President Muhammadu Buhari says if Nigeria ends malaria infection in the country, it will save about N687 billion in 2022 and N2 trillion by 2030.
The President said this at the inauguration of the Nigeria End Malaria Council (NEMC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The NEMC members are Shehu Ibrahim (Permanent Secretary, Office of the Vice President on Political and Economic Affairs), Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe (Chairman, Senate Committee on Health), Abubakar Dahiru (Chairman, House Committee on AIDS, TB and Malaria), Dr. Ehanire, Ekumankama, Mahmuda Mamman (Permanent Secretary, Federal Minister of Health).
Others are Tony Elumelu (Chairman, Board of Directors, UBA Group), Folurunsho Alakija (CEO, Rose of Sharon Group), Herbert Wigwe (CEO, Access Bank), Femi Otedola (CEO Forte Oil), Hajiya Lami Lau (President, National Council of Women Societies), John Cardinal Onaiyekan (Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese), Alhaja Rafiyat Sanni (National Amira (Federation of Muslim Women Nigeria, FOWAN) and Dr. Perpetua Uhomoibhi (NEMC Secretariat/National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP).
He informed the 16-member council, headed by the Founder and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, that beyond improving the quality of life, health, and well-being of Nigerians, the concerted strategy to tackle malaria also has public health and socio-economic benefits for the nation.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari said: “Our inauguration today will, therefore, ensure that malaria elimination remains a priority on our agenda, with strong political commitment from leaders at all levels.
“Additionally, the End Malaria Council will provide a platform to advocate for more funding to protect and sustain progress made so far by our country, and put us on a pathway to ending malaria for good.”
