Golden Initiative For All, a non Governmental Organisation of the office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom state, has lunched operation zero mosquito in Etinan federal constituency.
The event took place at the Etinan Council’s field and had in attendance 300 secondary school students drawn from the three local government areas of Etinan, Nsit Ibom and Nsit Ubuim.
Addressing the students and stakeholders before the flag off, the Coordinator Office of the First Lady, Noble Lady Helen Eno Obareki, described malaria as the silent killer that must be prevented at all cost.
Lady Obareki who was represented by the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Inemesit Uwah, Ph.D, appreciated the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D for his concern for the health of Akwa Ibom citizens.
“His Excellency believes the greatest wealth of the state is not the oil in the ground but the health of its citizens”
Noble Lady Obareki urged the students to be ambassadors of the campaign and take the message of a ‘mosquito free home is a healthy home’ back home and their classes.
” Let me call on fathers, mothers and community leaders to unite against malaria. When we prevent malaria, we reduce infant mortality rate. Let it not just be a slogan but a lifestyle we are committed to so that malaria will not come and truncate our beautiful future”
Goodwill messages were delivered at the event by the chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Hon. (Dr) Uko Umoh represented by his wife, Mrs Emily Uko Umoh, Chairman of Nsit Ibom, Hon Otobong Aaron, Chairman of Nsit Ubuim represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon Nse Essien as well as the Vice Chairman of Etinan Hon. Imaobong Michael.
Obongawa Dora Ebong delivered Malaria awareness talk where she advised against self medication. She also called on the students to take the message of a clean environment back home.
Highpoint of the event was the distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets to the students.
Malaria is one of the deadliest diseases intropical and sub tropical countries and over 290 million people are infected while 94% of malaria death occur in Africa among children under the age of five.
