Oreofe, a student of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, clinched the continental title in Harare after outperforming contestants from over 20 African countries.

According to a statement issued Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the victory earned the young champion a $5,000 educational scholarship.

President Tinubu described the achievement as a strong testament to the value of investment in education, literacy, and youth development.

“I firmly believe that this accomplishment not only brings honour to Nigeria on the continental stage but also inspires millions of young Nigerians to strive for academic excellence and personal growth,” the President said.

He added that his administration would continue to strengthen the education sector by creating opportunities for Nigerian youths to thrive and compete globally.

Tinubu also commended Oreofe’s parents, teachers, and mentors for their guidance and support, noting that her latest success builds on a consistent record of excellence.

Prior to her continental triumph, Oreofe placed fifth at the 2025 African Spelling Bee, second at the 2025 Nigeria Spelling Bee, and was runner-up at both the 2023 MTN Spelling Bee and the 2024 Ekiti State Spelling Bee.

The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting young talents, while the Ekiti State Government has reportedly awarded Oreofe financial incentives and pledged to sponsor her, alongside her mother and coach, to represent Africa at the upcoming World Spelling Bee in China.

The event, held at Crystal Hall, Crispan Suites in Jos, was themed “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,” with the slogan “Let’s Do It.” Activities began with a sensitisation health walk from Air Force Roundabout to the venue, aimed at raising public awareness on malaria prevention.

The ceremony attracted key stakeholders,  including development partners, State Malaria Elimination Programme officers, healthcare workers, students of health institutions, and officials from the Plateau State Ministry of Health.

Representing the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Ngo Josephine Piyo, Dr Benjamin Garkuwa Sumi described the day as an opportunity to reflect on progress made and reinforce commitment to ending malaria, a disease he noted remains a major public health burden in Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria accounts for nearly a quarter of global malaria cases and deaths, with an estimated nine to ten deaths occurring every hour due to malaria-related complications. Despite this, he highlighted significant progress, noting that malaria prevalence in the country has declined over the years, while Plateau State has recorded even more remarkable gains.

He disclosed that malaria prevalence in Plateau dropped from 18.8 per cent in 2021 to 2.8 per cent in 2025, attributing the success to coordinated efforts by the State Ministry of Health and the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP), supported by development partners.

Dr. Sumi also cited achievements in key interventions, including over 100 per cent coverage during the 2024 and 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns and a 96 per cent success rate in the 2024 Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) distribution campaign. He added that malaria commodities such as rapid diagnostic kits and treatment drugs are currently being supplied to over 400 health facilities across the state.

He urged residents to adopt preventive measures, including consistent use of treated mosquito nets, environmental sanitation, early testing, and proper antenatal care for pregnant women.

In his remarks, the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, commended stakeholders and partners for their roles in reducing malaria prevalence in the state. He emphasised the importance of environmental sanitation, noting that recent sensitisation campaigns and clean-up exercises were part of broader efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

Baamlong expressed optimism that Plateau could achieve near-zero malaria prevalence in the coming years if collective efforts are sustained, adding that the state currently ranks among the lowest malaria-burden states in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Program Manager of the State Malaria Elimination Programme, Nurse Kizito Ndak, described the celebration as both a milestone and a strategic platform to evaluate progress and chart the way forward.

He credited the reduction in malaria prevalence to interventions by partners such as the Malaria Consortium and other global health initiatives, as well as increased public awareness driven by media campaigns and community outreach activities.

Ndak stressed the need for continued adherence to preventive practices, including maintaining clean environments, eliminating stagnant water, sleeping under treated nets, and seeking prompt medical testing and treatment.

In his keynote address, Dr. Elijah Otopka described malaria as one of the deadliest mosquito-borne diseases globally, noting that Africa accounts for about 95% of deaths, with Nigeria bearing a major burden. He said the campaign against malaria is not just a celebration but a call to urgent action.

Dr Otopka highlighted major progress in Plateau State, where malaria prevalence dropped from 18.8% in 2021 to 2.8% in 2025. He attributed this success to interventions such as insecticide-treated nets, seasonal malaria prevention, rapid testing, and improved treatment services.

He called for increased domestic funding, stronger health systems, and investment in research and innovation. He urged all stakeholders to work together, saying, “We have the tools, the knowledge, and the political will—now we must end malaria.”

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Malaria Consortium, Dr Mbwas Mashor reiterated that while progress has been made, sustained commitment is necessary to prevent a resurgence of the disease. He noted that over one million children in Plateau have benefited annually from preventive malaria treatments under the SMC programme.

He called on government, policymakers, communities, and partners to strengthen investments and adopt data-driven strategies to accelerate malaria elimination.

Similarly, a representative of the World Health Organisation, Muoghah Abere Favour, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Plateau State and Nigeria in combating malaria. She emphasized prevention through the use of treated nets, timely access to treatment, and improved environmental hygiene.

Stakeholders at the event unanimously agreed that while the gains recorded are significant, sustained collaboration and public participation remain critical to achieving a malaria-free Plateau State and Nigeria.