Wife of the Delta State Governor, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, was officially invested as the 2025 Net Ambassador during a ceremony held on Monday at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
The investiture was part of a broader event marking the launch of the measles-rubella vaccine advocacy and the official kickoff of the long-lasting insecticidal treated net (ITN) distribution campaign in the state.
Deaconess Oborevwori was decorated by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, alongside representatives from the Society for Family Health, led by its Project Director, John Ocholie.
This initiative marks the beginning of a statewide campaign to distribute approximately 3.1 million mosquito nets across all wards in Delta State.
However, 40 wards classified as urban centres have been excluded from the direct distribution, as they are considered to have a lower mosquito burden. Residents in those areas are expected to access nets through alternative means.
John Ocholie explained that 1,588 distribution points have been established across the 25 local government areas of the state.
The net collection is scheduled to take place from May 26 to May 30. Prior to this, distribution agents will visit communities between May 8 and May 15 to issue e-tokens to households—tokens that must be presented as pre-requisites to collect the nets.
He expressed gratitude for the First Lady’s acceptance of the ambassadorial role, emphasizing that her involvement would accelerate public participation and awareness across the state.
Ocholie also urged religious, traditional, and community leaders to support the campaign by mobilizing residents to collect their nets and protect themselves against malaria.
Dr. Julie Ania, the state’s Malaria Program Manager for the Society for Family Health, described the First Lady’s appointment as fitting, noting that she serves as a maternal figure for the state.
She highlighted that community mobilization had already begun, with teams conducting door-to-door visits to register families and distribute the e-tokens.
She clarified that mosquito nets would be distributed based on household size, with a standard of one net per two people and a maximum of four nets per family.
Areas excluded from the campaign were identified as having low mosquito activity and minimal malaria risk.
Emmanuel Edejhero, a health educator with the Delta State Ministry of Health, confirmed that civil society organizations and Ward Development Committees would actively participate in the campaign. He added that the First Lady’s involvement would further strengthen community trust and engagement in the malaria prevention effort.
