World Malaria Day: Lady Helen Obareki takes Sensitisation to Market

 

As part of activities to mark the world Malaria day which holds globally on April 25, the Coordinator of the Office of the Akwa Ibom State First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, on Friday hosted a sensitisation rally against the life-threatening disease at the Akpan Andem Market in Uyo. 

The rally organized by the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) with support from the state Ministry of Health, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Gloesel and other partners, was aimed at raising awareness about the causes, symptoms and prevention of malaria, as well as promote measures to combat the disease in the state. 

Lady Obareki interacted with the market women and traders, educating them on the use of insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and other preventive measures, while emphasizing the need for prompt medical attention to reduce malaria prevalence and promote public health. 

"Keep your environments clean and ensure to use insecticide-treated nets as well as other prevention measures to prevent malaria . If you notice any symptoms of malaria, endeavour to seek medical attention. That is why we came here today. 

"Governor Umo Eno has shown unwavering commitment to reducing the prevalence of malaria in the state. You must also play your part to complement the effort of the government," she said.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, announced that the government of Pastor Umo Eno has covered all costs for malaria testing, drugs and prevention measures. He urged Akwa Ibom citizens to take advantage of free malaria medical treatment and access mosquito nets at public hospitals.

Dr. Ekem emphasized the importance of using the mosquito nets correctly, advising the traders in the market against diverting the nets for farming purposes. He encouraged everyone to sleep under the nets to effectively prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of malaria, announcing a collaboration between Akwa Ibom State Government and Ibom Air over the distribution of 60,000 doses of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) for the prevention of malaria in pregnant women.

In their respective speeches, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Silas and the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Prince Akpan Ikim, emphasized the need for a proactive approach to combating the disease. They urged citizens to maintain a clean environment by cutting overgrown grass, clearing clogged gutters and eliminating stagnant water and refuse, which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Health talks were presented by the President of the Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Akwa Ibom State branch, Dr Uduak Usanga, Chairman of the Association of Lady Pharmacists of Nigeria, (ALPs), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Pharmacist Enobong Akpan and Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, (PSN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Pharmacist Abasiama Uwatt, who spoke on the 2025 Malaria Day global theme "End Malaria with Us", enlightened the market women on how to prevent malaria in their communities by keeping their environment clean, engaging in proper refuse disposal and the appropriate use of the treated mosquito net provided by the government noting that the eradication of malaria is not only the duty of government but a collective responsibility, calling on all to join the fight against the prevalence of the disease in the state.

They advised the market women to seek proper medical attention in government medical facilities when they begin to have symptoms of malaria, correcting the impression that malaria is a death sentence as it can be treated with the right medication.

The sensitization event included several fun games, as well as a dance competition. Winners participated in a raffle draw for a variety of prizes from the Coordinator of the office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki including blenders, electric kettles and other gifts, with every participant receiving mosquito nets, umbrellas, cash, and fez caps. 

Media Unit

Office of the First Lady, AKS

April 25, 2025

COOPA Trains Members on AI Digital Skills

 

...Reveals financial and career-saving opportunities 

Members of the Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA) have been trained on the act of leveraging on Artificial Intelligence (AI), a tech skill which will enhance thier abilities to unlock both financial and career opportunities while surmounting inevitable challenges on their growth journey.

This was the focus of the training session as organised by COOPA at Perly Gate Residence along  Calabar-Itu highway, Uyo, yesterday, Friday, April 26, 2025, themed "Unlocking Earning Potential with AI-Powered Digital Skills." 

During the training session, the resource person, Hannah Graham, who is the founder of TutorTech Initiative, revealed the many dormant opportunities untapped in the tech world with focus on AI availability to ease media engagements responsibly. 

The UK-based tech-savvy went further on a practical session on how to engage AI tools in one's daily work-life and other engagements, which makes task accomplishment much easier when the user is better informed on the usage of these AI tools. 

She debunked the notion that AI emergence in the tech world is impeding creativity and relieving many employees of their job roles. Mrs Graham noted that though AI has come to stay and helping CEOs, individuals, and corporate entities to manoeuvre their official routines easily, it is compelling for all to be accustomed to these tools which have come to stay. "Existing side-by-side with humans is the future which is already here," she said.

She encouraged COOPA members to avail themselves of these innovative tools, like the ChatGPT, which will not only enhance their growth but their capacity as individuals doing business in the online space.

Earlier, in his opening remark, the Chancellor of COOPA, Mr. Utitofon Morgan appreciated the resource person, Hannah Graham, who was the guest speaker on the occasion, for seizing time from her busy schedule to share knowledge with members of COOPA.

Morgan stressed that one of the blueprints of his administration is the training and retraining of COOPA members, which was captured in his manifesto. He urged members to take advantage of the training and maximize the provisions of AI tools in their daily online engagements for optimum media outputs while opening income earning opportunities.

He also seized the opportunity to appreciate the Special Assistant to the Governor on Trade and Market Matters, Mr. Idorenyin Raphael for being one of the facilitators of the event. 

In his goodwill message, the Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno on New/Digital Media, Mr. Richard Okon appreciated the organisers and the resource person for offering the learning platform. He noted that the value of self development can not be underestimated as such training offers an opportunity to learn, relearn, and unlearn. He urged COOPA, who is the organiser, to expand the training  series in the future for more people to benefit and promised to give the necessary support during COOPA's proposed outing later in the year. He added that he wants to align with one of the focuses of the ARISE agenda of Governor Umo Eno's administration which is youth empowerment and skill acquisition. 

In his appreciation speech, the chairman of the training committee and deputy chancellor, COOPA, Prince Simeon Akpan, appreciated the Chancellor of COOPA, the resource person, the SA to the Governor, other facilitators of the training and members of COOPA for making the event a reality. He expressed hope that with the knowledge gained, a lot will change in the output of media engagements of members.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the event was the award of honour to the resource person, Hannah Graham, for her tireless contributions to human capital development and technological advancement within and outside Nigeria where over 2000, mostly women and children have benefited  from her free training on TutorTech Initiative platform.

©️ Enwono-Abasi Elisha