BY JULIUS OWEH
Senator Ned Nwoko is on a mission to end the malaria scourge in Africa, with a relentless focus on creating sustainable solutions for the continent.
In line with this mission, the Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation recently hosted a high-level malaria vaccine workshop in Abuja.
The workshop, which took place within the past week, was themed “Building and Strengthening a Sustainable Malaria Manufacturing Ecosystem in Nigeria.”
The senator shared these developments through his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to him, the workshop attracted a diverse group of key stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, all united by the noble goal of producing a homegrown malaria vaccine.
Senator Nwoko also expressed his deep passion for eradicating malaria across Africa.
“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.
In addition to his personal investments, Senator Nwoko revealed that he has sponsored a bill in the Senate titled the Malaria Eradication Agency Bill (SB.172).
This bill aims to establish a dedicated agency that will drive research, vaccine production, funding, and large-scale malaria eradication programs.
He said the public hearing for this bill is set to take place in June 2025.
Senator Nwoko, who expressed hope of solution to the malaria scourge, said: “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.”
Through these initiatives, Senator Nwoko continues to stand at the forefront of Africa’s fight against malaria, working tirelessly toward a healthier future for all.
