[The council] expected to achieve the goal through resource mobilization, grassroots advocacy, human capital development and several other ways that could be required to achieve the desired goal.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who inaugurated the Council in Abuja, at the weekend, recalled that the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, inaugurated the Council in August, 2022, with a task to reduce malaria burden and improve the quality of lives of all Nigerians.

He said: “By reason of your position and the interest groups you represent, you are members of the Council and so I call on you to ensure that this laudable initiative is beneficial to all especially, our pregnant women and children under five.

[Dangote] explained that the Council was meant to carry out two key functions. First, to ensure that Malaria elimination remains high on Nigeria’s agenda with strong political commitment from leaders at all levels, and secondly, advocate at the National and State levels to ensure sufficient funding to protect the progress made so far, sustain the progress, and be on an irreversible pathway to ending Malaria for good.

He promised that the Council will not fail in its responsibilities, which includes advocacy, resource mobilization and accountability, adding that the Council will be supported by two working groups, the Resource Mobilization Working Group and the Communication and Advocacy Working Group, and they would be made up of representatives of the members of the Council.