Speaking on the burden of malaria he lamented that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria alone accounts for 27 per cent of all cases of malaria and 32 per cent of deaths globally especially among children and pregnant women.
He stated that it has been projected that the successful implementation of the eradication agenda of the council will save the country from an estimated economic effects of the ailment totaling around N687billion in 2022 and N2trillion by 2030.
He said, “Our inauguration today will, ensure that malaria elimination remains a priority on our agenda, with strong political commitment from leaders at all levels, the End Malaria Council will provide a platform to advocate for more funding to protect and sustain progress made so far by our country, and put us on a pathway to ending malaria"
The President disclosed that he chose Dangote to chair the Council in recognition of his track record and passion in supporting initiatives on various health issues such as polio and primary health care system strengthening.
He expressed confidence that Dangote would bring his outstanding achievements to help the country achieve its goal of malaria eradication
The President also thanked the Chairman of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Global Fund, the United States Agency for International Development, the President’s Malaria Initiative, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO , UNICEF, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, other implementing partners and the private sector for their continuous support to the federal ministry of health and the malaria programme.
In his acceptance speech, Alhaji Dangote thanked the President and all members of the Council for entrusting him with the enormous responsibility, pledging to work hard to achieve the mandate.
“I must confess that this resonates with my current role as the Nigerian Ambassador for Malaria, my role on the Global End Malaria Council and with the work that my foundation is doing to mobilise the private sector to support malaria control in Nigeria and Africa at large,” he said.
The council members include permanent secretary, office of the vice president on political and economic affairs, Shehu Ibrahim; chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Ekiti state governor Kayode Fayemi; Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Yahaya Oloriegbe; Chairman, House Committee on AIDS, TB and Malaria, Abubakar Dahiru; minister of health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; minister of state for health, Barrister Joseph Ekumankama; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mahmuda Mamman.
Chairman, Board of Directors, UBA, Tony Elumelu; CEO, Rose of Sharon Group, Folurunsho Alakija; CEO, Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe; CEO Forte Oil, Femi Otedola; President, National Council of Women Societies, Lami Lau; Emertius Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Onaiyekan; National Amira, Federation of Muslim Women Nigeria, Rafiyat Sanni; and NEMC Secretariat/National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr Perpetua Uhomoibhi.
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