African Leaders Malaria Alliance Appoints UniJos Alumni as Youth Advisor

Odinaka Kingsley Obeta, a graduate of the University of Jos’ Department of Medical Laboratory Science was appointed by the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) as one of the youths to serve on the 11-Member Youth Advisory Council to the ALMA. 

Mr Obeta took to his Facebook page on Thursday to share the news of his appointment. His post reads, “So I woke up to this email from the African Leaders Malaria Alliance notifying me of my confirmation as a member of the 11-Member Youth Advisory Council of ALMA. I didn’t see this coming, it’s such awesome news and the best way to start the mid-week!, Thank you ALMA.” 

According to ALMA, he and the rest of the advisors will serve on the council for the next two years. Before his appointment, Mr Obeta was actively involved in the fight against malaria through the Block Malaria Project, an initiative he started while on the University of Jos campus. 

The malaria champion, who is also a medical journalist, will now actively contribute to the fight against malaria on a continental and global level as malaria remains a significant challenge in Africa.

Over the years, he has volunteered for over 20 different developmental projects cutting across policy-making, health outreaches, youth development and has developed the passion for solving community health problems amongst others.

The continent alone accounts for 93% of global malaria cases and 94% of global malaria deaths. There is an urgent need for action in 10 high-burden African countries, which are responsible for 67% of global malaria cases and 62% of deaths. They are Nigeria, The Democratic Republic of The Congo, Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Angola and Tanzania.  

Founded in 2009, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance is a ground-breaking coalition of African Heads of State and Government working across the country and regional borders to achieve a malaria-free Africa by 2030. All African Union countries are members of ALMA.