children,” Mrs. Soludo stated.
The event, attended by health professionals, government officials, traditional rulers, students, and representatives of civil society organizations, featured a range of activities including free malaria testing, distribution of mosquito nets, health talks, and educational dramas designed to raise awareness about malaria prevention.
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, also spoke at the event, reinforcing the government’s commitment to reducing malaria cases. He praised the efforts of health workers across the state and called for continuous community participation to sustain progress.
Dr. Obidike announced that Anambra had recently received fresh consignments of antimalarial drugs and rapid diagnostic test kits, which would be distributed across all primary healthcare centers. He assured the public that these interventions would be monitored closely to ensure they reach the intended beneficiaries.
Traditional rulers present at the event pledged to take the anti-malaria message back to their communities. Speaking on behalf of the Council of Traditional Rulers, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, said traditional institutions have a crucial role to play in driving grassroots action against malaria.
He promised that traditional rulers across the state would intensify sensitization campaigns in their various domains, encouraging people to maintain clean environments and make use of available health resources.
A highlight of the event was the public launch of a new state-wide campaign tagged “Malaria-Free Anambra,” aimed at mobilizing communities, schools, churches, and markets around malaria prevention and treatment strategies.
Participants left the event with a renewed sense of responsibility and hope that through consistent and united efforts, malaria could one day be a disease of the past.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Soludo urged everyone to go beyond the World Malaria Day celebration and make malaria prevention a part of their daily lives. She expressed optimism that with sustained commitment and collective action, Anambra State would soon lead the way in achieving a malaria-free Nigeria.
“Together, we can end malaria. Together, we can save lives. Let us all rise to the task,” she concluded.
World Malaria Day, commemorated globally every 25th of April, serves as an important reminder of the urgent need to continue the fight against malaria, a disease that remains preventable and treatable, yet continues to claim lives, particularly in Africa.
