In a bold and timely move, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the South West, Moremi Ojudu, has taken the campaign against malaria to the heart of Makoko’s Ago-Egun community in Iwaya-Makoko, Yaba Local Council Development Area. Under the banner of “Change The Narrative Now,” this initiative marks a renewed and energized drive to confront malaria, one of Nigeria’s most persistent public health challenges, particularly within underserved communities.
The campaign, launched in collaboration with Chestrad Global and the Federal Ministry of Health, was unveiled as part of the activities commemorating World Malaria Day 2024. With the global theme “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world,” the event served as both a rallying cry and an action plan for meaningful change. Moremi Ojudu emphasized the need to take the battle to the grassroots, stating that malaria continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. She called on citizens to embrace not only treatment but prevention, environmental hygiene, and sustained public health education.
The Makoko event brought together a wide range of interventions. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets and sanitation supplies were distributed to households.
Medical personnel were present on-site, offering free screenings and dispensing antimalarial medication. Educational sessions were also held to inform residents on preventive practices, while essential food supplies were provided to support families already affected by malaria. It was a holistic effort to meet both immediate and long-term needs.
Moremi Ojudu reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to tackling malaria head-on. She expressed confidence that through collaboration and sustained effort, significant progress could be made. She encouraged communities to take ownership of their health outcomes and to remain actively involved in public health efforts. “We are confident that through a collaborative approach, we can significantly reduce malaria cases in the Southwest,” she said. “By working together, we can change the narrative and create a healthier future for our communities.”
The “Change The Narrative Now” campaign is part of a broader national and global effort to eliminate malaria. Recent insights from public health advocates have highlighted how community-driven solutions are crucial. The campaign is inspiring citizens to demand better political accountability, improved supply chains for essential malaria commodities, and greater focus on environmental control of mosquito breeding grounds.
The campaign is not only a medical intervention but also a powerful communication strategy. Media initiatives such as the #ChangeTheStory film project are amplifying the voices of those affected by malaria, especially children. These stories have resonated deeply, shedding light on the emotional, social, and economic toll malaria takes on families and communities.
The use of storytelling has proven to be a potent tool in generating empathy, urgency, and sustained attention toward malaria eradication.
As Nigeria continues to lead the charge across Africa, the Makoko outreach has become a model for grassroots health interventions. With community engagement at its core, the campaign is helping shift the public mindset from passive acceptance of malaria to a proactive, solution-oriented stance.
Moremi Ojudu’s leadership exemplifies how political will, strategic partnerships, and empowered communities can collectively tackle entrenched health issues. “Change the narrative now” is no longer just a campaign slogan, it is a movement grounded in action, hope, and the belief that every life matters.
