Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has been chosen by the Federal Ministry of Health as the Malaria Ambassador for Nigeria.
The Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu who recently disclosed this, stated that Governor Amaechi was selected in recognition of his great efforts in malaria control and related activities in Rivers State.
According to a letter by the Health Minister to the governor, stated that “based on your track record in malaria control and associated activities as well as your unique position as Chairman, Governors’ Forum, I am delighted to invite you to your investiture as Malaria Ambassador for Nigeria.”
“The theme of the 2012 World Malaria Day – ‘Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria’, marks a great history in malaria control. Investments in malaria control have created unprecedented momentum and yielded remarkable returns in the past years. However, these gains are fragile and will be reversed unless malaria remains a top priority in both the national and international political and development agenda”, Prof Chukwu added.
The investiture ceremony of Governor Amaechi as Nigeria’s Malaria Ambassador is slated for Friday, May 4, 2012 at the Alfred Diette-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt.