Total Partners Oil Companies, Distributes 1,000 Mosquito Nets in Ibadan

Rebecca Ejifoma

Towards eradication of malaria in Oyo State, Total Nigeria has partnered with five oil companies in the distribution of 1,000 insecticide-treated nets to residents with free test to over 500 in communities in the state.

The partner companies are: the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation , National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), SAPETRO, CNOOC and PETROBAS. This was to meet their corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the launch of its 2018 Malaria EliminationProgramme themed, ‘Defeat Malaria’.

The Executive General Manager, CSR, Total, Mr. Vincent Nnamdi, said Total was intervening because, “We are part of a corporate citizen and we believe we should be part of solving a world problem, malaria, being one of them. So, we are distributing 1,000 nets.”

On how Oninyanrin Primary Healthcare Centre was selected, Nnamdi said that they had facilitators, who checked the prevalence of malaria, adding that this was one area that was spotted with very high rate.

“Although the cases of malaria have reduced by 43 per cent in the state, as shown, it doesn’t remove the fact that it is still high around Ibadan; hence, over 500 people will be tested. Also, there are provisions for further treatment for people who tested positive,” he said.

He said Total’s drive was in line with the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) 2014-2020, adding that it outlines the key technical and supporting strategies in the ongoing fight against malaria for this period of time. “And Total in Nigeria continues to identify initiatives with the Roll-Back-Malaria Partnership with governments at all levels to fight malaria.

“Over the years, Total has carried out annual Malaria Elimination Awareness Campaigns on WMDs in several states such as Lagos, Enugu, Ogun, and the Federal Capital Territory.

“In addition to these initiatives, Total and its partners have embarked on institutional capacity development programmes to help in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of malaria among the vulnerable groups – women and children.”

Total disclosed its partnership with the Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe state governments in the construction, furnishing and equipping of four Maternal and Child Referral Centres (MCRCs). And it will be replicated in all the geo-political zones of Nigeria.