Udu Council Boss, Launches Distribution of Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets

By Watchmann

 

In a significant step towards eradicating malaria in Udu Local Government Area, the Executive Chairman, Olorogun (Hon) Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode, JP FCIA, today Monday, 26/05/25, flagged off the Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITN) distribution campaign at the Steve Sokoh Hall of the Udu Council Secretariat, Otor-Udu Town, Udu LGA, Delta State.

Marking the event with personal reflections, Oyibode described May 26 as a deeply symbolic day in his life, being the date he completed the bride price of his wife, who was honored today as the LGA’s Net Advocate.

He described the launch as “historic” and emphasized the critical need for mosquito net usage to prevent malaria—a disease he said remains more deadly in the region than COVID-19.

“Mosquitoes do not discriminate between urban and rural areas,” he said, criticizing the decision to exclude some urban wards (Wards 7, 9, and 10) from the distribution list.

The Council Chairman urged residents to embrace prevention, stressing the high cost of malaria treatment compared to the free nets provided. He also commended health officials and field workers for their dedication.

In a powerful medical breakdown, Dr. Mrs. Mercy Oghoro, Executive Secretary of Udu Primary Health, alongside Mrs. Ekokota Joy, Health Promotion Officer, explained that malaria is caused by the female Anopheles mosquito. They urged residents to seek timely testing at health centers and to take advantage of the free antimalarial drugs available.

“Prevention remains our strongest weapon,” Dr. Oghoro Mercy noted, encouraging cleanliness, elimination of stagnant water, and the use of properly hung insecticide-treated nets.

The First Lady of Udu Local Government Area, Mrs. Abies Oyibode, in her inaugural speech as Net Advocate, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health, the Delta State Ministry of Health, and Roll Back Malaria Partners for the initiative. She vowed to use every available channel to promote net usage across the LGA.

“As Net Advocate, I promise to work with all stakeholders to ensure no child dies from malaria and no pregnant woman suffers complications due to mosquito bites,” she said.

She advised residents to provide accurate information to Community Mobilization Teams during the household registration and reminded them that the distribution period runs from May 26 to 31, 2025. Residents are encouraged to bring their old or damaged nets for replacement and are advised to air new nets under a shade for 24 hours before first use.

The event climaxed with a symbolic demonstration as dignitaries, including the Chairman and his wife, mounted a bed with a treated mosquito net to reinforce the message of prevention through proper net usage.

As the campaign continues across the wards, the people of Udu are urged to collect their nets, hang them properly, and sleep under them every night to ensure a malaria-free community.