Senator Ned Nwoko has renewed calls for the total eradication of malaria in Africa, drawing a compelling link between his historic 2020 expedition to Antarctica and ongoing legislative efforts in Nigeria aimed at eliminating the deadly disease.
In a post on his Facebook page, the senator recalled his January 2020 journey to the South Pole in Antarctica, widely regarded as the coldest and most remote region on Earth, with temperatures plunging to as low as, 100°C.
He explained that the expedition was not undertaken for adventure, but as a strategic effort to draw global attention to malaria, a preventable disease that continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives across Africa each year.
During the expedition, Nwoko made history as the first Black African to reach the South Pole, where he hoisted the Nigerian flag as a symbol of national pride and Africa’s stake in shaping global health priorities.
He said the gesture was intended to affirm Africa’s presence in international discourse and underscore the urgency of tackling malaria, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.
“Malaria is preventable, treatable, and eradicable,” the senator stated, describing its persistent prevalence as “not a failure of science, but a failure of collective commitment.”
He further explained that Antarctica was deliberately chosen for its symbolism, noting that if humanity can survive and operate in the harshest environment on Earth, it should be able to muster the political will and resources required to eliminate a disease that has plagued Africa for generations.
Beyond its health implications, Nwoko emphasized that malaria remains a significant economic, social, and developmental challenge, undermining productivity and restricting opportunities across the continent.
Providing an update on legislative progress, the senator disclosed that his bill seeking to establish a dedicated malaria eradication agency has passed its first and second readings in the Senate and has also undergone a public hearing.
The bill is now awaiting a third reading and concurrence by the House of Representatives before being transmitted to the President for assent.
According to Nwoko, the proposed agency would be solely focused on doing “all that is necessary” to eradicate malaria, backed by sustained funding, scientific innovation, and strong political commitment.
He concluded by stressing that malaria eradication is a global responsibility that transcends national boundaries. “Until it is defeated everywhere,” he said, “the work remains unfinished.”
