The Rivers State government has expressed its readiness to support public health initiatives geared towards the elimination of malaria in communities in the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu made the pledge at the 5th Malaria Annual Health colloquium held at the Rivers State University.
Represented at the occasion by the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, Dr. Vetty Agala, the deputy governor stated that malaria remained a major public challenge, explaining that occasions like the 5th colloquium reaffirmed the government’s resolve to confront the challenge through innovation, research, and strategic partnership
According to Prof. Odu, the theme of the 2026 colloquium, “Accelerating Malaria Elimination Through Academic Innovation: Rivers State University Leads the way,” underscores the critical role of academia in developing sustainable solutions and sharing policies that will ultimately help to eliminate malaria.
The deputy governor called on all stakeholders, government agencies, development partners, the private sector, and communities to intensify efforts towards prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment of the scourge.
Prof. Odu commended the organisers for their dedication and vision in driving the initiative which she described as impactful.
Director of Health Services at the state health agency, which co-sposored the colloquium ,Dr. Barinen Dimkpa, said that malaria remains one of the most persistent health challenges in Nigeria and across Sub-Saharan Africa, stressing that the elimination of malaria is central in achieving universal health coverage.
While lamenting the prevalence of malaria scourge in the communities despite decades of interventions, he stated that it is the vulnerable population that is worst hit.
However,he expressed belief that the colloquium presents a platform to interrogate the issues, share insights, and strengthen the needed partnership towards accelerating progress.
The health officer averred that the burden of malaria is not only clinical; but economic, social, and deeply systemic, adding that universities have pivotal roles to play towards its elimination.
He also encouraged all participants to come up with bold, practical, and solution-oriented views that could help to eliminate the scourge.
Dr. Barinen further explained that the RIVCHPP’s mandate is to provide financial risk protection and to ensure every Rivers resident can access health care without suffering financial hardship. He called on everyone to come and enrol with the agency.
Sponsor of the colloquium and President of Erens Ekprikpo Health Foundation, Dr. Ekprikpo Spiff, who was full of gratitude to all partners, attendees and institutions that have been supportive towards the elimination of malaria said that more meaningful collaborations are still needed to reach the hard to reach areas of the state.
Dr. Spiff, who expressed optimism on the possibility of having malaria eliminated in communities, said that the deliberations at the colloquium would help to save lives in the future,by promoting policies that support innovations, dedicated funding, and strong collaborations.
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Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb- Obipi, represented by Prof. Fortune Amah Tariah, pledged the readiness of the university to always support research, innovations, and solutions targeted at solving societal problems.
The vice chancellor who said that the theme of the colloquium is a call to action, described universities and research institutions as the engines for innovations, however cautioned that knowledge not applied, and excellence which does not serve society are not useful.
The colloquium featured a keynote address by Prof. Boma Oboro, two panel sessions where reasoned professionals, including the immediate past Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, Dr. Chidinma Oreh discussed the issue of how to eliminate malaria
