Managing Director of CEOAFRICA and initiator of the Geneith Health Competition (GHC), Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, alongside Managing Director of Geneith Pharmaceuticals and sponsor of the GHC, Mr. Emmanuel Umenwa, have been honoured with the National Outstanding Leadership Performance Award (NOLPA) by the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS).

The prestigious event took place at the House of Chiefs, Agodi Secretariat in Ibadan during its 44th Inaugural Senate Sitting on Friday, July 11, 2025. It was attended by dignitaries from academia, government officials, and enthusiastic students.

The NOLPA awarded to Ilobanafor recognised him as the “Most Student-Friendly MD in Nigeria for the Year 2025” in acknowledgement of his tremendous contributions towards the advancement of vocational and polytechnic education in Nigeria. The award highlighted his exemplary leadership and integrity in fostering educational initiatives that empower Nigerian youth.

Also, Umenwa, the sponsor of the GHC with a remarkable investment of one billion naira, was commended for his significant role in supporting the initiative aimed at eliminating malaria through youth engagement in secondary and tertiary institutions.

The GHC is the first of its kind in Africa, and its in-depth focus on this public health crisis aligns with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) vision of eradicating malaria, reflecting the competition’s commitment to making a tangible difference in the fight against this disease.

Malaria remains a critical health challenge in Nigeria, which, according to the WHO, carries the highest malaria burden globally, accounting for approximately 27 per cent of malaria cases and deaths worldwide. The Geneith Health Competition, launched by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria, Muhammad Ali Pate, represents a
groundbreaking approach to mobilising youth as ambassadors in the fight against malaria. This initiative not only seeks to raise awareness but also actively engages young people in innovative solutions to combat this pervasive disease.

In his response to receiving the award, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor dedicated it to God and to his late father, stating, “I dedicate this award to God and to my father, who just passed on. His belief that ‘service to humanity is key’ is a principle I have promised to uphold.”

Ilobanafor emphasised the importance of collaboration, urging stakeholders to support the GHC in their collective mission to eliminate malaria.

“I thank the leadership of Nigerian students for believing in this project. Together, we will eradicate malaria,” he declared, encouraging students to visit the competition’s website to register and participate. Registration for the competition is currently ongoing.

He noted that the GHC is not merely a contest; it is a movement designed to empower Nigeria’s youth to take an active stand in public health advocacy, adding that through education, awareness, and practical engagement, the competition aims to create a generation equipped to confront health challenges and contribute to the well-being of their communities.