In a significant move toward combating malaria in Delta State, the Chairman of Udu Local Government Council, Hon. Vincent Oyibode, today welcomed a delegation of health officials to his office in Otor-Udu. The visit, held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, was part of preparations for the official flag-off of the 2025 Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) Campaign.
The ITN campaign, a collaborative initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), seeks to distribute long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets across communities in Udu Local Government Area. It also aims to increase awareness and mobilize grassroots participation in the ongoing fight against malaria—a disease that continues to pose a serious health challenge in Nigeria.
Leading the health delegation, Dr. Mercy Oghoro, Secretary of the Udu Local Government Health Authority, was joined by Mrs. Ekokota Joy, Local Health Promotion Officer, as well as other health representatives. The team highlighted the urgency of strengthening local efforts to eliminate malaria, particularly through community engagement and equitable distribution of preventive tools like ITNs.
During the visit, the health officials appealed to the Council Chairman for vital support in the areas of logistics, funding, venue coordination, transportation, and secure storage of the nets. They emphasized that the quality and effectiveness of the nets rely heavily on proper handling before distribution.
Commending Hon. Oyibode for his proactive leadership and ongoing support of health programs in Udu, the delegation expressed confidence in the Council’s commitment to public health and its ability to ensure the success of the campaign.
In his remarks, Vincent Oyibode reaffirmed the Council’s dedication to improving the welfare of Udu residents. He applauded the Ministry of Health and its partners for their dedication to the malaria elimination agenda and pledged full support for the upcoming campaign.
“The health of our people remains a top priority,” the Chairman stated. “We will provide all necessary assistance to ensure that this campaign is successful and impactful for our communities.”
The visiting delegation included Dr. Mercy Oghoro – Secretary, Udu Local Government Health Authority; Mrs. Joy Ekokota – Local Health Promotion Officer (LHPO); Ritta Owho; Rebecca Ighodarho – Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Representative; Mr. Michael Chukwuma; Emmanuel Samuel and Sunday Egah.
The 2025 ITN Campaign is expected to launch in the coming weeks, with mass distribution and public sensitization efforts taking place across Udu LGA.
