By Eseoghene Emuke
Popular philanthropist and global anti-malaria campaigner in Africa, Prince Ned Nwoko, has called for a more vigorous approach in the fight against malaria in African continent.
Nwoko, who currently has voted multi-million dollars to the anti-malaria vaccine, particularly charged on African leaders to seek ‘African Solution’ through investment in researches in battling the disease in the continent.
The former House of Representatives member stressed that there is need for leaders in the continent to take the battle against malaria even more serious than the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
Nwoko expressed optimism that anti-malaria campaign which he is the chief campaigner will succeed against all odds.
The billionaire lawyer spoke at the main campus of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, on Saturday when he was honoured with a ‘Distinguished Service Award’ by the institution for being in the vanguard in the fight against malaria and service to humanity.
The event which was attended by DELSU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, was organized by the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences.
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Speaking after being presented with the award, an elated Nwoko said the ravaging malaria disease in Africa deserves an African approach, saying he has committed his life towards ending the menace especially in Nigeria.
He posited that malaria even during the COVID-19 outbreak killed more people in the continent than the dreaded coronavirus.
The renowned lawyer noted that as part of his commitment to eradicate the disease he had led a delegation to Antarctica where he meant which scientists who are currently working with his foundation to find a cure for it.
The former federal lawmaker explained that as parts of efforts at eradicating the disease in Nigeria, his foundation would soon engage about three million youths across the country to embark on a vigorous clean-up exercise.
He disclosed that his foundation is also working with other stakeholders to build waste recycling plants in all local government councils in Nigeria to help covert waste to wealth.
“It will require close to a lockdown like we experienced in the last three months. The cleanup will involve everybody. What that mean is that we have to introduce something different that in every local government of the country there will be a recycling plant that will help us to manage waste.
“Everyone of us must learn how to sort refuse. There will be colour-coded bins. The refuse collection will be done weekly from the houses. That will be a lot of work for the youths.
“We are looking at nothing less than three million workers. The finished products will be reusable. What will happen in the next few years is that there will be a new regime of cleanliness,” he added.
Aside being known for his anti-malaria campaign, Prince Nwoko is also the president of the Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation and founder Stars University, a dedicated first sports university in Africa.
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Earlier, DELSU VC, Prof. Egwunyenga, who commended the Nwoko for his anti-malaria advocacy across the world, described malaria as ‘Africa’s public number one enemy’ which has killed thousands of persons.
He stated that DELSU, which present ranks 38 among Nigerian universities, is ready to partner with the malaria research team for a vaccine.
In her remark, Head of Department, Mass Communication, Dr. (Mrs) Joyce Ogwezi, said Ned Nwoko was carefully chosen for the ‘Distinguished Service Award’ after considering impact of service to humanity and being a light to many.
The awardee, Prince Nwoko, however donated N20 million to the Department of Mass Communication to ensure it meets the requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC), scheduled to pay an evaluation visit to the school this October.
The prominent academia including Deans of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Arts, Professor Atare Otite, Prof. Sunny Awhefeada, Ass. Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri and a former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta Council; Mr. Norbert Chiazor were among those who graced the ceremony.
