Senator Ned Nwoko has reiterated his long-standing commitment to eradicating malaria in Africa, drawing a powerful connection between his 2020 expedition to Antarctica and his ongoing legislative efforts in Nigeria aimed at eliminating the disease.
In a post on his Facebook page, Nwoko recalled his January 2020 journey to the South Pole in Antarctica, described as the coldest and most remote region on Earth, with temperatures reaching as low as –100°C.
He said the expedition was not driven by adventure, but by a deliberate mission to amplify global attention on malaria, a disease that continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually across Africa.
During the expedition, Nwoko became the first Black African to reach the South Pole, where he hoisted the Nigerian flag as a symbol of national pride and Africa’s role in shaping global health priorities.
According to him, the act was intended to assert Africa’s presence in international conversations and highlight the urgency of addressing malaria, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.
“Malaria is preventable, treatable, and eradicable,” the senator noted, describing the continued prevalence of the disease as “not a failure of science, but a failure of collective commitment.”
He explained that Antarctica was chosen for its symbolism, noting that if humanity can reach and survive in the harshest environment on earth, it should be able to mobilize the political will and resources required to eliminate a disease that has burdened Africa for generations.
Beyond its health impact, Nwoko emphasized that malaria remains a major economic, social, and developmental obstacle, undermining productivity and limiting opportunity across the continent.
The senator also provided an update on legislative efforts to translate advocacy into action. His bill proposing the establishment of a dedicated agency for malaria eradication has passed the first and second readings in the Senate and has undergone a public hearing.
The bill is now awaiting its third reading and concurrence by the House of Representatives before transmission to the President for assent.
According to Nwoko, the proposed agency would be singularly focused on doing “all that is necessary” to eradicate malaria, supported by sustained funding, scientific innovation, and strong political will.
He emphasized that malaria eradication is a global responsibility, noting that the fight against the disease extends beyond national borders. “Until it is defeated everywhere,” he said, “the work remains unfinished.”
