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Nigeria to Roll Out New Malaria Intervention for Children in Southern States
Federal Government of Nigeria will soon launch a new malaria prevention program targeting children in the southern part of the country, officials announced Tuesday. The initiative aims to reduce malaria-related illnesses and deaths among children under five, who are most vulnerable to the disease.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The program, led by the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) under the Federal Ministry of Health, will introduce a combination of preventive measures, including seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and improved distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Authorities said the effort will initially cover states with the highest malaria burden.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria remains a leading cause of child mortality in Nigeria. Children under five account for about two-thirds of malaria deaths nationwide. In 2024 alone, Nigeria reported over 40 million malaria cases and more than 100,000 related deaths.
Dr. Zainab Yusuf, Director of the NMEP, explained that the new intervention will provide targeted treatment during peak malaria seasons. “Our goal is to ensure that children receive protection before they are exposed to malaria-carrying mosquitoes,” she said. “This program is backed by research and will be closely monitored to ensure it reaches those who need it most.”
The initiative will also include community outreach and education campaigns to raise awareness about malaria prevention. Health workers will visit schools, clinics, and villages to distribute mosquito nets and provide guidance to parents and caregivers.
The federal government plans to collaborate with state health ministries, local governments, and international partners, including UNICEF and the Global Fund, to ensure smooth implementation. Funding for the program is expected to come from a combination of federal resources and donor support.
Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which spreads through the bite of infected female mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, and fatigue. Severe cases can lead to anemia, organ failure, or death if untreated. The disease remains a major public health challenge, especially in tropical and subtropical regions like southern Nigeria.
Previous malaria control efforts in Nigeria have included mass distribution of mosquito nets, indoor spraying, and community education. While these measures have reduced cases in some areas, experts say malaria continues to claim thousands of young lives each year.
Dr. Yusuf emphasized that the success of the program depends on community participation. “Parents and caregivers must ensure children take preventive medicine as scheduled and sleep under mosquito nets every night,” she said. “Small actions at home can save lives.”
The government also plans to use data-driven approaches to track progress. Health authorities will collect and analyze information on malaria cases, hospital admissions, and deaths to assess the effectiveness of the new intervention. Adjustments will be made as needed to improve coverage and outcomes.
Experts say that if successfully implemented, the program could serve as a model for other regions in Nigeria and across Africa. Dr. Chinedu Okeke, a public health specialist, said, “Targeted interventions like this have proven effective in reducing malaria in high-risk areas. Reaching children early is critical because they are the most susceptible to severe disease.”
The rollout of the new intervention is scheduled to begin in the coming months, with an initial focus on high-risk states in the Niger Delta and southeastern regions. Officials said more states may be included over time, depending on resources and early results.
With malaria remaining a leading cause of preventable child deaths in Nigeria, health authorities hope the new program will save thousands of young lives and move the country closer to the goal of malaria elimination.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his push for an opposition coalition was initially rejected by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he reflected on events following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, he warned party leaders after the election that the PDP could struggle politically without forming alliances with other opposition forces. “To be honest, I was one of the major initiators of this coalition. After the PDP lost the last election, I told the party clearly that I did not see a future for the PDP without a coalition,” he said. Atiku said his advice was rejected at the time, despite his conviction that Nigeria’s political history had shown the importance of alliances. “They disagreed with me then. I have studied Nigeria’s political transition over the years and saw how previous alliances worked, so it was not difficult for me to foresee this,” he stated. The former vice president added that his support for coalition politics was also influenced by his desire to encourage the emergence of younger leaders he believes are vital to Nigeria’s future. “I saw some of these younger politicians as the future leaders of this country, and I felt it was my duty to point that out,” he said. However, Atiku claimed the resistance he encountered within the party was driven more by personal feelings than by disagreement over the substance of his proposal. “They disagreed with me simply because they did not want to see my face, not because of what I was suggesting,” he said. Atiku added that recent political developments have now vindicated his position on the need for a broad opposition alliance ahead of future elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first pursue a consensus arrangement before considering a primary election for its 2027 presidential ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the next general election.
He said he is open to backing a consensus candidate if that becomes the party’s collective decision, stressing that such support should not be interpreted as stepping aside.
“It is not about stepping aside, but whether I am willing to support, and yes, I will,” Atiku said.
According to him, the ADC’s first priority is to build internal unity and reach an agreement among stakeholders before considering a competitive primary process.
“Our first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t happen, then of course we will explore other options. And yes, I will support whoever eventually emerges,” he stated.
Atiku also expressed confidence in the political experience within the party, saying he believes a consensus is achievable and may make a full-scale primary contest unnecessary.
“That remains our preferred path. We will go for primaries if consensus fails, but I honestly do not expect it to get to that stage because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political consultations and coalition talks as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly strengthened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday. Speaking on what makes his latest presidential bid different from previous attempts, Atiku said the ADC coalition brings together key political figures from across major parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party. He described the alliance as a broader and more strategic political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition has created a stronger platform that improves his prospects. “Now, we have a broader coalition — a combination of APC, PDP and LP — which gives me a better chance of becoming president in 2027,” he said. Atiku also noted that the coalition reflects both experience and generational inclusion, which he said shows a clear succession plan. “You see people of my generation, and you see younger people coming behind us, so you can clearly see a succession pattern,” he added. Meanwhile, Atiku described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a decent but inexperienced leader. According to him, Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to shortcomings in governance and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. “I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but he was also inexperienced, and that contributed to his failure in managing the affairs of the country,” Atiku said. He made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced and capable leadership in Nigeria.
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