By Blessing Odega

The Plateau Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, says the state has recorded a significant decline in malaria prevalence.

Baamlong said this on Saturday, at the 2026 World Malaria Day Symposium organised by Malaria Consortium in collaboration with the State Malaria Eradication Programme (SMEP).

He said that based on the Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS), Plateau moved from 18.8 per cent prevalence in 2021 to 2.8 per cent prevalence rate in 2025, which showed a significant decline in malaria cases especially among children aged three to 59 months.

“Data from NMIS shows a dramatic and unprecedented decline in malaria prevalence 0f 18.8 per cent  in 2021 (NMIS) to 2.8 per cent in 2025 (NMIS).

“This represents an extraordinary 87 per cent reduction, the highest recorded decline among all states of the Federation and the FCT,” he said.

The commissioner further said that Plateau, in 2024 and 2025, through the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP) with support from Malaria Consortium achieved 100 per cent coverage in its seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), implementation, which reached one million children aged 3-59 months old .

He said the prophylaxis was administered monthly from June to October during the peak of malaria transmission in over 12,000 communities across 787 catchment health facilities in the 325 wards of the state.

According to him, the act has led to a drastic decrease in the number of children who developed fever in our health facilities due to malaria disease.

Baamlong, said the state ministry of health through the State Malaria Elimination Program and Development partners such as the Global Health Supply Chain-Procurement Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) were supporting 406 facilities with commodities for people to have access to free testing and treatment especially children under five years and pregnant women.

He further said that this act had significantly reduced Child and Maternal Mortality across the state.

Baamlong attributed the state’s success in malaria elimination to strategic planning, strong leadership, effective partnerships and community engagement.

He said for the state to attain a zero malaria status it was pertinent to strengthen community ownership of malaria prevention, ensure consistent use of insecticide-treated nets, promote early testing and prompt treatment.

He further called for expanded preventive therapies for children and pregnant women and the need to invest in new tools, improve data systems and surveillance and increase domestic financing for health.

Similarly, SMEP Programme Manager, Kizito Ndak, explained that the seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention administered to children under five years was aimed at reducing malaria cases among children three to 59 months old especially during the rainy season when prevalence was highest.

Ndak said, “No child under five should die of malaria, as the SMEP in collaboration with Malaria Consortium had prioritised prevention with the deployment of 7,878 community drug distributors across the 325 wards in the state to administer the medication from house-to-house.”

Kizito noted that Plateau emerged first among all Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention implementing states in Nigeria.

He attributed the feat to strong political will, community engagement, and timely government counterpart funding.

Earlier, Dr Maxwell Kolawole, Malaria Consortium’s West and Central Africa Programmes Director, said that no fewer than one million children in Plateau received the free seasonal malaria chemoprevention drugs in 2024 and 2025.

Kolawole, who was represented by Dr Mashor Mbwas, the State Project Manager for Malaria Consortium in Plateau, said children between three months to 59 months of age were given the preventive prophylaxis.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that World Malaria Day is commemorated annually on April 25. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

The Member representing Pankshin, Kanke, and Kanam Federal Constituency, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, has presented his stewardship scorecard, outlining his legislative achievements, constituency projects, and political direction ahead of the 2027 elections.

Gagdi, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, made the presentation on Saturday, April 25, 2026, during a media parley with journalists, bloggers, content creators, and other media practitioners at his residence in Rayfield, Jos.

Highlighting his performance in the Green Chamber, the lawmaker disclosed that he has sponsored 58 bills at the National Assembly, with six already signed into law by the President. Key among them are the conversion of the Federal College of Education, Pankshin into a Federal University of Education, amendments to the Police Act, and the establishment of both the Admiralty University in Delta State and the National Hydrographic Agency.

On constituency development, Gagdi said his office has facilitated employment opportunities for thousands of constituents in federal agencies. He also pointed to major infrastructure strides across PKK, including the rehabilitation of nine roads in Pankshin, construction of 16 roads in Kanam, and ongoing work on 38 small bridges and three major bridges. Additional interventions include access to potable water and various empowerment programmes.

The lawmaker further revealed that financial support has been extended to educational institutions, including the Federal University in Pankshin, to support their growth and expansion.

Addressing allegations of bias in job placements, Gagdi dismissed claims of religious favoritism, insisting that opportunities are based strictly on merit.

“Employment opportunities are based on competence and credibility, not religion. Both Christians and Muslims have benefited,” he stated.

Gagdi also used the occasion to declare his support for Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, endorsing his bid for a second term. He cited ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly road construction across Pankshin, Kanke, and Kanam, as evidence of the governor’s performance.

“My support is driven by the interest of the people. The governor has demonstrated commitment through visible projects,” he said.

On the issue of zoning, Gagdi expressed confidence in his chances of re-election in 2027, emphasizing that the Nigerian Constitution places no limit on how many times he can contest. He urged political opponents to focus on ideas rather than sentiments.

Reaffirming his commitment to service, the lawmaker pledged to continue advancing development initiatives and fostering national unity. He noted that attracting federal institutions to the constituency remains a key strategy for boosting local growth and expanding opportunities.

Gagdi also called on Nigerians to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acknowledging that while current policies may be challenging, they are aimed at delivering long-term benefits.

First elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, Gagdi has maintained a strong presence in his constituency. As political activities gradually build toward 2027, his performance record and grassroots engagement are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the race in PKK.