By Julius Oweh
Senator Ned Nwoko has reaffirmed his commitment to eradicating malaria in Africa, emphasizing the need for collective action to tackle the deadly disease.
As part of this mission, the Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation recently hosted a high-level malaria vaccine workshop in Abuja, themed:
“Building and Strengthening Sustainable Malaria Manufacturing Ecosystem in Nigeria.”
The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, with a shared goal of developing a homegrown malaria vaccine.
Speaking on his long-standing dedication to the cause, Senator Nwoko revealed the extent of his personal financial contributions.
*”For years, I have invested heavily in this cause, personally donating over $20 million to various universities across Africa for malaria vaccine research and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
But there’s only so much one individual can do. True and lasting change requires collective action – government support, private sector investment, and international collaboration,”* he stated.
To further institutionalize efforts against malaria, Senator Nwoko has sponsored the Malaria Eradication Agency Bill (SB.172) in the Senate.
The proposed law seeks to establish a dedicated agency responsible for:
Research and vaccine production, Funding malaria-related initiatives and Implementing large-scale eradication programs
A public hearing on the bill is scheduled for June 2025, signaling progress in the legislative process.
Senator Nwoko concluded his message with a powerful statement on the urgency of malaria eradication.
“Malaria is a solvable problem. If malaria were a Western disease, we all know the global response would have been swifter,.just as we saw with COVID-19, where vaccines were developed, mass-produced, and distributed within months.
But malaria is our problem, and it is up to us to find a sustainable solution,” he tweeted.
With legislative action, private investment, and global partnerships, Senator Nwoko remains at the forefront of the fight to eliminate malaria from Africa.
