Ibom Air has presented ani-malaria medications to the Akwa Ibom State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP) in commemoration of the 2025 World Malaria Day, through its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The donation was made by Mfon Udom, the Airline’s Chief Executive Officer, on April 24, 2025, one day ahead of the global observance of the World Malaria Day under its Fight Against Malaria (FAM) among pregnant women and children pact.
Speaking before the presentation, Udom lamented the impact of malaria in the society saying the donation would help in the prevention malaria attack among women and children.
According to him, there is also the need for awareness among the people on malaria prevention while pledging continued support to the state malaria elimination programme.
He said the donation of anti malaria medications was informed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) report indicating the huge number of pregnant women and children being affected by malaria in Nigeria.
“We needed to pick a project that would have a huge impact on the most vulnerable people Our real flagship project is the right against malaria, imagine the number of pregnant women and children to be affected by the medications,” he said.
Receiving the anti-malaria medications, Ekem John, a medical doctor thanked Ibom Air for being a good corporate citizen as seen by the donation.
He thanked the airline, saying that it would go a long way in reducing maternal mortality, saying that the donation of the medication was in line with Governor Umo Eno’s agenda on health aimed at improving healthcare services in the state.
This year’s World Malaria Day theme, ‘Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest. Reimagine. Reignite,’ resonates strongly with the FAM-pact mission to drive community engagement and amplify conversations around innovative malaria prevention strategies. Malaria remains one of Nigeria’s leading causes of death, especially among pregnant women and children under five, ” he said
He announced plans in partnership with other stakeholders to host an awareness walk tagged “Walk Against Malaria” in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, capital to “feature public sensitisation sessions, free distribution of New Generation, Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), and Health education and community engagement activities.
According to WHO 2023, Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes, mostly found tropical countries while account Nigeria accounts for the highest burden of 26.8percent of malaria deaths in Africa.
Boniface Ukoong, programme manager, Akwa Ibom State Malaria Elimination Project, noted that “the introduction of Dual AI ITNs is our response to rising mosquito resistance in the state. Our mission is to raise awareness on new interventions and promote the adoption of effective malaria prevention tools.”
