By Tajudeen Babamale

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has called on Nigerians to unite in the fight against malaria, saying the disease imposes a heavy economic burden on the people, leading to increased illness and death, healthcare costs, and reduced performance among able people.

Prof. Egbewole made this statement last Tuesday (July 2, 2024) while receiving a team from the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), a pet project of the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, who paid him a courtesy call ahead of their routine surveillance on mosquito behavior in Kwara State.

The Vice Chancellor, who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho, said that malaria is a tropical disease, pointing out that  if its prevalence were to be in the developed world, they would have developed a vaccine to tackle it before now.

He, however, said it is encouraging to see the Nigerian government show serious commitment to combating malaria.

 While pledging the University of Ilorin’s support to the national effort, the Vice Chancellor said, “As a university, we will provide all the support needed to achieve a successful study. One of the things we have not been able to do as a country is to get value for money. We hope the team will do everything possible to ensure that the outcome will be worth every kobo spent on the study.”

Speaking earlier, an Assistant Director of Vector Control at the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Omo-Eboh Mamudu, explained the significance of ongoing efforts to combat malaria in Kwara State and across Nigeria.

Mr Mamudu noted that their focus this time is on understanding mosquito behaviour in order to determine effective strategies to combat the disease.

The Assistant Director explained that this routine surveillance is part of the New Net Project, which was established in 2020, and the essence is to make the country free of malaria.

“The minister has given us a marching order to seek alternatives to mosquito nets”, adding, however, that “before we can deploy anything, it is essential for us to understand mosquito behaviour, which will be instrumental in deciding our next action.”

He stated that the Federal Ministry of Health has established partnerships with various institutions, including the University of Ilorin, to advance this initiative. He added that the support of the University of Ilorin and other partner institutions is crucial for the success of this initiative.

Joining the Vice Chancellor to receive the team was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Folorunsho Ambali.

The team was led to the Vice Chancellor’s Committee Room by Prof. A. T. Ande of the Department of Zoology. Other members of the team were Dr Abiodun Obembe from Kwara State University, Mrs Silas Adenike Abigail, Kwara State Ministry of Health; Mrs Olateju Mituat Temitope, Kwara State Ministry of Health; and an Entomologist, Dr Olukayode Adelaja.